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Information Systems (IS), found within the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is an internationally recognized undergraduate major for students who want to design and implement effective solutions to meet organizational, societal and management needs for information and decision support.
In today's complex, interconnected world, the effective creation, distribution, and use of information via technology is central to daily life. Computer based information systems facilitate, enable and often define the relationships between corporations and consumers, buyers and suppliers, businesses of all sizes, social networks, and citizens and their governments. Understanding these relationships and effectively addressing the collection, flow, and distribution of information is vital to running a modern organization, enterprise or government agency.
Information Systems involves the effective design, delivery, use and impact of information and communications technologies in organizations and society. The importance of information technology and information systems to organizations and the need for well-educated professionals in the field is the basis for the Information Systems curriculum at Carnegie Mellon. Whether implementing applications, providing management or decision support, managing complex systems projects, or helping organizations design business processes or cope with rapid change, IS professionals fill an essential need across all sectors of society.
Information systems students at Carnegie Mellon learn to use, manage and deploy information technologies to address real problems or opportunities. They develop a solid foundation in computing, communications, as well as software development principles, languages, and methods. Since Information Systems generally operate within organizations, IS students study social sciences and organizational theory. IS students learn how to right-size information technology solutions to meet real-world economic and organizational constraints. Information Systems students also learn, through hands-on experience, the importance of professional communications, problem analysis, critical thinking and teamwork.Building on the multi-disciplinary strengths of the university and the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, graduates in Information Systems are ideally suited to take a leading role in shaping our information-based future.
The flexible nature of the program encourages students to explore their own interests through program electives, study in a contemporary content area or through optional second majors and minors.
IS students are well prepared to pursue graduate work in a wide range of fields. For students interested in master's degree-level graduate work at Carnegie Mellon, there are many possibilities, including accelerated Masters degree programs in Information Systems Management, Human Computer Interaction, Information Security Policy and Management, Engineering Technology and Innovation Management, and Business Administration.
IS graduates continue to be in high demand in the information-age workplace. There has been a strong job market for IS students in recent years, and national trends indicate that this is likely to continue. IS majors often take jobs in consulting companies, major software firms, large corporations, and start-up companies. Internship opportunities closely parallel the job market.
In addition to the Dietrich College General Education Requirements and basic prerequisites in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, IS students must complete the Professional Core, the Disciplinary Core and a focused Content Area. In the Professional Core (consisting of six courses), students learn the basic skills necessary to analyze, design, implement and test high-quality, cost effective information systems. Two of the Professional Core courses are project-based experiences in which small teams of students develop and deliver solutions to real information problems.
In the Disciplinary Core (consisting of three courses), students study key areas fundamental to understanding and solving problems in information systems: professional communications; quantitative analysis and research methods; and organizations, policy, and social science.
IS students also complete three courses within one Content Area. The content areas are designed to provide students an opportunity to gain additional depth in a focused area. Currently, twelve content areas are available: (1) Business / Enterprise Systems, (2) Computing and Information Systems & Technology, (3) Social and Global Systems, (4) Quantitative Analysis, (5) Game Design, (6) Animation and Special Effects, (7) Media Design, (8) Learning Media, (9) Sound Design, (10) Entrepreneurship for Creative Industries, (11) Intelligent Environments, (12) Physical Computing. Content areas (5) through (12) are offered through CMU's Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) initiative combining arts and technology.
The Information Systems major is offered only as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. In addition to major requirements outlined below, all Information Systems students must fulfill the General Education requirements for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. A total of 360 units is required for the degree.
Requirements are subject to revision. Advisor approval is required for each student's major curriculum plan. Any proposed course substitutions to courses required for the IS major must be approved in advance by the IS Academic Advisor.
PREREQUISITES
Information Systems requires completion of prerequisite courses in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. All prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to the start of Fall semester, junior year.
Mathematics and Statistics
Complete one of the following calculus sequences:
Units | ||
21-111 | Calculus I | 10 |
21-112 | Calculus II | 10 |
OR
Units | ||
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-256 | Multivariate Analysis (Required for advanced business courses) |
9 |
OR
Units | ||
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation (Required for advanced computer science courses) |
10 |
AND also complete:
Units | ||
36-201 | Statistical Reasoning and Practice | 9 |
Computer Science
Three Computer Science courses are required. To maintain normal progress toward the Information Systems degree, students must complete 15-121 Introduction to Data Structures prior to the start of Spring Semester, sophomore year.
