Department of Management Information Systems

Chair and Professor: J. Downey (PhD), 450-3110
Professor: M. McMurtrey (PhD), S. Zeltmann (PhD)
Associate Professor: K. McKinzie (PhD)
Assistant Professor: M. Casey (PhD), M. Ellis (PhD), M. Esposito (PhD), J. Hill (PhD), S. Lin (PhD), J. Thomas (PhD)
Lecturer II: C. Barber (MSE)
Lecturer I: S. Shaw (MAT)

[1] Objectives

The Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) offers major programs of study in four different areas: Management Information Systems (MIS), a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BS-IS), a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management (BS-Cyber Management), and General Business. MIS and General Business majors graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Both MIS and BS-IS are designed to prepare students for careers in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining computer-based systems. Students learn how to utilize the power of computer technologies to reduce costs and improve organizational effectiveness. 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 department also offers minors in three areas: Management Information Systems, Business Administration, and Data Analytics.

MIS and BS-IS are similar in many respects. They share many of the same course requirements and graduates can vie for some of the same jobs. Both have a business component as well as a technology component in their curricula. But they are also different. The MIS degree requires more business classes and less technology. The BS-IS degree requires more technology; indeed this degree requires a minor in Computer Science. The degree program in MIS prepares students for careers in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations as systems or business analysts, programmers, database developers and managers, and website managers. Graduates become project managers, database administrators, network managers, and directors of the information systems function within their organizations. The BS-IS program prepares graduates for similar type jobs, but students are more thoroughly prepared for one of the most common jobs in the IT industry—development. IT developers write and maintain computer code; they solve business problems by developing programming solutions.

The BS-IS degree has no concentrations, but does require a minor in CS. It is unlike any program in the state in that it a true combination of business, MIS and CS. The MIS program, on the other hand, consists of a single major (MIS), but requires students to choose between three different concentrations, including Application Development, Network and Systems Administration, or Business Analysis. The three concentrations include an MIS Core of four required courses, with additional courses and electives for advanced study depending on the concentration. This MIS program offers students an unusual breadth of study (three specialization concentrations) and an unusual depth of study (advanced courses in each area) compared to other MIS programs in Arkansas and the region.

The Cybersecurity Management degree is designed to prepare students to work as technical experts in assessing and preventing cyber threats, as well as managing and leading an organization’s cybersecurity efforts. It is both technical and managerial in its focus.

The General Business major is designed for students who are interested in the varied aspects of business and organizations and wish to sample three or more different areas of study. The program is designed for students who wish a broader business perspective than that provided by a single business department. This is an interdisciplinary business major that requires students take upper-division courses from at least three of the seven business disciplines in the College of Business. Students who major in General Business have a broad knowledge base of the entire business organization, without specializing in one area. Majors are frequently interested in smaller organizations or managing their own business.

[2] Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

[2.1] Management Information Systems

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management Information Systems requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) the BBA foundation (30 hours) and core requirements (18 hours); (3) the major requirements (24 hours) listed below; and (4) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

Students majoring in Management Information Systems must choose one of three concentrations, including Application Development, Network and Systems Administration, or Business Analysis. Each concentration requires the same four core MIS courses, but different follow-on courses.

MIS Core Courses (12 hours):

MIS 3300 Introduction to Computer Architecture and Programming
MIS 3328 Systems Analysis and Design [UD UCA Core: C]
MIS 3365 Database Applications
MIS 4355 Introduction to Project Management [UD UCA Core: Z]

In addition to the four required MIS Core classes, each student will select one of three concentrations (detailed below). These concentrations include an additional one to four courses each. Each of these concentrations (except GIS and E-Commerce in the Application Development Concentration as noted below) allow the student to select one elective, which must be advanced (3000 level or above) courses in MIS or Statistics (QMTH) or ACCT 3320. The following details the concentrations.

[2.1.1] Application Development Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The Application Development Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working with software. Graduates from this concentration typically develop and maintain applications and other software, such as databases, web sites, geographical information systems, and other computer-based systems, including corporate computer infrastructures. Graduates frequently work on Information Technology (IT) projects or as IT systems analysts. The Application Development Concentration is comprised of three “sub-concentrations”, including E-Commerce, Programmer/Analyst, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The GIS sub-concentration includes courses from the Department of Geography. Each student will self-select one of these sub-concentrations by choosing one of three advanced courses. Requirements for the Application Development Concentration are as follows:

Major in MIS, Application Development Concentration (24 hours)

MIS Core Courses (12 hours, see above)

Take the following:

MIS 3363 Telecommunications & Networking I

One programming course, chosen from the following (3 hours):

MIS 3301 Programming in COBOL I
MIS 3335 Programming in Python I
MIS 3339 Programming in Java I
MIS 3362 Programming in Visual Basic I

Choose any one elective from any advanced (3000 level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (note that there are no electives for the GIS sub concentration) (3 hours; 0 hours for GIS).

Choose one of the three sub-concentrations below (6 hours; 9 hours for GIS).

[2.1.1.1] E-Commerce sub-concentration (6 hours)

This sub-concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working on corporate and organizational web sites. Graduates develop and maintain Internet-based IT systems for business and non-profit entities in support of organizational goals and requirements. Of particular importance is developing interactive web technologies, including Electronic Commerce (E-commerce) and managing web servers. The following 6 hours are required:

MIS 3366 Web Site Development
MIS 4366 E-Commerce and Advanced Web Site Development
[2.1.1.2] Programmer/Analyst sub-concentration (3 hours)

This sub-concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs working as system designers and system builders in a large organization. Graduates from this sub-concentration 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. The following course is required:

MIS 4329 Database Management Systems
[2.1.1.3] Geographical Information Systems (GIS) sub-concentration (11-12 hours)

This sub-concentration 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. Because this sub-concentration requires 11-12 hours of Geography, it has no electives. The following 11-12 hours are required:

GEOG 2475 Cartography
GEOG 3403 Geographic Information Systems
Choose one of the following:
GEOG 3404 Geographic Information Analysis
GEOG 4307 Locational Analysis and Decision Making with GIS

[2.1.2] Network and Systems Administration Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The Network and Systems Administration Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs in the telecommunications industry or as networking specialists. The focus of this concentration is computer networking, hardware, systems administration, and server management. Graduates will have studied traditional wireline technologies, wireless technologies, and computer networks of various types. Requirements for the Concentration include the following:

Major in MIS, Network and Systems Administration Concentration (24 hours)

MIS Core Courses (12 hours, see above)

Take the following (9 hours):

MIS 3363 Telecommunications & Computer Networks I
MIS 4363 Telecommunications & Computer Networks II
MIS 4364 Computer & Network Security

Choose one elective from advanced (3000-level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (3 hours).

[2.1.3] Business Analysis Concentration

[Back to program-of-study links]

The Business Analysis Concentration is designed for MIS majors who wish to prepare for jobs that pair business requirements and analysis. In many companies, the need is not for developers or hardware/software experts, but on employees who understand technology, can work in teams, and analyze business processes. Graduates are prepared to be a link between business managers and the technical staff, and will have experience working on projects in teams. Project management is one of the key components of this concentration. Requirements for the Business Analysis Concentration include the following:

Major in MIS, Business Analysis Concentration (24 hours)

MIS Core Courses (12 hours, see above)

Take three of the following (9 hours):

MIS 3335 Programming in Python I
MIS 3343 Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
MIS 4320 Critical Thinking & Experimental Design
MIS 4325 Predictive Analytics
MIS 4330 Prescriptive Analytics
MIS 4380 Business Intelligence and Data Visualization
MIS 4381 Data Mining and Applied Analytics

Choose one elective from any advanced (3000-level or higher) MIS course or ACCT 3320 (3 hours).

[2.1.4] Minor in Management Information Systems (18 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Students who wish to minor in MIS have the opportunity to focus their efforts in many directions, from developing computer code and technical competence to a less-technical, but more statistical business analysis direction. MIS offers students the technical foundation to compete for a wide variety of well-paid and respected technical positions.

A minor in MIS requires 18 unique hours, that is, these 18 hours may not be used for any other major or minor. The MIS minor includes four required core courses, one technical or programming course, and one elective, for a total of 18 hours.

