Career and Academic Paths

Most graduates from the B.S. program will enter directly into information processing positions in business, government or the non-profit sector. A significant number of graduates will not end their education at the baccalaureate level, but will enter the information systems M.S. or Ph.D. programs. The master’s program is designed to enhance the qualifications of working professionals and can be earned while working full time.

Graduates from the B.A. program will find their end-user computer skills applicable to many positions in business and government. Often, the student’s other major, minor or certificate program (e.g., public administration or finance) will determine the field in which he or she eventually works. Some students combine the English writing minor with the B.A. degree and may work with B.S. graduates and other systems people writing systems documentation. Information regarding the BTA may be found on page 62 of the catalog.

Academic Advising

Undergraduates are advised by information systems faculty, some of whom specialize in academic advising and some of whom are primarily teachers. For students considering transferring to UMBC, Maryland community colleges have articulated programs that define the courses that will transfer as equivalent to UMBC courses.

Major Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

MATH 155
Elementary Calculus
OR
Its equivalent

AND
IS 147
Introduction to Computer Programming
OR
CMSC 201
Computer Science I for Majors

Courses required for the IS B.S.

IS 101, CMSC 104,
MATH 106
IS 300
Management Information Systems
IS 310
Software and Hardware Concepts
IS 410
Introduction to Database Design
IS 420
Database Application Development
IS 425
Decision Support Systems
IS 436
Structured Systems Analysis and Design
IS 450
Data Communications and Networks
IS 451
Network Design and Management
Any upper-level IS course, not to include IS 399, IS 400, IS 468 or IS 469

MATH 155*
Elementary Calculus
*    Students entering Maryland higher education prior to fall 2004 may substitute MATH 151 for MATH 155. Students entering Maryland higher education in fall 2004 with the equivalent of MATH 151 should complete MATH 152 in place of MATH 155.

MATH 215
Finite Mathematics for Information Science
OR
MATH 221
Linear Algebra

STAT 351
Applied Statistics for Business and Economics

IS 147
Introduction to Computer Programming
OR
CMSC 201
Computer Science I for Majors

IS 247 Computer Programming II
OR
CMSC 202
Computer Science II for Majors

ECAD 210
The Practice of Management
ECON 101
Principles of Economics I
ECON 102
Principles of Economics II
ECON 121
Principles of Accounting I
ECON 122
Principles of Accounting II
ENGL 393
Technical Writing

Certificate Programs

Auditing for Information Systems (27 credit hours)
The objective of this program is to prepare the student for entry positions in the IT audit field and for certification as an information systems auditor. While open to all majors, the target audience is the BTA or IS major who is interested in the accounting and auditing field, and the ECON or FIEC major who is completing the accounting certificate. The interdisciplinary combination of information technology knowledge and accounting and auditing skills will provide the student a competitive advantage in this growing field upon their graduation.

Note: that this is an upper-division certificate. Prerequisites to the courses listed will be required.

IS 300
Management of Information Systems
IS 350
Business Communication Systems
IS 430
Information Systems and Security
ECON 301
Intermediate Accounting I
IS/ECAC 317
Accounting Information Systems
ECAC 321
Auditing Theory and Practice
IS 474 or ECAD 360
Legal Aspects of Information Systems or Business Law
IS 304 or ECAD 385
Ethical Issues in Information Systems or Business Ethics
IS 417/ECAC 420
Information Systems Auditing

Certificate in Management Science (49 credits)

A. Core Curriculum (18 credits)

ECON 101
Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102
Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 121
Principles of Accounting I
ECON 122
Principles of Accounting II

ENGL 391
Intermediate Exposition
OR
ENGL 393
Technical Writing

ECAD 489
Seminar in Management and Administration
OR
ECAD 210
Practice of Management

B. Management Science Concentration (31 credits)

ECAC 329
Cost Accounting
ECAC 351
Advanced Cost Accounting
Note: HAPP majors may substitute HAPP 498 for ECAC 351.
ECON 311
Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis

ECON 374
Fundamentals of Financial Management
OR
ECON 309
Survey of Economics and Finance for Scientists and Engineers

ECAD 385
Business Ethics and Society
OR
ECAD 360
Business Law

STAT 350
Statistics With Applications
OR
STAT 351
Applied Statistics for Business and Economics
OR
STAT 355
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers

ECON 320
Elements of Quantitative Methods for Management
OR
IS 325
Introduction to Management Science
OR
MATH 381
Linear Methods in Operations Research
One introductory CMSC
OR
IS course

ECON 405
Benefit Cost Evaluation
ECON 415
Property Rights, Organizations and Management
ECON 421
Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 423
Economic Forecasting
ECAD 410
Production Management
ECON 408
Managerial Economics
ECON 352
Industrial Relations
ECON 417
Economics of Strategic Interaction

Decision Making Support Certificate (12 credits)

IS 325
Management Science
IS 425
Decision Support Systems
At least two of the following:
IS 427
Artificial Intelligence
IS 428
Data Mining Techniques and Application
IS 438
Project Management
IS 489E
Enterprise Resource Planning

M.B.A. Preparatory Studies (40 credits)