Students entering the program as freshmen will have the option to complete a Computer Science Placement Test. Depending on appropriate Advanced Placement credit and/or results of the Computer Science Placement Test, entering students may place directly into 15-112 or 15-121. 15-110 is taken as the first Computer Science prerequisite unless a student places directly into 15-112 or 15-121. Most students entering the program will begin the sequence with 15-110.
Units | ||
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
15-121 | Introduction to Data Structures | 10 |
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both 15-104 Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice and 15-110 Principles of Computing.
PROFESSIONAL CORE
The Professional Core consists of six courses (five core courses and one core elective).
Complete all five of these courses:
Units | ||
67-250 | The Information Systems Milieux (Spring Semester Only) |
9 |
67-262 | Database Design and Development (Fall Semester Only) |
9 |
67-272 | Application Design and Development (Spring Semester Only) |
9 |
67-373 | Software Development Project (Spring Semester Only) |
12 |
67-475 | Innovation in Information Systems (Fall Semester Only) |
12 |
Core courses are only offered once per academic year.
Note: Students transferring into Information Systems may substitute 67-344 Organizational Intelligence in the Information Age for 67-250 The Information Systems Milieux.
Professional Core Elective
Plus, complete 6 to 12 units chosen from the following options:
Units | ||
19-402 | Telecommunications Technology, Policy & Management | 12 |
67-306 | Special Topics: Management of Computer and Information Systems | 6 |
67-308 | Innovation Studio: Health Care Information Systems | 9 |
67-309 | Special Topics | 6 |
67-311 | Database Design and Implementation | 9 |
67-319-67-331 | Global Technology Consulting Groundwork - Technology Consulting in the Global Community (these two courses are taken sequentially) |
6 |
67-327 | Web Application Security | 6 |
67-328 | Mobile to Cloud: Building Distributed Applications | 9 |
67-329 | Contemporary Themes in Global Systems | 9 |
67-330 | Technology Consulting in the Community | 9 |
67-344 | Organizational Intelligence in the Information Age | 9 |
67-353 | IT & Environmental Sustainability | 6 |
67-362 | Big Data and Analytics | 9 |
67-364 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
67-370 | Intelligent Decision Support Systems | 9 |
67-442 | Mobile Application Development in iOS | 9 |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 9 |
OR Any Computer Science course above 15-121 with prerequisite of 15-112 or higher.
OR Any Human-Computer Interaction course (05-xxx).
OR other pre-approved 67-3xx or 67-4xx which may be offered from time to time. Students wishing to apply such courses to their Professional Core requirement must complete a course substitution application through the IS Academic Advisor.
OR other pre-approved courses offered by the Engineering & Public Policy Department (19-xxx).
NOTE: 67-1xx and 67-2xx courses may not be applied to this requirement.
DISCIPLINARY CORE
Complete one course (9 units) from each of the three Disciplinary Core categories.
Professional Communications
Information systems professionals communicate with a wide range of people in most organizations and often facilitate communications between diverse groups of stakeholders. Consequently, the most successful professionals typically are those with strong communication skills. These courses help students see that the structure and presentation of information affects how well (and how easily) it can be understood and used.
Complete one course (9 units). It is recommended that this requirement be completed by the end of junior year:
Units | ||
05-341 | Organizational Communication | 9 |
15-221 | Technical Communication for Computer Scientists | 9 |
36-315 | Statistical Graphics and Visualization | 9 |
51-261 | Communication Design Fundamentals: Design for Interactions for Communications | 9 |
or 51-262 | Communication Design Fundamentals: Design for Interactions for Communications | |
70-321 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | 9 |
70-340 | Business Communications | 9 |
70-341 | Organizational Communication | 9 |
70-342 | Managing Across Cultures | 9 |
76-270 | Writing for the Professions | 9 |
76-272 | Language in Design | 9 |
88/70/85-341 | Organizational Communication | 9 |
Quantitative Analysis and Research Methods
This area focuses on decision making and data analysis — essential to development of useful information systems. this area exposes students to analytic methods in the social sciences and quantitative methods for approaching complex methods.
