Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.01.05

Management Information Systems

Chair and Professor: Dr. Grifin, 450-3110
Professor: Dr. Bell, Dr. McGaughey
Associate Professors: Dr. Downey, Dr. Friedman, Dr. Zeltmann
Assistant Professors: Dr. Bartczak, Dr. McMurtrey, Mr. Weller
Instructors: Ms. Barber, Ms. Smith

[1] Objectives

The Department of Management Information Systems offers major and minor programs of study designed to prepare students for careers in developing and implementing computer-based systems. MIS students learn how to utilize the power of computer technologies to reduce costs and improve organizational effectiveness. MIS graduates use their understanding of business processes and computer technologies to help create and improve computer-based systems which are critical to the success of almost all modern organizations.

The degree programs in MIS prepare students for careers in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations as systems analysts, programmers, database developers and website managers. After several years experience and with additional training graduates can aspire to become project managers, database administrators, network managers, and directors of the information systems function within their organizations.

The MIS program at UCA currently offers four different track specializations within the major. Across these track specializations are six different courses with follow-up courses for advanced study. This MIS program offers students an unusual breadth of study (four specialization tracks) and an unusual depth of study (advanced courses in six areas) compared to other MIS programs in Arkansas and the region.

[2] Departmental Undergraduate Scholars Program

The MIS department is pleased to offer an opportunity for outstanding students to be named undergraduate scholars in Management Information Systems. Students with senior status and overall and major grade point averages of 3.25 are eligible to apply for participation in this program. Undergraduate scholars in MIS must successfully complete MIS 4390 under the direction of an MIS faculty member. Students who qualify and are interested should apply to the MIS Department Chair. Participation is not assured even if the grade point average thresholds are met.

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration

The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in management information systems requires successful completion of 124 hours including (1) the general education component; (2) the BBA foundation and core requirements; (3) the major requirements listed below; and (4) electives to bring total credit hours to 124. Students majoring in management information systems choose one of four track specializations.

[3.1] Web Development/E-Commerce Track

The Web Development/E-Commerce Track is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working with organizational websites and electronic commerce. Graduates from the Web Development/E-Commerce track typically develop and maintain sites on the World Wide Web and their interfaces to other organizational computer systems. Requirements for the Web Development/E-Commerce track are as follows:

Major in MIS, Web Development/E-Commerce Track (24 or 25 hours)

MIS 1370 or CSCI 1470; MIS 3328, 3363, 3365, 3366, 4339, 4366; and 3 hours from WRTG 3310, MIS 3362, 4329, 4350, 4362, 4370 4380, 4382.

[3.2] Programmer/Analyst Track

The Programmer/Analyst Track is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working as system designers and system builders in a large organization. Graduates from the Programmer/Analyst track typically work with non-technical managers and staff along with computer scientists and technicians in designing and building large computer-based systems and corporate computer infrastructures. Requirements for the Programmer/Analyst track are as follows:

Major in MIS, Programmer/Analyst Track (24, 25, 26 hours)

MIS 1370 or CSCI 1470; MIS 3301, 3328, 3363, 3365, 4329; and choose two from WRTG 3310, CSCI 1480, 3335, MIS 3362, 3366, 4301, 4339, 4350, 4362, 4366, 4370, 4382.

[3.3] GIS/Spatial Systems Track

The GIS/Spatial Systems Track is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working with electronic mapping systems. These systems are used extensively by federal, state, and local government agencies. Utility companies which provide electric power, natural gas, water, sewer, cable, and telephone almost all use these systems. Many other employers are also interested in GIS/Spatial system technologies. Requirements for the GIS/Spatial Systems track are as follows:

Major in MIS, GIS/Spatial Systems Track (24 or 25 hours)

MIS 1370 or CSCI 1470; MIS 3328, MIS 3362 or 4339, 3363, 3365, GEOG 2375, 3303, and either GEOG 3307 or 4330.

[3.4] Telecommunications & Computer Networks Track

The Telecommunications & Computer Networks Track is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs in the telecommunications industry or as networking specialists. One focus of this track is computer networking which is widely used in almost all organizations today. This focus is blended with a focus on the telecommunications industry. Graduates will have studied traditional wireline technologies, wireless technologies, and computer networks of various types. Requirements for the Telecommunications & Computer Networks track are as follows:

Major in MIS, Telecommunications & Computer Networks Track (24, 25, 26 hours)

MIS 1370 or CSCI 1470; MIS 3328, MIS 3362 or 4339 or CSCI 1480, 3363, 3365, 3366, 4363, CSCI 3335.

[3.5] Minor in Information Systems (21, 22 or 23 hours)

Minors in MIS cannot be business majors. Accordingly minors will lack exposure to the business foundation and core which supports a primary function of the major. The focus of the minor then shifts to developing computer programming and technical competence.

Students must apply to minor in management information systems. Students must hold a minimum overall GPA of 2.25 at the time of applying for a minor in MIS and earn a C or better in all MIS courses in the minor program of study.

Specific course requirements for the MIS minor are determined by the MIS department chair in consultation with the student to best support the student's major and interests. Accordingly, the following course requirements are to serve as a guideline:

MIS 1370 or CSCI 1470; MIS 2343, 3301, 3328, MIS 3362 or 4339 or CSCI 3345, MIS 3325 or CSCI 3360, MIS 3363 or 4301 or 4339 or 4362 or CSCI 1480 or MATH 4371.

[4] Practical Work Experience for Credit - Internships and Projects

The MIS department offers credit for practical work experience in the discipline. Students may intern with an employer during any semester or across semesters as best fits the needs of the student and the employer. Students may also work with faculty on a project of interest to both the student and the faculty member. Internship credit (MIS 3382, 4382) and project credit (MIS 4380) provide upper-division MIS credit to the student and serve as elective hours in the major for all MIS tracks. See the MIS department chair for more information.

[5] Courses in Management Information Systems (MIS)

Follow this link for MIS course descriptions: course link.

[6] Courses in Quantitative Methods (QMTH)

Follow this link for QMTH course descriptions: course link.