Management Information Systems (MIS)

Due to increasing deployment of information technology (IT) in almost every part of an organization, its effective design, use, and management play a critical role in organizational success. A concentration in management information systems (MIS) will prepare you for a career focused on IT. The MIS concentration focuses on the application of IT to improve a company's strategic position and operations while maintaining their security and integrity.

Students can gain depth in areas that include systems analysis and design, database management systems, programming languages, project management, advanced spreadsheets, e-business, principles of security, and cloud services. The concentration also addresses emerging trends and issues in the design, use, and management of IT to better serve those students who rise to managerial responsibility. Thus, students are prepared to use their practical knowledge in a decision-making capacity to contribute to the organization's success.

If your primary interest is in MIS, it is recommended that you supplement the concentration requirements by taking additional courses in MIS rather than pursuing another concentration. However, if you are already pursuing another concentration and have an interest in MIS, you may add from a variety of MIS courses to complement your knowledge in the chosen concentration.

Coursework

The MIS concentration is fulfilled by one required course and three elective courses.

The current schedule for these courses is available in the Schedule of Classes on the BU Brain. Descriptions of courses are listed in the Binghamton University Bulletin and course descriptions for the upcoming semester are available on the BU Brain.

Contact Academic Advising for the most updated list of core courses and electives.

Required coursework

• MIS 323 - Systems Analy. & Specification

  Provides an understanding of the systems development and modification process. Enables students to choose and adapt system development methodologies. Teaches the principles of high-quality information requirements determination and specification in approaching a project, through effective communication with users and all other stakeholders in systems development and maintenance and appropriate documentation standards. Includes consideration of user interface design issues that are critical for the development of Web-based applications. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MIS 311. Offered fall and spring semesters Levels: Undergraduate

Electives

Select two of the following (Students also have the option to take MIS 480: Special Topics in MIS except MIS 480G)

• MIS 325 - Essentials of Programming

  Given the highly digitized environment we live in, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for programming literacy to leverage computing devices and data-processing applications to improve their performance. Therefore, programming and data analysis are becoming the necessities of today's highly competitive business environment. This course focuses on the essentials of programming in Python, a powerful and general-purpose programming language that many businesses expect their recruits to be competent in. The course will cover a variety of general programming topics such as data structures, decision controls, loops, and functions. It will also cover popular Python libraries such as numpy, pandas, and matplotlib. The course will prepare students to develop programs that solve real-world problems. Students registering for this course should be prepared for an intense but manageable workload. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 333 - Database Management Systems

  Database management systems are evolving well beyond their traditional role as enterprise data repositories. This course provides an understanding of how database technology supports business objectives and information technology (IT) initiatives. The primary focus is to design and implement a database using the relational database model and database life cycle methodology. Labs provide the opportunity to become proficient in the use of SQL, procedural languages, and query, report and form utilities. Advanced topics include transaction management and concurrency control, distributed database management, data warehouse design, object-oriented database technologies and e-business/Internet integration. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered fall semester Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 425 - Web Application Development

  This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and implementation of e-business. The two major objectives of the course are: 1) To learn web design details with HTML and major web design tools. The variety of resources and web fundamentals are introduced with in-class exercises and assignments. 2) To learn a variety of e-business concepts such as online retailing, online consumer behavior, online customer service, online customer relationship management, business to business e-commerce and collaborative commerce. Students also learn about web design, technologies and strategies required to implement these e-business concepts. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered Fall semesters Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 450 - IT Security and Forensics

  The first part of the course covers description of different security technologies including firewalls, intrusion detection, and cryptography and identification of potential threats such as malicious software, social engineering, spoofing, and phishing. Students will also learn about managerial aspects including information security policies, security management models and practices, and risk management. The second part of the course covers technical and legal aspects of conducting computer forensic analysis and investigation. Topics include requirements of processing crime scenes, investigation of digital evidence (computers, laptops, etc.), network forensics, e-mail investigation, report writing, and expert testimony in high-tech investigations. 4 credits. Pre-requiste: MIS 311. Offered Spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 460 - E-Business

