2009-2010 University Catalog
Information Systems, MS
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Banner Code: VS-MS-ISYS
School: The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering
Department: Computer Science
This professional degree program focuses on the technical, managerial, and policy issues associated with designing, building, and maintaining information systems in organizations. Data, information, and knowledge are crucial to the modern enterprise, and the MS in information systems (MS-ISYS) addresses both the theoretical and engineering aspects of specifying, designing, implementing, and managing large-scale information systems.
The goals of the MS-ISYS are to provide a high-quality program that allows students with diverse baccalaureate and professional backgrounds to obtain the MS degree; provide a technical body of knowledge, together with hands-on project experience, that will allow students to analyze, design, build, deploy, maintain, and manage information systems in large organizations such as industry, government, and nonprofits; and provide a course of study that allows professionals to pursue a technical or a managerial approach to information systems.
The career paths open to graduates include technical and management positions. Technical positions include systems analyst, data administrator, information architect, database administrator, systems architect, decision analyst, data warehouse administrator, database programmer, web-based information systems designer and programmer, information engineer, and knowledge engineer. Management positions include chief information officer, chief knowledge officer, chief privacy officer, project manager, and webmaster.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a four-year (120-credit) baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and have earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credits. They also must meet the following requirements:
- Show proof of a satisfactory score on the GMAT or GRE, if required. The applicable test should have been taken within five years of applying for admission. The department policy is that the GMAT or GRE is required unless the applicant has an undergraduate degree in science or engineering from a U.S. university and graduated with a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 hours; a graduate degree in science or engineering from a U.S. university; or been admitted as a non-degree student and meets all the following requirements: an undergraduate degree from a U.S. university, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 hours, and a B or better grade in all foundation courses taken at Mason or elsewhere.
- Submit the appropriate application forms with three letters of recommendation from people directly knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic competence, a one-page goals statement, and a work résumé.
- Submit a department self-evaluation form that is essential for evaluating foundation requirements by the department faculty. This form may be obtained from the department office or the department web page.
- International students must submit their TOEFL score.
Foundation Requirements
To ensure students have an adequate background in mathematical methods, computer technology, and programming knowledge, the program requires the following foundation courses or their equivalents: INFS 501 Discrete and Logical Structures for Information Systems, INFS 515 Computer Organization, INFS 519 Program Design and Data Structures, SWE 510 Object-Oriented Programming in Java.
Prospective students are asked to complete a department self-evaluation form indicating whether previously taken courses may satisfy these foundation requirements. On acceptance, students are advised of the necessary foundation courses to be satisfactorily completed to meet this requirement. Foundation courses do not earn credit toward the MS degree; however, they must be successfully completed with a grade of B or better before enrolling in the core curriculum.
Students may test out to indicate they have the requisite knowledge for those foundations of SWE 510, INFS 501, 515, and 519. The exams are given before classes begin in January and August, and can only be taken once. Registration is not required; students need only be present at the date, time, and location specified, and bring some form of photographic identification. Detailed information is available on the department web site. Students failing any of the exams must take the equivalent course before enrolling in the core curriculum courses.
Advising
The department holds orientation meetings in January and August to advise newly admitted and continuing students. Members of the faculty are present to answer questions and offer advice concerning programs of study. Detailed information is available on the department web site.
The department also provides an advising function to students, as outlined in the student advising form available from the department. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor with whom to confer on matters related to degree requirements. A plan of study form for the MS degree should be completed and submitted by the student soon after admission to the program. This plan serves as a guide for the student. |