Complete one course (9 units). It is recommended that this requirement be completed in the sophomore year:
Units | ||
21-257 | Models and Methods for Optimization | 9 |
21-325 | Probability | 9 |
36-202 | Statistical Methods | 9 |
36/70-208 | Regression Analysis | 9 |
36-217 | Probability Theory and Random Processes | 9 |
36-225 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 9 |
36-303 | Sampling, Survey and Society | 9 |
36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral and Social Sciences | 9 |
67-362 | Big Data and Analytics | 9 |
67-364 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
67-370 | Intelligent Decision Support Systems | 9 |
80-305 | Rational Choice | 9 |
80-405 | Game Theory | 9 |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 9 |
88-251 | Empirical Research Methods | 9 |
Organizations, Policy, and Social Science
The focus of this area is on how organizations function in modern social and economic environments. Students will develop a greater understanding of how social policy and technology influence organizations and how they operate.
Complete one course (9 units):
Units | ||
08-200/19-211 | Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing | 9 |
15-390/70-421 | Entrepreneurship for Computer Science | 9 |
19-402 | Telecommunications Technology, Policy & Management | 12 |
19-411 | Global Competitiveness: Firms, Nations and Technological Change | 9 |
67-308 | Innovation Studio: Health Care Information Systems | 9 |
67-321 | Social Informatics | 6 |
67-344 | Organizational Intelligence in the Information Age | 9 |
67-353 | IT & Environmental Sustainability | 6 |
70-311 | Organizational Behavior | 9 |
70-332 | Business, Society and Ethics | 9 |
70/85/88-341 | Organizational Communication | 9 |
70-342 | Managing Across Cultures | 9 |
70-414 | Entrepreneurship for Engineers | 9 |
70-415 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 9 |
70-416 | New Venture Creation | 9 |
70-420 | Entrepreneurship for Scientists | 9 |
70-437 | Organizational Learning and Strategic Management | 9 |
80-341 | Computers, Society and Ethics | 9 |
88-220 | Policy Analysis I | 9 |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 9 |
88-260 | Organizations | 9 |
CONTENT AREA
Complete a minimum of 27 units from one of the Content Areas below. No Content Area course may also be used to fulfill a Disciplinary Core or Professional Core requirement.
Business/Enterprise Systems
This content area broadens a student's knowledge in the business, economics and policy aspects of large scale information systems.
Units | ||
19-402 | Telecommunications Technology, Policy & Management | 12 |
19-411 | Global Competitiveness: Firms, Nations and Technological Change | 9 |
67-301 | Networks and Telecommunications | 9 |
67-306 | Special Topics: Management of Computer and Information Systems | 6 |
67-308 | Innovation Studio: Health Care Information Systems | 9 |
67-309 | Special Topics | 6 |
67-311 | Database Design and Implementation | 9 |
67-317 | Mobile Web Development and Usability Testing | 9 |
67-319-67-331 | Global Technology Consulting Groundwork - Technology Consulting in the Global Community (these two courses are taken sequentially) |
6 |
67-328 | Mobile to Cloud: Building Distributed Applications | 9 |
67-330 | Technology Consulting in the Community | 9 |
67-344 | Organizational Intelligence in the Information Age | 9 |
67-353 | IT & Environmental Sustainability | 6 |
67-370 | Intelligent Decision Support Systems | 9 |
67-442 | Mobile Application Development in iOS | 9 |
70-332 | Business, Society and Ethics | 9 |
70-366 | Intellectual Property and E-Commerce | 6 |
70-371 | Operations Management | 9 |
70-414 | Entrepreneurship for Engineers | 9 |
or 70-415 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | |
or 70-420 | Entrepreneurship for Scientists | |
or 70-421 | Entrepreneurship for Computer Scientists | |
70-437 | Organizational Learning and Strategic Management | 9 |
70-438 | Commercialization and Innovation | 9 |
70-443 | Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy | 9 |
70-449 | Social, Economic and Information Networks | 9 |
70-455 | Modern Data Management | 9 |
70-460 | Mathematical Models for Consulting | 9 |
70/73-465 | Technology Strategy | 9 |
70-471 | Supply Chain Management | 9 |
70-476 | Service Operations Management | 9 |
73-359 | Benefit-Cost Analysis | 9 |
73-469 | Global Electronic Markets: Economics and the Internet | 9 |
76-391 | Document & Information Design | 12 |
76-487 | Web Design | 12 |
Computing and Information Systems & Technology
This content area allows students to focus on current and emerging technologies.
Units | ||
05-391 | Designing Human Centered Software | 12 |
05-410 | User-Centered Research and Evaluation | 12 |
05-430 | Programming Usable Interfaces | 15 |
05-431 | Software Structures for User Interfaces | 15 |
05-432 | Personalized Online Learning | 12 |
05-433 | Programming Usable Interfaces OR Software Structures for Usable Interfaces | 6 |
05-499 | Special Topics in HCI | Var. |
16-311 | Introduction to Robotics | 12 |
16-362 | Mobile Robot Programming Laboratory | 12 |
19-411 | Global Competitiveness: Firms, Nations and Technological Change | 9 |
60-415 | Advanced ETB: 3D Animation | 10 |
67-311 | Database Design and Implementation | 9 |
67-317 | Mobile Web Development and Usability Testing | 9 |
67-327 | Web Application Security | 6 |
67-328 | Mobile to Cloud: Building Distributed Applications | 9 |
67-362 | Big Data and Analytics | 9 |
67-364 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
67-442 | Mobile Application Development in iOS | 9 |
Any 15-xxx course above 15-121 with prerequisite of 15-112 or higher |
Social and Global Systems
This content area exposes students to key themes in globalization and global systems . management, policy, international business, and technology.
Units | ||
19-402 | Telecommunications Technology, Policy & Management | 12 |
19-411 | Global Competitiveness: Firms, Nations and Technological Change | 9 |
67-319-67-331 | Global Technology Consulting Groundwork - Technology Consulting in the Global Community (these two courses are taken sequentially) |
6 |
67-321 | Social Informatics | 6 |
67-329 | Contemporary Themes in Global Systems | 9 |
67-330 | Technology Consulting in the Community | 9 |
67-353 | IT & Environmental Sustainability | 6 |
70-342 | Managing Across Cultures | 9 |
70-365 | International Trade and International Law | 9 |
70-430 | International Management | 9 |
70-480 | International Marketing | 9 |
73-372 | International Money and Finance | 9 |
76-318 | Communicating in the Global Marketplace | 9 |
76-386 | Language & Culture | 9 |
79-318 | Sustainable Social Change: History and Practice | 9 |
79-381 | Energy and Empire: How Fossil Fuels Changed the World | 9 |
88-371 | Entrepreneurship, Regulation and Technological Change | 9 |
88-384 | Conflict and Conflict Resolution in International Relations | 9 |
88-411 | Rise of the Asian Economies | 9 |
Additionally, other pre-approved courses offered by the Engineering & Public Policy Department (19-xxx) may be used to fulfill the Social and Global Systems Content Area.
Quantitative Analysis
Students will learn to apply analytic and quantitative methods for approaching complex, ambiguous problems.
Units | ||
21-257 | Models and Methods for Optimization | 9 |
21-292 | Operations Research I | 9 |
36/70-208 | Regression Analysis | 9 |
36-217 | Probability Theory and Random Processes | 9 |
or 36-225 | Introduction to Probability Theory | |
36-303 | Sampling, Survey and Society | 9 |
36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral and Social Sciences | 9 |
36-350 | Statistical Computing | 9 |
36-401 | Modern Regression | 9 |
36-410 | Introduction to Probability Modeling | 9 |
or 36-46x Topics in Statistics |
||
67-362 | Big Data and Analytics | 9 |
67-364 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
67-370 | Intelligent Decision Support Systems | 9 |
70-460 | Mathematical Models for Consulting | 9 |
70-462 | Stochastic Modeling and Simulations | 9 |
73-274 | Econometrics I | 9 |
73-374 | Econometrics II | 9 |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 9 |
88-251 | Empirical Research Methods | 9 |
INTEGRATIVE DESIGN, ARTS, AND TECHNOLOGY (IDEATE) CONTENT AREAS:
An IDeATe content area consists of a minimum of 27 units which may include one Portal Course (other than 15-104 Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice) plus 2 courses from one of the areas below.