  This course provides a broad introduction to e-business. To put it simply, e-business is doing business online by strategically using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to perform various activities from back-office to front-office. It is an evolutionary step in the convergence of technological development and business innovation. Technological innovations have allowed businesses to operate globally and gain a presence like never before. By taking advantage of ICTs in all aspects of the business, enterprises have completely changed how they operate and interact with their stakeholders. Despite the various benefits of e-business, effective e-business implementation faces various managerial and technological challenges. This course is designed to highlight the managerial perspective of e-business with an emphasis on the role of ICTs. Students are expected to be able to apply the knowledge domains we will be discussed in class to understand and resolve business problems that confront organizations during their introduction and implementation of e-business. The primary objective of the course is to expose students to key concepts and issues that transform commerce in a digital environment. The course will cover many key e-business knowledge domains, including (simple) website design, search engine optimization, change management, business process reengineering, and process mining. Students will learn by doing various course activities and projects. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 473 - Information Systems Project

  Capstone course in information systems development. Students participate in a realistic case-study project in the analysis, design and/or implementation of a system emphasizing material from other MIS courses. Includes a survey of proper information system project management techniques. Qualifies students to be productive entry-level members of an industry project team. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311 and MIS 323. Offered Spring semester. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480K - Blockchain Tech & Applications

  credits:4 Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480J - Intro to Machine Learning

  Machine learning is the science of allowing computers to learn from data and perform tasks without being explicitly programmed. It becomes so pervasive today that we are using it in many aspects of our lives without even knowing it. Some examples include speech recognition, image recognition, web search, personalized recommendation, and self-driving cars. This course provides an overview of machine learning techniques (e.g., supervised vs. unsupervised methods) to explore, analyze, and exploit data with a focus on designing machine learning workflow and algorithms. Whereas no prior knowledge of machine learning is needed, students are assumed to have a basic understanding of calculus, probability theory, and linear algebra. No background knowledge of programming is required. Prerequisites MIS 311, CQS 311 Credits: 4 Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480L - Data Science Project

  Data Science is a growing field that combines scientific techniques, processes, algorithms and technology to extract knowledge and help drive decisions. This course provides an understanding of how Data Science supports business objectives and decision makers. The primary focus is to understand the Data Science Process and its principles, understand how to convey information and work with technologies to help provide your audience with an understanding of your results. This course will cover what it means to be a Data Scientist. We will start with an overview of Data Science. Next, we will talk about designing and understanding experiments in data. We will delve into the art of Data Science with such concepts as data collection, handling, analyzing, visualizing, interpreting results and making decisions. Finally, the class will work on a semester-long team based project based on data science. This class will focus on how to work with data. It is backed by technology and there is an expectation to work with technology, but the primary focus is on organizing data projects, defining objectives and conveying results including factors such as bias, privacy and ethics. Prereq CQS 311 Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• MIS 480N - Emerging Issues Cyber Security

  Levels: Undergraduate

Select one of the following 

• MKTG 320 - Marketing Research

  Role of marketing research; research design, sampling, questionnaire construction, data collection methodology, techniques for data analysis, and report writing. 4 credits. Pre-requisite, MKTG 311. Traditionally offered fall and spring semesters Levels: Undergraduate

• MKTG 322 - Consumer Behavior

  Individual, situational and cultural influences on consumer attitudes (judgment) and decision making, normative versus descriptive theories of decision making. Special topics include online buying behavior, conjoint models of preference formation and innovation diffusion. 4 credits. Pre-requisite of MKTG 311. Traditionally offered in fall and spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MKTG 340 - Advertising

