Computer Information Systems

Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Information Systems
Minor in Computer Information Systems

Department Chair
Dale Oliver, Ph.D.

Department of Computing Science
Behavioral & Social Sciences 320
(707) 826-3143
csdept@humboldt.edu
www.humboldt.edu/~csdept

The Program

The CIS degree at Humboldt emphasizes fundamentals of computing and their application to solving information needs that arise in business, the natural and physical sciences and the arts. The degree includes traditional CIS course work, such as Systems Analysis and Database Design, but it also emphasizes application development through a multi-semester sequence of classes that build progressively using an experiential approach to teaching and learning. In addition, it embraces the mathematical foundations of computing as a discipline by requiring discrete mathematics, and it insists that students are conversant with the fundamentals of the computing discipline such as programming, operating systems and computer architecture.

Successful CIS majors graduate prepared for entry-level employment as programmers, database designers, systems analysts and network specialists. The degree program also provides a work experience opportunity, which many students find provides an important bridge between their course work and the world of employment.

Many students who do not actually major in CIS find the study of their selected major complemented by the study of information systems. Pursuit of a CIS minor is appropriate to nearly every major course of study: humanities; applied, behavioral, and social sciences; education; basic sciences; the arts; and business administration.

Majors have access to the departmental lab, which provides dual boot Linux and Windows platforms that are connected to the University's network. In addition, there is an Internet Teaching Laboratory, which provides an isolated network for network design experimentation. Resources (servers) for n-tier application development are available at both the department and the university levels.

The program provides a structured hands-on laboratory experience for nearly all its courses. Concepts presented in traditional manner during lectures are clarified, an-chored, and developed by related laboratory exercises with an instructor present. With the faculty member’s guidance and counsel, students often use this forum as an opportunity to explore and discover.

Students participate in the Computing Science Club, affiliated with the Association for Computing Machinery.

Preparation

High school students should take mathematics and general science courses. Oral and written communication skills are also important.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum grade of C must be earned in all core courses (CIS & Math) required for the major. Prerequisite courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.

LOWER DIVISION

CIS 110 Introduction to Computers

The following may substitute for CIS 110 on a pre-approved basis: Three units from CIS 170 , 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 180C, 180L,
271, and 272. (These one-unit courses are five-week modules in word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics software, and special topics for microcomputers.)

CIS 130 Introduction to Programming
STAT 108 Elementary Statistics

MATH 109 Calculus I or
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources

CIS 230 C++ Programming
CIS 250 Introduction to Operating Systems
CIS 260 Systems Analysis
CIS 291 Data Structures in C++
MATH 253 Discrete Mathematics

UPPER DIVISION

CIS/CS 315 Database Design & Implementation
CIS/CS 318 Programming Database Applications
CIS 350 Computer Architecture & Assembly Language
CIS/CS 372 Telecommunications
CIS 450 Information Resource Management
CIS/CS 492 Systems Design & Implementation

Fifteen additional units chosen from the following (no more than three units from CIS/CS 482 and 499):
CIS/CS 235 Java Programming
CIS/CS 240 Visual Basic Programming
CIS /CS 373 Network Design & Implementation
CIS /CS 475 Geographic Information Systems: Spatial Analysis & Modeling
CIS /CS 480 Selected Topics in Information Systems
CIS /CS 482 Internship
CIS /CS 499 Directed Study

Requirements for the Minor

Group A

CIS 110 Introduction to Computers or
Three units from the following:
CIS 170 Essentials of Procedural Programming I
CIS 171 Word Processing I
CIS 172 Spreadsheets I
CIS 173 Micro Database I
CIS 174 Micro Graphics I
CIS 175 Microbased Operating System
CIS 176 Introduction to Internet
CIS 178 Creating Web Homepages
CIS 180 Selected Introductory Topics in Computer Literacy
CIS 271 Word Processing II
CIS 272 Spreadsheets II

Group B

CIS 130 Introduction to Programming or
CS 131 Introduction to Computer Science

Group C

(12 units - minimum 6 upper division)

Choose four of the following courses:
CIS 230 C++ Programming
CIS /CS 235 Java Programming
CIS/CS 240 Visual Basic Programming
CIS 250 Introduction to Operating Systems
CIS 260 Systems Analysis
CIS /CS 291 Data Structures in C++
CIS 309 Computers & Social Change

CIS 310 Database for Non-Majors or
CIS /CS 315 Database Design & Implementation

CIS /CS 318 Programming Database Applications
CIS 350 Computer Architecture & Assembly Language
CIS /CS 372 Telecommunications
CIS 373 Network Design & Implementation
CIS 464 Electronic Commerce (e-commerce)
CIS/CS 475 Geographic Information Systems: Spatial Analysis & Modeling
CIS/CS 480 Selected Topics in Information Systems
CIS/CS 482 Internship
CIS/CS 499 Directed Study

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