Game Design (IDeATe)
In this content area, students will learn both theory and skill in the key areas of games: dramatic narrative and character development, visual and sound synthesis, special effects and performance capture, programming and engine development, interface and interaction architecture development, game assessment and redesign. Please visit the Game Design websitefor information about available courses.
Animation and Special Effects (IDeATe)
The interconnected components of performance capture, rendering, 3D and 2D animation, and special effects will be covered in this content area. Course information can be found at the Animation and Special Effects website.
Media Design (IDeATe)
The digital mediation of experiences content area explores the interconnected development of technology and content in new media systems and the meaning that arises from the resulting forms. Students learn to design mediated experiences across different platforms, from mobile to large-scale installations. Course information can be found on the Media Design website.
Learning Media (IDeATe)
Students in this content area will combine their diverse skills for the design of effective new media systems for learning; from games for learning to tangible learning tool kits and remote learning systems. They will leverage new technologies, media arts knowledge, and learning science principles to create engaging experiences with measurable real world impact. For course information, please visit the Learning Media website.
Sound Design (IDeATe)
This content area will explore the processes and products of digital sound and music. Students will receive basic training in key areas: principles of computer music, hybrid instrument building, concepts in sound design. 62-150 Intro to Signal Processing for Creative Practice (10 units) is the required portal course for this content area and will serve as one of the courses for this content area. Course information can be found at the Sound Design website.
Entrepreneurship for Creative Industries (IDeATe)
Students in this content area will develop the knowledge and skills to lead and innovate in creative industries. Their interdisciplinary, hands-on coursework will emphasize the conceptualization of innovative products and the structuring of innovation processes. Courses and additional information can be found at the Entrepreneurship for Creative Industries website.
Intelligent Environments (IDeATe)
The focus of this content area is on spaces that support efficiency and high quality of experience, addressing both the integrated development of such environments and the resulting experience.
The required portal course for this content area is 62-150 Intro to Signal Processing for Creative Practice (10 units) or 16-223/60-223 IDeATE: Introduction to Physical Computing (10 units) and will serve as one of the courses for this content area. Course information can be found at the Intelligent Environments website.
Physical Computing (IDeATe)
The barriers between computing devices and their users have slowly dissolved. The physical world is becoming a key interface for computing and the internet of things is becoming the next generation of connectivity. Students in this content area will explore the technical, experiential, and semantic issues of this evolution. Course information can be found on the Physical Computing website.
DOUBLE COUNTING OF COURSES
"Double Counting" refers to instances when a course taken to fulfill one requirement counts simultaneously toward a requirement in another major or minor program. Double Counting is permitted in the Dietrich College on a very limited basis. Information Systems students may double count no more than two courses used to fulfill any Information Systems major requirement (beyond the Dietrich College General Education requirements and Prerequisite courses) with any combination of dual degrees, additional majors, minors or graduate degree programs. Only one course may double count with any minor. No course can count for more than one requirement within the major. Students must also adhere to any policy restrictions on double counting enforced by the academic department of the student's additional major or minor.
COURSE REPEATS
Per university policy, when a course is repeated, all grades will be recorded on the official academic transcript and will be calculated in the student's QPA. This is the case regardless if the first grade for the course is a passing or failing grade.
Undergraduate students who wish to repeat a course already passed must obtain approval from the student's Dean or Department Head. When a student takes a course s/he has already passed, only one set of units will count towards graduation requirements.
Information Systems Sample Curriculum
Freshman | Sophomore | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
67-100 Information Systems Freshman Workshop | 67-250 The Information Systems Milieux | 67-262 Database Design and Development | 67-272 Application Design and Development |
15-110 Principles of Computing | 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 15-121 Introduction to Data Structures | Disciplinary Core Course |
21-111 Calculus I | 21-112 Calculus II | Disciplinary Core Course | Elective Course |
36-201 Statistical Reasoning and Practice | 76-101 Interpretation and Argument | Elective Course | Elective Course |
Freshman Seminar | 79-104 Global Histories | Elective Course | Elective Course |
99-101 Computing @ Carnegie Mellon | |||
Elective Course |
Junior | Senior | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
Professional Core Elective Course | 67-373 Software Development Project | 67-475 Innovation in Information Systems | Content Area Course |
Disciplinary Core Course | Content Area Course | Content Area Course | Elective Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course | Elective Course |
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