  Integrated marketing communications (IMC) with an emphasis on advertising on the Internet and the new media. Topics include selection of target markets, establishment of communications objectives, selection of and working relationship with advertising agencies, creative strategy and execution, media selection, appropriations and budgets, and program evaluation procedures. 4 credits. Prerequisite of MKTG 311. Traditionally offered in the fall and spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MKTG 465 - Social Media Marketing

  This course will teach students the fundamentals of social media marketing — specifically establishing clear organizational goals for engaging in social media (why), developing solid strategies for implementation (what), and determining other key campaign logistics such as who, where, and when. The class will be a lively mix of lecture, case, discussion, project, and engagement both in the classroom and online using hashtags and other social tools. Levels: Undergraduate

• LEAD 351 - Leadership Skills&Development

  Focuses on individual leadership development. Concentrates on leadership as a dyadic or small-group process, e.g., one leader and several followers. Also provides a survey of the major topical areas of leadership. Students learn how to use technology to enhance their leadership potential up front and working at a distance with others. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MGMT 311. Traditionally offered fall semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• ENT 460 - Entrepreneurship

  The focus of this class is on recognizing opportunities and creating new ventures. We will investigate the "mindset" of an entrepreneur, as well as the components, tools, and best practices of entrepreneurship. We will use the most up to date practices of the startup ecosystem to evaluate the viability of your new venture; write a business plan; build an "E-team" that possesses the attributes necessary for success; financing; starting and operating a business, and creating liquidity for shareholders. 4 credits Traditionally offered fall and spring semesters Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 325 - Essentials of Programming

  Given the highly digitized environment we live in, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for programming literacy to leverage computing devices and data-processing applications to improve their performance. Therefore, programming and data analysis are becoming the necessities of today's highly competitive business environment. This course focuses on the essentials of programming in Python, a powerful and general-purpose programming language that many businesses expect their recruits to be competent in. The course will cover a variety of general programming topics such as data structures, decision controls, loops, and functions. It will also cover popular Python libraries such as numpy, pandas, and matplotlib. The course will prepare students to develop programs that solve real-world problems. Students registering for this course should be prepared for an intense but manageable workload. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 325 - Essentials of Programming

  Given the highly digitized environment we live in, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for programming literacy to leverage computing devices and data-processing applications to improve their performance. Therefore, programming and data analysis are becoming the necessities of today's highly competitive business environment. This course focuses on the essentials of programming in Python, a powerful and general-purpose programming language that many businesses expect their recruits to be competent in. The course will cover a variety of general programming topics such as data structures, decision controls, loops, and functions. It will also cover popular Python libraries such as numpy, pandas, and matplotlib. The course will prepare students to develop programs that solve real-world problems. Students registering for this course should be prepared for an intense but manageable workload. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 333 - Database Management Systems

  Database management systems are evolving well beyond their traditional role as enterprise data repositories. This course provides an understanding of how database technology supports business objectives and information technology (IT) initiatives. The primary focus is to design and implement a database using the relational database model and database life cycle methodology. Labs provide the opportunity to become proficient in the use of SQL, procedural languages, and query, report and form utilities. Advanced topics include transaction management and concurrency control, distributed database management, data warehouse design, object-oriented database technologies and e-business/Internet integration. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered fall semester Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 425 - Web Application Development

  This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and implementation of e-business. The two major objectives of the course are: 1) To learn web design details with HTML and major web design tools. The variety of resources and web fundamentals are introduced with in-class exercises and assignments. 2) To learn a variety of e-business concepts such as online retailing, online consumer behavior, online customer service, online customer relationship management, business to business e-commerce and collaborative commerce. Students also learn about web design, technologies and strategies required to implement these e-business concepts. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered Fall semesters Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 450 - IT Security and Forensics

