About Information Systems (IS)

What is an Information System?

An information system is a collection of methods, practices, algorithms and methodologies that transforms data into information and knowledge desired by, and useful for, individual and group users in organizations and other entities. This system can involve a combination of work practices, information, people, and technologies organized to accomplish goals in an organization.

Information Systems is the study of a system and how technology can be incorporated into that system to make it fully functional and efficient. Some areas of study in Information Systems include system analysis and design, databases, software engineering, networking, human-centered computing (HCC), health informatics, artificial intelligence, knowledge management, security, project management, and decision sciences.

How does IS differ from Computer Science?

Information Systems (IS) and Computer Science (CMSC) both involve computer technology. Unlike IS, CMSC frequently takes an inner-workings perspective of technology and involves the principles of hardware and software design.

Information Systems, on the other hand, focuses on the entire system of information, knowledge, delivery and use, taking an external, human-based perspective on technology– its focus is on how technology can be implemented to serve the informational needs of people and organizations. This is why some refer to Information Systems as the human side of computing. IS graduates have opportunities to really make a difference—have an impact—on technologies that affect everyone from children to retirees.

IS graduates enter various industries with more than just the technical skills of programming, network applications and design, operating systems, telecommunications, database application and design, and web development and design. They also have a strong business and management background. In fact, many graduates have gone on to start their own successful thriving businesses. Information Systems students also develop excellent human communication skills that can be used to interact with a variety of audiences with various backgrounds. These skills are not only key career talents but excellent life skills.

What Kind of Jobs Can I Obtain with an Information Systems Degree?

Information Systems graduates are problem-solvers with excellent communication skills and can be employed as network engineers, software engineers, network administrators, systems analysts, systems integrators, systems designers, database managers, database administrators, interface specialists, product support professionals, programmers, programmer analysts, information and knowledge officers, managers of information systems, academic researchers, information system educators and more. Careers in IT (Information Technology) and IS (Information Systems) offer some of the highest post-undergraduate starting salaries. In fact, salaries in IT and computer-related fields have climbed nearly 17% over the last 7 years (1999-2005).1 A major in IS is definitely one that can boost your paycheck.

Companies that have hired Information Systems graduates include—but are not limited to— utilities, financial institutions, local, state, and federal governments, government contractors, technology companies, and health related organizations. Plus, Information Systems graduates continue to find well-paying Jobs in IT. A recent survey of Information Systems (IS) Baccalaureate graduates is painting a bright IT jobs picture for incoming and soon-to-be-graduated IS students alike. As the IS degree continues to be well-recognized by IT employers, 75% of the survey respondents report their job search took 3 months or less, and 40% responded the process took less than one month.

Additionally upbeat are early survey results indicating that starting salaries for respondents average $50K-plus with full benefits (well in line with the national average) and that many IT job seekers who have graduated from IS programs are receiving multiple job offers.

When considering the value of the IS degree during the job search process, 96% of the respondents indicated that their degree was helpful with 55% saying their degree was "extremely helpful" during the search process. Respondents of the survey, thus far, comprise approximately 23 unique job titles within the IT industry, many in the areas of database administration, network administration, project management, and systems analysis and design.

Overall, graduates of Information Systems programs are enjoying relatively short periods on the IT job market after graduation, many with multiple job options from which to choose, and at salaries that are not only comparable with the national average, but might be considered quite attractive to an adult in their early 20s.

1Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Do Information Systems Majors Study?

Information Systems offers two baccalaureate degrees: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Systems, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Technology Administration.

The B.S. is the more technical of the two degrees and prepares students for positions involving the analysis and design of systems, databases, and computer networks. The B.S. consists of 64 credit hours of coursework in IS, computer programming, mathematics and statistics, management, economics, accounting, and technical writing.

The B.A. focuses on microcomputer-based office automation systems. It also requires the student to complete a minor or certificate. The B.A. consists of 55 credit hours (not including those from the selected minor or certificate) in IS, mathematics, statistics and management.

The Combined B.S./M.S. Degree
The Information Systems Department also offers a combined B.S./M.S. degree intended for academically superior juniors who wish to apply to the M.S. program after graduation. If admitted to the B.S./M.S. program, they will take, in their Senior year, three graduate-level courses which will be applied to the M.S.

An International Journal

Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. Information Systems publishes articles concerning the design and implementation of languages, data models, algorithms, software and hardware for information systems. Subject areas include data management issues as presented in the principal international database conferences ... click here for full Aims & Scope
Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. Information Systems publishes articles concerning the design and implementation of languages, data models, algorithms, software and hardware for information systems.

Subject areas include data management issues as presented in the principal international database conferences (e.g. ACM SIGMOD, ACM PODS, VLDB and EDBT) as well as data-related issues from the fields of data mining, information retrieval, natural language processing, internet data management, visual and audio information systems, scientific computing, and organisational behaviour.

All papers should motivate the problems they address with compelling examples from real or potential applications. Systems papers must be serious about experimentation either on real systems or simulations based on traces from real systems. Papers from industrial organisations that discuss the practical implementation of systems are welcome.

Theoretical papers should have a clear motivation from applications. They should either break significant new ground or unify and extend existing algorithms. Such papers should clearly state which ideas have potentially wide applicability.

In addition to publishing submitted articles, the Editors-in-Chief will invite retrospective articles that describe significant projects by the principal architects of those projects.

Authors of such articles should write in the first person, tracing the social as well as technical history of their projects, describing the evolution of ideas, mistakes made, and reality tests. Technical results should be explained in a uniform notation with the emphasis on clarity and on ideas that may have applications outside of the environment of that research. Particularly complex details may be summarised with references to previously published papers.