Required courses (12 credit hours)

MIS 3321 Managing Systems and Technology
MIS 3328 Systems Analysis and Design [UD UCA Core: C]
MIS 3365 Database Applications
MIS 4355 Project Management [UD UCA Core: Z]

Choose one of the following courses (3 credit hours)

MIS 3300 Introduction to Computer Architecture and Programming
MIS 3301 Programming in COBOL I
MIS 3335 Programming in Python I
MIS 3339 Programming in Java I
MIS 3362 Programming in Visual Basic I
MIS 3363 Telecommunications and Computer Networks I
ACCT 3320 Accounting Information Systems
CSCI 1470 Computer Science I

Additional elective requirements (3 credit hours)

Take one additional upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) MIS course; this upper-division course may be from either Mathematics or Computer Science, but this Math/Computer Science course may not be a course required for graduation in that major.

[2.1.5] Minor in Data Analytics (18 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

As one of the fastest growing fields in information technology, data analytics is the art and science of using organizational data for strategic and tactical purposes. Data analytics is a vast field, with skills ranging from advanced statistics to programming to employing dedicated analysis software. This minor focuses on using both programming and software to cleanse, transform, analyze, and display data effectively.

A minor in Data Analytics requires 18 unique hours, that is, these 18 hours may not be used for any other major or minor. The minor includes four required core courses and two electives (chosen from five courses), for a total of 18 hours.

Required courses (12 credit hours)

MIS 3321 Managing Systems and Technology
MIS 3343 Advanced Spreadsheets
MIS 4380 Business Intelligence & Data Visualization
MIS 4381 Data Mining & Applied Analytics

Choose two of the following courses (6 credit hours)

MIS 3335 Programming in Python I
MIS 3382 Internship in MIS [Note 1]
MIS 4320 Critical Thinking & Experimental Design
MIS 4325 Predictive Analytics
MIS 4330 Prescriptive Analytics

Note 1

Internship must be in data analytics and approved by the Chair.

[2.2] General Business

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in General Business requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) the BBA foundation (30 hours) and core requirements (18 hours); (3) the major requirements listed below; and (4) electives to bring the total credit hours to 120.

[2.2.1] General Business Requirements

The general business major requires eight upper-division courses in at least three different teaching areas in the College of Business, including Accounting (ACCT), Economics (ECON), Finance (FINA), Insurance and Risk Management (INSU), Management Information Systems (MIS or QMTH), Marketing (MKTG), or Management (MGMT).

[2.2.2] Minor in Business Administration (24 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Not open to business majors working on a BBA degree. The minor in General Business requires the following courses:

ACCT 2310 Principles of Accounting I
ACCT 2311 Principles of Accounting II
ECON 2320 Macroeconomics
ECON 2321 Microeconomics
Choose four additional business courses (12 hours); two of these courses must be upper-division (3000 or 4000 level). Three of these four courses must be from three different business disciplines. These disciplines include Finance (FINA), Insurance (INSU), Management (MGMT), Marketing (MKTG), and Management Information Systems (MIS). The fourth course may be from any business discipline including the five above but also Accounting (ACCT) or Economics (ECON).
Note: Statistics courses other than QMTH 2330 may be used as pre-requisites for business courses but may not be used as a course in the Business Administration minor.

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS)

[3.1] Information Systems

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Information systems requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses in the BBA foundation, core, and major courses; (2) 36-37 hours of Business Foundation and Core courses (up to approximately 12 hours may also be used for the UCA Core requirement); (3) a minor in Computer Science consisting of seventeen (17) hours; (4) 30 hours of Information System courses; and (5) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

Requirements for the Information Systems degree follow.

Business Requirements (36-37 hours)

MATH 1395 Applied Mathematics for Business or MATH 1491 Applied Calculus*
ECON 2320 Macroeconomics*
MGMT 2301 Business Communications*
ECON 2310 Global Environment of Business*
ECON 2321 Microeconomics*
ACCT 2310 Accounting I
MATH 2311 Statistical Methods I or QMTH 2330 Business Statistics
ACCT 2321 Legal Environment of Business
MIS 3321 Managing Systems and Technology
FINA 3330 Managing Finance & Capital [UD UCA Core: I]
MGMT 3340 Managing People and Work [UD UCA Core: D]
MKTG 3350 Principles of Marketing

*These courses can also count as part of the 38 hour University Core requirement.