  The first part of the course covers description of different security technologies including firewalls, intrusion detection, and cryptography and identification of potential threats such as malicious software, social engineering, spoofing, and phishing. Students will also learn about managerial aspects including information security policies, security management models and practices, and risk management. The second part of the course covers technical and legal aspects of conducting computer forensic analysis and investigation. Topics include requirements of processing crime scenes, investigation of digital evidence (computers, laptops, etc.), network forensics, e-mail investigation, report writing, and expert testimony in high-tech investigations. 4 credits. Pre-requiste: MIS 311. Offered Spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 460 - E-Business

  This course provides a broad introduction to e-business. To put it simply, e-business is doing business online by strategically using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to perform various activities from back-office to front-office. It is an evolutionary step in the convergence of technological development and business innovation. Technological innovations have allowed businesses to operate globally and gain a presence like never before. By taking advantage of ICTs in all aspects of the business, enterprises have completely changed how they operate and interact with their stakeholders. Despite the various benefits of e-business, effective e-business implementation faces various managerial and technological challenges. This course is designed to highlight the managerial perspective of e-business with an emphasis on the role of ICTs. Students are expected to be able to apply the knowledge domains we will be discussed in class to understand and resolve business problems that confront organizations during their introduction and implementation of e-business. The primary objective of the course is to expose students to key concepts and issues that transform commerce in a digital environment. The course will cover many key e-business knowledge domains, including (simple) website design, search engine optimization, change management, business process reengineering, and process mining. Students will learn by doing various course activities and projects. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311. Offered spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 473 - Information Systems Project

  Capstone course in information systems development. Students participate in a realistic case-study project in the analysis, design and/or implementation of a system emphasizing material from other MIS courses. Includes a survey of proper information system project management techniques. Qualifies students to be productive entry-level members of an industry project team. 4 credits. Prerequisites: MIS 311 and MIS 323. Offered Spring semester. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480G - Introduction to Cybersecurity

  This course offers an innovative hands-on opportunity to develop cybersecurity, leadership, project management and team work skills on a weekly basis. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in the dynamic field of cybersecurity and develop relationships, differentiate yourself, and demonstrate your communication, technical, and problem-solving skill sets. Prereq MIS 311. 4 credits offered in fall semester. This course can only be used as 4th MIS concentration elective. Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480K - Blockchain Tech & Applications

  credits:4 Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480J - Intro to Machine Learning

  Machine learning is the science of allowing computers to learn from data and perform tasks without being explicitly programmed. It becomes so pervasive today that we are using it in many aspects of our lives without even knowing it. Some examples include speech recognition, image recognition, web search, personalized recommendation, and self-driving cars. This course provides an overview of machine learning techniques (e.g., supervised vs. unsupervised methods) to explore, analyze, and exploit data with a focus on designing machine learning workflow and algorithms. Whereas no prior knowledge of machine learning is needed, students are assumed to have a basic understanding of calculus, probability theory, and linear algebra. No background knowledge of programming is required. Prerequisites MIS 311, CQS 311 Credits: 4 Levels: Undergraduate

• MIS 480L - Data Science Project

  Data Science is a growing field that combines scientific techniques, processes, algorithms and technology to extract knowledge and help drive decisions. This course provides an understanding of how Data Science supports business objectives and decision makers. The primary focus is to understand the Data Science Process and its principles, understand how to convey information and work with technologies to help provide your audience with an understanding of your results. This course will cover what it means to be a Data Scientist. We will start with an overview of Data Science. Next, we will talk about designing and understanding experiments in data. We will delve into the art of Data Science with such concepts as data collection, handling, analyzing, visualizing, interpreting results and making decisions. Finally, the class will work on a semester-long team based project based on data science. This class will focus on how to work with data. It is backed by technology and there is an expectation to work with technology, but the primary focus is on organizing data projects, defining objectives and conveying results including factors such as bias, privacy and ethics. Prereq CQS 311 Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• MIS 480N - Emerging Issues Cyber Security

  Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

The curriculum provides students with marketable job skills by teaching them material that is of immediate usefulness in entry-level positions. You could become an analyst, information systems consultant, network administrator, web developer or programmer.