A. Core Curriculum (18 credits)

ECON 101
Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102
Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 121
Principles of Accounting I
ECON 122
Principles of Accounting II

ENGL 391
Intermediate Exposition
OR
ENGL 393
Technical Writing

ECAD 489
Seminar in Management and Administration

B. Business Concentration (22 credits)

STAT 350
Statistics With Applications
OR
STAT 351
Applied Statistics for Business and Economics
OR
STAT 355
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers

MATH 155
Elementary Calculus I
OR
MATH 151
Calculus and Analytical Geometry

ECON 374
Fundamentals of Financial Management
OR
ECON 309
Survey of Economics and Finance for Scientists and Engineers

ECAD 385
Business Ethics and Society
OR
ECAD 360
Business Law

ECAD 410
Production Management

ECAD 425
Marketing An introductory-level IS
OR
CMSC course

Network Administration Certificate (15 credits)

IS 450
Data Communications and Networks
IS 451
Network Design and Management
IS 452
Internetworking
At least two of the following:
IS 430
Information Systemsand Security
IS 451M
LAN Management Using Microsoft
IS 451U
LAN Management Using UNIX
IS 451W Server-Side Web Systems

Web Development Certificate (15 credits)

IS 247
Computer Programming II
IS 303
Human Factors in Computer Systems Design
At least three of the following:
IS 387
Web Content Development
IS 403
User Interface Design
IS 413
GUI Systems Using Java
IS 448
Markup and Scripting Languages

Departmental Honors for Undergraduates in the IS B.S. Program

The departmental honors program recognizes academic excellence for those students choosing to engage in a series of enhanced learning experiences offered by the
department.

For more information concerning departmental honors, please contact your academic advisor in the IS department.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Program

The B.S./M.S. degree program allows the student to complete both degrees with one more year of study than is typically required for the B.S. degree alone, because three of the courses in the master’s core are taken in the senior year and applied to both degrees.

Admission to the B.S./M.S. Program

Students who are interested in the B.S./M.S. program should discuss their interest with a department advisor as early as the sophomore year.

A student should request acceptance into the program in the first semester of the junior year. This will be the semester following the one in which 60 credits have been earned toward the B.S. degree.

To be eligible for this program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at UMBC and all other institutions attended. This is a minimum requirement, and attainment of a 3.2 GPA does not guarantee admission to the combined degree program. The admission decision is determined on an individual basis taking into account the student’s past record, expected future performance and how well the combined program would meet the student’s educational objectives.

Applicants for the combined program must have completed the IS gateway and be enrolled in IS 410 prior to applying for the combined program. Students should be aware of the current requirements for admission to the department’s master-level graduate programs so they will complete coursework meeting these same requirements or their equivalents. Applicants should have completed or have those courses under way prior to applying for the B.S./M.S. program.

Students seeking admission to the combined program should complete the combined B.S./M.S. application form, including instructor recommendations, and send it to the director, undergraduate programs, IS, with an official UMBC transcript and official transcripts from any other college(s) attended. The undergraduate director will review the application and make a recommendation to the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee, which makes the admission decision. Students are notified of the decision, and the Graduate School is also informed when a student is accepted. This acceptance is by the IS department only; the student still must formally apply to and be accepted by the Graduate School to finish the master’s portion of the program.

Acceptance into the combined program neither obligates the student to complete the program beyond the B.S. degree, nor does it obligate the department to admit the student into the graduate program when he or she applies formally to the Graduate School. If the Graduate School finds reason to reject a student’s application, that decision is binding, even though the student may have been accepted into the combined degree program by the IS department.

B.S./M.S. Program Regulations and Procedures

Once admitted to the combined program, the student must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. No more than two “C” grades may be received in all courses taken after admission. If the GPA falls below 3.0, or if more than two “C”s are received, the student will be removed from the combined program. This does not affect the student’s eligibility for the B.S. degree under normal university undergraduate requirements. Any one “D” or “F” also results in removal from the combined program.

Students in the combined program must formally apply for admission to the UMBC Graduate School before the Graduate School’s application deadline during the semester in which the course work for the B.S. is completed.

No more than nine credits of graduate courses may be taken while the student is paying undergraduate tuition.

Students in the combined program must take three of the courses required for the undergraduate major as graduate courses under their graduate course numbers.

These are IS 620 (in place of 420), IS 625 or IS 603 (in place of IS 425), and IS 636 (in place of IS 436). These courses count for both degrees; therefore, a minimum of 21 credits is required for the master’s degree. For additional information about M.S. requirements, see the M.S. section of this document or the Graduate School Catalog.

Special Opportunities

UMBC has a very large and active cooperative education and internship program. All information systems students are encouraged to participate in co-ops or internships. The practical work experience gained is valued by employers in the field and is of considerable help in finding a job after graduation. One-third to one-half of IS majors take advantage of these opportunities.

The IS department has an exciting opportunity for IS students who wish to study abroad. We have an exchange program with the National University of Ireland in Galway. Please see the undergraduate program director in the IS department for details.

Student Organizations

Information Systems Council of Majors

The Information Systems Council of Majors offers programs and tours in areas of interest to students. Council members also have opportunities to attend meetings of computer-related professional societies.