Minor in Computer Science (17 hours): 17 hours^

CSCI 1470 Computer Science I
CSCI 1480 Computer Science II
CSCI 2320 Data Structures
Six hours of upper-level CSCI course credit (6 hours)

Information Systems Requirement: 30 hours^

+CSCI 1340 Introduction to Programming or MIS 3335 Programming in Python I
+MIS 3365 Database Applications or CSCI 3360 Database Systems
+MIS 3363 Telecommunications and Computer Networks I or CSCI 3335 Networking
+CSCI 3381 Object-oriented Software Development with Java or MIS 3339 Programming in Java I
MIS 3328 Systems Analysis and Design [UD UCA Core: C]
CSCI 3V75 or MIS 3382 Internship (or one advanced CS/MIS course approved by chair); a maximum of six hours of internship may count for the degree
+MIS 4360 Principles of Information Security or CSCI 4315 Information Security
MIS 4355 Project Management [UD UCA Core: Z]
CSCI 4305 Linux/Unix or CSCI 4365 Web Technology or CSCI 4370 Data Mining or CSCI 4371 Machine Learning or CSCI 4372 Data Clustering or MIS 4329 Database Management Systems or MIS 4366 Advanced Web Design or MIS 4370 Advanced Web Design with Databases or MIS 4380 Business Intelligence & Data Visualization or MIS 4381 Data Mining & Applied Analytics
3 hours advanced course electives in CSCI or MIS (or MATH 3311 Statistical Methods II or WRTG 3310 Technical Writing or a second internship)

^Note: six hours of advanced CS courses are required for the CS Minor. These six hours may come from courses required as part of the 30 hours in Information Systems. However, if any hours from the Information Systems requirement are used to fulfill the CS Minor, students must replace those hours with any elective upper-division CSCI or MIS hours. Students must have seventeen (17) hours of CSCI courses for the CS Minor plus thirty (30) hours of Information Systems course credit (for a total of 47 hours for both).

+Students may receive credit for only one of these two course sequences.

[3.2] Cybersecurity Management

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Cybersecurity Management requires successful completion of 120 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses in the major; (2) 15 hours of business requirements; (3) 6 hours of statistics/math; (4) 28 hours of technology courses; (5) 21 hours of strategy/management courses; and (6) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

Requirements for the BS Cybersecurity Management degree follow.

UCA Core (38 hours)

The following required courses in the major may be taken as part of the lower-division UCA Core.

ECON 2310 Global Environment of Business
ECON 2320 Macroeconomics
MGMT 2301 Business Communications
PSCI 1330 US Government & Politics

Business Requirements (15 hours)

ACCT 2310 Accounting I
ECON 2321 Microeconomics
MIS 3321 Managing Systems & Technology
FINA 3330 Managing Finance & Capital [UD UCA Core: I]
MGMT 3340 Managing People and Work [UD UCA Core: D, R]

Math/BS Requirement (6 hours)

QMTH 2330/MATH 2311 Business Statistics
MATH 1395 Applied Mathematics for Business (or higher)

Technology Requirement (28 hours)

CSCI 1470 Computer Science I
CSEC 2300 Introduction to Cybersecurity
CSEC 3320 Computer Forensics
MIS 3328 Systems Analysis & Design [UD UCA Core: C]
MIS 3363 Networking I
MIS 3365 Database Applications
MIS 4360 Information Security
MIS 4363 Networking II
MIS 4364 Computer & Network Security

Strategy & Management Requirement (21 hours)

PSCI 2300 International Relations
PSCI 3316 Cybersecurity Law & Policy [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 3369 Cybersecurity Citizenship
MGMT 3305 Business Ethics
MIS 4361 Cybersecurity Governance & Policy
MIS 4375 Cybersecurity Strategy & Management
MIS 4355 Project Management [UD UCA Core: Z]

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

The MIS and CS Departments offer 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, MIS 4382, CSCI 3V75) and project credit (MIS 4390) provide upper-division MIS credit to the student and serve as hours in the major for all MIS concentrations, for General Business, or for the BS in Information Systems. See the MIS or CS Department chair for more information.

[5] Honors in Management Information Systems

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

The MIS department is pleased to offer an opportunity for outstanding students to pursue the Honors in Management Information Systems program. This includes students in any of the three degree programs in the department (BBA-MIS, BBA-General Business, BS-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. Honors scholars in MIS must successfully complete MIS 4370 or 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.

[6] Course Links (MIS, CSCI, CSEC, PSCI)

Follow this link for MIS course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for CSCI course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for CSEC course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.