Information Systems Management, Bachelor of Science

Philosophy

The Wilmington University undergraduate degree program in Information Systems Management provides a solid knowledge foundation and a related and meaningful set of experiences to prepare professionals to become Information Technology leaders in what has become the nation’s largest industry. Students who successfully complete the undergraduate degree program in Information Systems Management will possess a working command of current business processes, understand the concepts of business intelligence, data warehousing, and information technology applications and practices that can be applied in business, educational, and governmental organizations regardless of size. Degree recipients will be capable of managing complex projects from inception to completion, including analyzing business processes and designing an information technology strategy for continuous improvement. The ISM program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Wilmington University. All courses involve hands-on assignments.

Purpose

The use of information systems and technology in business and industry is woven into strategic, tactical and operational areas of almost every organization. Administrators, employees, and staff routinely use information technology in their daily professional and personal lives. The increased need for well-designed information technology systems by business and industry has further created a need for IT professionals who can analyze, design and implement information systems to meet the needs of clients. This includes, but is not limited to, professionals who are:

  • Competent practitioners, able to use technology and capable of assuming a leadership role in its implementation;
  • Effective problem solvers, with the ability to integrate information systems and technology into the workplace;
  • Active learners, attuned to emerging trends and technical innovations, with the attendant capabilities to appropriately position the proper trends/innovations within organizations.

The express purpose of Wilmington University’s program in Information Systems Management is to satisfy those needs by fostering an application level of practical expertise at an intermediate level of experience. Knowledge of the most current tools and technologies is combined with an understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie them. This ensures that graduates have immediately useful skills, in addition to the deeper understanding that will allow them to move smoothly and efficiently to new systems and approaches.

Program Competencies

Students completing the Information Systems Management Program (B.S.) program will be able to:

  • Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner.  Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar:  mechanics and usage.  Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres.  Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Employ critical thinking strategies such as quantitative, qualitative, and scientific reasoning to analyze consequences and outcomes and then determine logical solutions.
  • Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors related to the student's academic discipline.
  • Explain the role of IT in meeting strategic business objectives.
  • Explain how IT can be used for competitive advantage in the external marketplace.
  • Explain how IT can significantly improve internal business operations and decision making.
  • Apply the systems approach to business problem solving.

Accelerated Option with Graduate Certificate

Students in the Information Systems Management B.S. degree program may choose an accelerated option with:

  • Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate; or
  • Technology Project Management Graduate Certificate

Students selecting this option can complete both their undergraduate degree and the graduate certificate by completing 120 credits (105 undergraduate credits and 15 graduate credits).  The five graduate courses (15 credits) needed for the graduate certificate would count as five courses (15 credits) towards undergraduate electives in your degree.

Students who complete the Management Information Systems or Technology Project Management Graduate Certificates also receive the benefit of completing five graduate level courses that count towards a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST).  Students selecting this option are not required to pursue the MS-IST degree. 

Admission requirements include:

  1. A minimum GPA of 3.25
  2. Completion of at least 60 credits towards your degree program
  3. A meeting with an academic advisor to submit an Accelerated Option Intent (AOI) form upon completion of at least 30 credits; and
  4. Recommendation of the Program Chair

Note:  Students will not be eligible to register for graduate level courses until they have successfully completed at least 60 credits towards their bachelor’s degree and have an approved AOI form.  Students must receive their B.S. degree in order to receive the graduate certificate.

Minimum Grade Policy: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.


Information Systems Management B.S. Curriculum

General Education Requirements (36 credits)

CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE – 1650 CE

3

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 CE - present

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

 

POL 300American Politics

3

OR

HIS 381/HUM 381Contemporary Global Issues

3

 

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

SCI 321Technology in the Sciences

3

Business and Management Core (18 credits)

BBM 201Principles of Management

3

BBM 301Organizational Behavior

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

BBM 350Introduction to E-Commerce

3

BMK 305Marketing

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

Information Systems Management (45 credits)

BBA 430Big Data and Visualization

3

FIN 300Applied Concepts in Accounting and Finance

3

ISM 110Information Systems Theory and Practice

3

ISM 300Business Process Management

3

ISM 330Business Intelligence

3

ISM 350Information Technology Policy and Strategy

3

ISM 400System Analysis and Design

3

ISM 410Physical Design and Implementation with DBMS

3

ISM 420Data Modeling and Warehousing

3

ISM 450Project Management and Practice

3

ISM 455Strategic Application of Information Technology

3

MIS 320Management Information Systems

3

PHI 314Ethics for Computer Professionals

3

SEC 100Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

3

SEC 210Principles and Practice of Information Security

3

Free Electives (21 credits)

Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.

Accelerated Option with Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate

The certificate requires 15 graduate credits.  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.

IST 7000Data Management

3

IST 7020Analysis, Modeling, and Design

3

IST 7040Data Communications and Networking

3

IST 7060Project and Change Management

3

IST 7100IT Policy and Strategy

3

Accelerated Option with Technology Project Mgt Graduate Certificate

The certificate requires 15 graduate credits.  Students will complete IST 7060 and four of the six IPM courses listed.  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to earn the certificate.

IST 7060Project and Change Management

3

Choose four (4) of the following:

IPM 6000IT/IS Project Scope Development and Management

3

IPM 6010IT/IS Project Scheduling

3

IPM 6030IT/IS Project Risk Management

3

IPM 6040IT/IS Project Quality Management

3

IPM 6050Agile Project Management

3

IPM 6090Special Topics in IT/IS Project Management

3

CAP/Co-op Option

Students in the Information Systems Management degree program may obtain relevant work experience by completing up to six credit hours through an optional co-op assignment.  The co-op option for Information Systems Management can be equivalent to one or two, three credit hour semester long courses for a maximum of three credit hours in a semester.  Each co-op assignment is one semester long and normally the two co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer.  Students can complete their 120 credit hour Information Systems Management degree program with or without choosing the co-op option.  However, students choosing or thinking of choosing a co-op experience must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the Information Systems Management Program Chair, at least, one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.

Co-op eligibility requires students to (a) successfully complete, at least, two Information Systems Management (ISM) degree program core courses in residence; (b) have, at least, 60 credits in the ISM program; and (c) have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: http://www.wilmu.edu/coel/work-integrated-learning.aspx





Completion Degree Requirements

What is a Completion Degree?

A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate's degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.

Note that a minimum of 120 combined credits are needed to satisfy the Completion Degree requirements, including both transfer credits and credits earned at Wilmington University.

Information Systems Management Completion Degree

BBA 430Big Data and Visualization

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

BBM 350Introduction to E-Commerce

3

FIN 300Applied Concepts in Accounting and Finance

3

BMK 305Marketing

3

ISM 300Business Process Management

3

ISM 330Business Intelligence

3

ISM 350Information Technology Policy and Strategy

3

ISM 400System Analysis and Design

3

ISM 410Physical Design and Implementation with DBMS

3

ISM 420Data Modeling and Warehousing

3

ISM 450Project Management and Practice

3

ISM 455Strategic Application of Information Technology

3

MIS 320Management Information Systems

3

PHI 314Ethics for Computer Professionals

3

The following courses or their equivalents are prerequisites for a degree in Information Systems Management:

BBM 201 Principles of Management

CTA 326 Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

ENG 122 English Composition II

ISM 110 Information Systems Theory and Practice

SEC 100 Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

SEC 210 Principles and Practice of Information Security

MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics