The M.S. in Information Systems program features a set of core courses and four sequence choices: Information Assurance and Security, Internet Application Development, Systems Development, and Telecommunications Management. The M. S. in Information Systems program allows students to choose from three degree options and four sequences.

Degree Options

The Thesis Option of the IS program is designed specifically for students who either ultimately plan to continue their studies after completion of the M. S. program or are simply interested in performing research in Information Systems or Telecommunications. Students complete independent research resulting in a masters thesis under the direction of two School of Information Technology faculty members as a part of this option.
The Project Option of the IS program is designed specifically for students who are planning to enter the workforce after completion of the degree. Students complete a significant independent project under the direction of two School of Information Technology faculty members as a part of this option.
The Course Option of the IS program is designed for students who are planning to enter the workplace after completion of the degree but who do not wish to complete a masters thesis or independent project as a part of their degree.

Sequences

Within these degree options, students will also choose one of four sequences to complete.

The Information Assurance and Security Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in focusing specifically on information systems security-related technologies and skills. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or Information Systems Security or work as a programmer-analyst or systems developer with systems security focus, or as a project manager.
The Internet Application Development Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in learning a variety of technologies and skills related to Internet application development. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or Internet Application Development or work as a web developer, systems developer, programmer-analyst, or project manager.
The Systems Development Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in learning a variety of technologies and skills related to information systems/systems development. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue further studies in Information Systems or work as a programmer-analyst, systems developer, or project manager.
The Telecommunications Management Sequence of the IS program is designed for students who are interested in focusing specifically on telecommunications-related technologies and skills. Most students choosing this sequence plan to pursue higher studies in Information Systems or Telecommunications or work as a programmer-analyst or systems developer with telecommunications focus, or as a project manager.

Foundation Courses

The IS program assumes an undergraduate knowledge base in information technology, which students with computer-related undergraduate degrees will typically have acquired. Students lacking sufficient background may be admitted to the program but should expect to complete some or all of the following courses with a grade of "A" or "B" before enrolling in graduate-level courses.

IT 254: Hardware and Software Concepts
IT 261: Systems Development I
IT 275: Java as a Second Language OR
- IT 177: Problem Solving for Information Technology AND IT 178: Computer Application Programming
IT 375.05: Data Communications
IT 378.05: Database Processing

The IT graduate advisor will determine specific foundation requirements.

Core Requirements

In order to provide a solid IS foundation and a common background, each student in the M. S. in Information Systems program is required to complete all courses in the following core areas:

IS Technology
- IT 432: Systems Analysis and Design
- IT 478: Advanced Database Management
- IT 350.05: Fundamentals of Information Assurance and Security
- IT 377.05: Practical Telecommunications Networking
IS Management
- IT 463: Information Technology Project Management
- IT 496: Information Technology Strategy and Policy
Additional Course
- IT 497: Introduction to Research Methodology

Program Option and Sequence Requirements

Each student will choose a program option and a degree sequence no later than the second semester of enrollment in the program.

Program Options

Thesis (30 course credit hours + 6 thesis hours)
Project (33 course credit hours + 6 project hours)
Course (39 course credit hours)

Sequence Options

Information Assurance and Security
Internet Application Development
Systems Development
Telecommunications Management

The requirements for each option and sequence may be found in the tables below.

Information Assurance and Security Sequence

Thesis Option 36 total hours*	Project Option 39 total hours**	Course Option 39 total hours***
351.05: Data Communications Security	351.05: Data Communications Security	351.05: Data Communications Security
2 of: 450: Policy and Administration in IA and Security 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 486: Topics in IA and Security 495: IT Capstone	3 of: 450: Policy and Administration in IA and Security 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 486: Topics in IA and Security 495: IT Capstone	TEC 349: Technical Writing 3 of: 450: Policy and Administration in IA and Security 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 477: Converged Network Architectures 486: Topics in IA and Security
499: Master's Thesis	494: Graduate Directed Project	495: IT Capstone

Internet Application Development Sequence

Thesis Option 36 total hours*	Project Option 39 total hours**	Course Option 39 total hours***
353.05: Web Development Technologies	353.05: Web Development Technologies	353.05: Web Development Technologies
2 of: 354.05: Advanced Web Application Development 467: Human Factors in Information Systems 442: Electronic Commerce: Issues and Technologies 484: Topics in Internet App. Development 495: IT Capstone	3 of: 354.05: Advanced Web Application Development 467: Human Factors in Information Systems 442: Electronic Commerce: Issues and Technologies 484: Topics in Internet App. Development 495: IT Capstone	TEC 349: Technical Writing 3 of: 354.05: Advanced Web Application Development 467: Human Factors in Information Systems 442: Electronic Commerce: Issues and Technologies 484: Topics in Internet App. Development
499: Master's Thesis	494: Graduate Directed Project	495: IT Capstone

Systems Development Sequence

Thesis Option 36 total hours*	Project Option 39 total hours**	Course Option 39 total hours***
467: Human Factors in Information Systems	467: Human Factors in Information Systems	467: Human Factors in Information Systems
2 of: 341.05: Object Oriented Systems Development 460: Enterprise Systems Integration 468: Software Quality Assurance and Testing 485: Topics in Systems Development 495: IT Capstone	3 of: 341.05: Object Oriented Systems Development 460: Enterprise Systems Integration 468: Software Quality Assurance and Testing 485: Topics in Systems Development 495: IT Capstone	TEC 349: Technical Writing 3 of: 341.05: Object Oriented Systems Development 460: Enterprise Systems Integration 468: Software Quality Assurance and Testing 485: Topics in Systems Development
499: Master's Thesis	494: Graduate Directed Project	495: IT Capstone

Telecommunications Management Sequence

Thesis Option 36 total hours*	Project Option 39 total hours**	Course Option 39 total hours***
479: Enterprise Telecommunications	479: Enterprise Telecommunications	479: Enterprise Telecommunications
477: Converged Network Architectures 1 of: 371.05: Simulation and Analysis of Internet App. Performance 487: Topics in Telecommunications 495: IT Capstone	3 of: 371.05: Simulation and Analysis of Internet App. Performance 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 477: Converged Network Architectures 487: Topics in Telecommunications 495: IT Capstone	TEC 349: Technical Writing 3 of: 371.05: Simulation and Analysis of Internet App. Performance 451: Tools and Applications in IA and Security 477: Converged Network Architectures 487: Topics in Telecommunications
499: Master's Thesis	494: Graduate Directed Project	495: IT Capstone

*Students in the thesis option must complete a minimum of 18 hours of 400-level course work (6 classes), not including thesis hours.

** Students in the project option must complete a minimum of 21 hours of 400-level course work (7 classes), not including project hours.

*** Students in the course option must complete a minimum of 21 hours of 400-level course work (7 classes).

Graduate Catalog

To learn more about specific courses offered for the degree, you may access descriptions of the courses offered as a part of the program in the graduate catalog.