Computer Information Systems: Business Track

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
The growing business and institutional demand for information technology professionals calls for a diverse and progressive set of skills. Students gain these skills in the Caldwell B.S. in Computer Information Systems.
Computer Information Systems courses focus on:
- web design
- web programming techniques
- e-commerce
- mobile application development for android and apple devices
- cloud computing
- data mining and analytics
- data protection
- computer and internet security
Develop your technical skills in small classes that provide individual attention. The approach to learning at Caldwell emphasizes hands-on exercises and projects that closely represent those in the modern business world. A CIS degree from Caldwell provides the necessary technological and business skills that will prepare you for immediate employment in information technology positions.
Concentrations are offered in Business Systems or Information Technology.
In the Business Systems concentration, a cohesive balance of technical and business skills serve as a bridge between computer science and business. In this major, you will receive essential training in information systems with courses in: Java programming, operating systems, database management, systems analysis, web programming, and e-commerce.
Job Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that the employment of Information Technology technicians and managers will grow faster than almost all other occupations. The BLS also indicates that technical knowledge provided by this major is essential for many managerial positions.
Caldwell’s CIS graduates usually begin their careers in one of the following positions:
- systems analyst
- systems engineer
- systems integrator
- systems architect
- network administrator
- applications programmer/analyst
- web designer or developer
- web site server administrator
- software developer; computer support specialist
- systems or network administrator
- project manager
- database administrator
The School of Business and Computer Science provides comprehensive offerings for students seeking either general or specialized degrees in the fields of business and technology. Our increasingly-popular five-year tracks (BS/MBA and BS/MS Accounting) are rigorous programs for motivated students seeking to advance their business skills on an expedited basis.
Faculty emphasis extends beyond academics to fostering students’ business interpersonal skills and practical experiences through internships and international travel study trips. Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) as noted; all other programs are aligned with applicable accreditation standards and will pursue full accreditation when eligible.
Students who complete this program will demonstrate the ability to implement software, software systems, and new technologies to meet the needs of business. Students will apply information systems theory and principles to address real-world business challenges to meet the needs of today’s information economy. Students will use digital materials to demonstrate the development and management of business systems within the organization, apply the principles of information systems technology, and incorporate management requirements to develop and use information systems necessary to support the organization. Graduates will be effective technical communicators and will demonstrate high professional standards.
Students will be required to pass the capstone course, CS 450 Elements of Systems Analysis and Design by applying and integrating the knowledge and skills learned throughout the major courses.
STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (WITH A CONCENTRATION IN BUSINESS SYSTEMS) MUST COMPLETE:
Course Code : CS 195
Course Description :
Intensive introduction to computer science, problem solving decomposition, and algorithm development. Writing, debugging, and analyzing computer programs using high-level programming language. Topics include decision structures, loops, files, methods, classes, arrays and lists.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X, MA130, MA117, MA112
Course Code : CS 196
Course Description :
Continues the development of a disciplined approach to problem solving and algorithm development using advanced topics of high-level programming language. Topics include details on classes and object, inheritance, exceptions, GUI applications, and recursion. Sorting and searching algorithms are introduced.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS195
Course Code : CS 219
Course Description :
This course emphasizes analysis and solutions to contemporary business problems through the use of the current version of Microsoft Excel. Students are introduced to business decision modeling processes to strengthen logical reasoning and analytical skills. Microsoft Excel is used as the basis for managerial decision support through analysis of contemporary business case problems. Students apply the appropriate functions and features of Microsoft Excel to solve business cases. The course also emphasizes oral presentation and written reports on business processes used in case solutions to further strengthen students’ communication skills.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X, MA207, MA112
Course Code : CS 225
Course Description :
This course provides a theoretical introduction and a hands-on experiential learning of today's operating systems used in personal computers and servers. The course explores Windows, Unix and Linux and tools used by administrators and users in managing these systems. Included is instruction for configuring, implementing and managing network and internet resources and services.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115X, CS 115 or waiver
Course Code : CS 230
Course Description :
Focuses on evolving trends in global communication. Concentrates on developing web pages using formatted text, tables, image maps, graphics and frames in basic HTML, and Active Server Pages are introduced. Individual web design projects are developed. Previously named: Emerging Technologies Web Page Design, Spring 2019 and earlier.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X
