Chair and Associate Professor: J. Downey (PhD), 450-3110
Professors: K. Griffin (DBA), R. McGaughey (PhD)
Associate Professors: B. Friedman (PhD), M. McMurtrey (PhD), S. Zeltmann (PhD)
Assistant Professors: S. Bartczak (PhD), E. England, K. McKinzie (PhD)
Lecturer I: C. Barber (MEd), L. Smith (MEd)

[1] Objectives

The Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) offers major and minor programs of study in two different areas: MIS and General Business. The MIS major is 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 program in MIS prepares students for careers in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations as systems analysts, programmers, database developers, and website managers. Graduates become project managers, database administrators, network managers, and directors of the information systems function within their organizations.

The MIS program in the College of Business consists of a single major (MIS), and allows students to choose between three different concentrations, including Application Development, Telecommunications and Computer Networks, or Business Analysis. The three concentrations include an MIS Core of three 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 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

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 (27 hours) and core requirements (18 hours); (3) the major requirements (24 hours) listed below; and (4) electives to bring total credit hours to 120.

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

MIS 3328 Systems Analysis and Design [ UCA Core: C ]
MIS 3363 Telecommunications and Computer Networks I
MIS 3365 Database Applications

In addition to the three required MIS Core classes, each student will select one of three concentrations (detailed below). These concentrations include an additional five courses (15 hours) each. Each of these concentrations (except GIS in the Application Development Concentration as noted below) allow the student to select two electives, which must be advanced (3000 level or above) courses in MIS or Statistics (QMTH). The following details the concentrations.

[2.1.1] Application Development Concentration

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 (9 hours, see above)

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

MIS 3301 COBOL
MIS 3339 Programming in Java
MIS 3362 Visual Basic

Choose any two electives (note that it is only one elective for the GIS sub-concentration) from any advanced (3000 level or higher) MIS or QMTH courses (6 hours; 3 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 (6 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 6 hours are required:

Choose another programming course from the following: MIS 3301 / MIS 3339 / MIS 3362 (one not chosen from above) OR CSCI 1470 Computer Science I (Note: This is not an advanced course so students should be aware that this would not aid in fulfilling the 40 hours of advanced credit required.)

MIS 4329 Database Management Systems

[2.1.1.3] Geographical Information Systems (GIS) sub-concentration (9 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 9 hours of Geography, it has only one elective. The following nine hours are required:

GEOG 2375 Cartography
GEOG 3303 GIS Systems

Choose one of the following:

GEOG 3307 GIS in Practice
GEOG 4330 GIS Analysis

[2.1.2] Telecommunications and Computer Networking Concentration

The Telecommunications & Computer Networks 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, and the telecommunications industry. Graduates will have studied traditional wireline technologies, wireless technologies, and computer networks of various types. Requirements for the Telecommunications Concentration include the following:

Major in MIS, Telecommunications and Computer Networking Concentration (24 hours)

MIS Core Courses (9 hours, see above)

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

MIS 3301 COBOL
MIS 3339 Programming in Java
MIS 3362 Visual  Basic

Choose any two electives from any advanced (3000 level or higher) MIS or QMTH courses (6 hours).

Take the following (6 hours):

MIS 3300 Introduction to Computer Programming
MIS 4363 Wireline and Wireless Telecommunications

[2.1.3] Business Analysis Concentration

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 (9 hours, see above)

Take the following two courses (6 hours):

MIS 3300 Introduction to Computer Programming
MIS 3350 Project Management

Take one of the following (3 hours):

MIS 3343 Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
MIS 3360 Information Security
MIS 4380 Business Intelligence
QMTH 3325 Data Analysis
QMTH 4341 Quantitative Methods in Management

Choose any two electives from any advanced (3000 level or higher) MIS or QMTH courses (6 hours).

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

Minors in MIS cannot be business majors working on a BBA degree. Accordingly, minors will lack exposure to the business foundation and core which supports a primary function of the major. Students who wish to in MIS have the opportunity to focus their efforts in many directions, from developing computer programming and technical competence to a less-technical business analysis program.

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.

Required courses (9 credit hours)

MIS 3321 Managing Systems and Technology [ UCA Core: R ]
MIS 3328 Systems Analysis and Design [ UCA Core: C ]
MIS 3365 Database Applications

Choose one of the following courses 3 credit hours)

MIS 3300 Computer Architecture and Programming
MIS 3301 COBOL I
MIS 3339 Programming in Java
MIS 3362 Visual Basic
MIS 3363 Telecommunications and Computer Networks I
CSCI 3335 Networks
CSCI 3345 Human-Computer Interaction
MATH 4340 Numerical Methods

Additional elective requirements (6 credit hours)

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

[2.1.5] Departmental Undergraduate Scholars Program: MIS

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 2.35 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.

[2.2] General Business

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 (27 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), Marketing (MKTG), or Management (MGMT).

[2.2.2] Minor in Business Administration (24 hours)

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, and 12 hours of electives (additional courses in business). Of these 12 elective hours, at least 6 hours must be upper-division courses (3000 level or higher).

[3] 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 concentrations. See the MIS department chair for more information.

[4] Course Links

[4.1] Courses in Management Information Systems (MIS)

Follow this link for MIS course descriptions: course link.

[4.2] Courses in Quantitative Methods (QMTH)

Follow this link for QMTH course descriptions: course link.