Course Code : CS 238
Course Description :
This course will examine the evolution of data communications as a tool for commercial transactions. The history of networks and the Internet in transacting business will be reviewed. The marketing, financial and technical components of the e-commerce market will be examined so that students will be familiar with the motivations and operations of this rapidly growing worldwide marketplace. E-commerce will be analyzed as the primary facilitator in the globalization of the world economy. The technical aspects of planning, developing and implementing e-commerce web sites and electronic transfers of business transactions will be studied. The costs and benefits of typical E-commerce technical platforms using Windows and Linux (LAMP) webservers will be analyzed.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS 115 or waiver, CS115X
Course Code : CS 260
Course Description :
This course introduces the student to the logical and physical development of contemporary databases, with particular emphasis on the relational database model. Topics include types of databases, major data models, database design procedures, and normal forms. Hands-on experience illustrates the creation, maintenance, and reporting of business databases using SQL.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS219, CS195
Course Code : CS 348
Course Description :
This course examines real-world applications of database security and auditing models. These concepts are integrated with planning, organizing and implementing disaster recovery procedures as applied to business data systems.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS260
Course Code : CS 450
Course Description :
This capstone course is designed to develop complex software systems from business and institutional requirements and processes. Students utilize the fundamental principles of system development with both traditional and object-oriented approaches using professional charting, graphing and modeling tools. The course presents different software process models, project management anlysis, software requirements engineering processes, systems development and testing procedures and different organizational and managerial designs and methods for systems development organizations. IN addition, students integrate database, network topologies and cloud system designs to solve business problems. Computer system life cycles and maintenance procedures will also be analyzed.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 4 Hours
Prerequisites :
CS260, CS195, CS316, CS195
Course Code : BU 205
Active Term : Fall
Course Description :
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of microeconomic theory. It deals with the behavior of individual economic units that are small relative to the national economy. The course explains how consumers, workers, investors, owners of land, and business firms make their decisions, and how they interact to form larger units of markets and industries. A thorough survey of market failure and government failure also will be covered.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 112 or other equivalent math core with grade of B- or higher
Course Code : BU 211
Course Description :
This course introduces fundamental principles in financial accounting. It provides a basic understanding of accounting theory, practices, and procedures through the accounting cycle as well as recording transactions in journals and ledgers. The course introduces the basic financial statements of balance sheet, income statement, and statement of owner's equity, explaining their purpose and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA131, MA140, MA220, MA106, MA130, MA221, MA112 or other equivalent math core with grade of B- or higher.
Course Code : BU 212
Course Description :
This course covers the measurement and reporting of claims by creditors and equity investors; explains business structures of partnerships and corporations; and covers topics such as income taxes and financial analysis. The course introduces the statement of cash flows, its purpose and composition.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU211
Course Code : BU 305
Course Description :
Studies the collection, classification, presentation, and analysis of statistical data with an emphasis on business applications.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 112 and CS 219 or equivalents.
OR
Course Code : MA 311
Course Description :
An introduction to the theory of probability and statistics utilizing methods from calculus. Topics include the axioms and rules of probability, Bayes Theorem, discrete and continuous random variables, univariate probability distributions, expectation, variance, and generating functions.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 220 or MA 140
Course Code : BU 337
Course Description :
Introduces the techniques employed by firms in raising and allocating funds. Describes analytical tools used by financial managers.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, BU210, BU212, MA311, MA207
Course Code : BU 436
Course Description :
Individuals and businesses need to manage the processes that drive success, including the processes that bring goods and services to market, as well as the individual projects that are needed in every functioning area of business. This process-management course introduces students to essential concepts in operations management and project management to drive the success of individuals and businesses. Operations management focuses on converting resources and materials into finished products and services and methods for improving process operations to enhance competitive advantage in the growing global economy. Project management includes organizing and managing project teams, project selection, project planning, project scheduling, and project cost management, all in the context of costs/budgeting and risk management.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
CS285, CS219
Note
Students also complete two additional Computer Science or Business Administration courses at the 200-level or above.

