2009-2010 University Catalog 
  
2009-2010 University Catalog

Information Systems and Operations Management, BS


Banner Code:  BU-BS-ISOM

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Phone: 703-993-1880
Web: som.gmu.edu

A minimum of 120 credits of course work is required, of which at least 45 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Students should consult the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements section in the Academic Policies  chapter in this catalog for information concerning literacy, general education, residency, and other academic requirements.

Degree Requirements


All degree applicants must complete a minimum of 30 credits of SOM core and major courses at Mason. They must include at least 9 credits required for the specific major and SOM 498. A grade of C or higher must be earned in SOM core and major requirements.

Students should carefully examine prerequisites for SOM courses. Students may be removed from a course if they enroll without having fulfilled the prerequisites.

University General Education  32
SOM students pursuing a BS degree must complete the university-wide general education program plus 1 additional credit of natural science. The natural science requirement must be fulfilled by completing two 4-credit laboratory sciences.  
   

School of Management General Education

15
ECON 103* 3
ECON 104* 3
ECON 300–400 3
ANTH, PSYC, SOCI, or SOM 100 3
MATH 108 or 113* (satisfies university requirement for quantitative reasoning) 3
   
School of Management Core* 35
ACCT 203 3

ACCT 301

3
BULE 302 3
FNAN 301 3
MGMT 301 3
MIS 102 1
MIS 301 3
MKTG 301 3
OM 210 4
OM 301 3
SOM 301 3
SOM 498 3
   
Major* 18
See following section for major requirements.  
   
General Electives 20
 
Total Credits 120

  * Completion with a grade of C or better is required for graduation. 

Acceptance into SOM

A student interested in pursuing a major in accounting, finance, information systems and operations management, management, or marketing must apply for acceptance to SOM during the semester in which the student will complete acceptance requirements. A student who has not received acceptance will have a degree status classified as “BPRE,” until the application is approved.

Acceptance is selective, based on completion of the following:

  • At least 48 credits, with a minimum of 9 credits at Mason
  • A GPA of 2.50 or higher at the end of the semester of application for acceptance for all courses attempted and from all schools and universities attended
  • Successful completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better: ACCT 203 (prerequisite: C or better in ECON 103); OM 210 (prerequisite: C or better in MATH 108); SOM 301 (prerequisite/corequisite: C or better in ACCT 203 and OM 210); MATH 108
  • A minimum Mason cumulative and semester GPA of 2.00 at the end of the semester of application

Note: Students must meet the SOM acceptance requirements in effect at the time of application to the school.

Applications must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester; April 1 for the following summer term; and July 1 for the following fall semester. Students should file the application at the beginning of the semester in which they anticipate completing the requirements set forth above. For more information about the application process, contact the Office of Academic and Career Services, 703-993-1880, or visit som.gmu.edu.

Major Requirements - BS in Information Systems and Operations Management


The BS in information systems and operations management (ISOM) prepares students for a range of career options by instilling skills that add value to organizations. Graduates will apply their knowledge of technology and business functions to design and improve existing operational and core business processes. They will integrate different business functions into seamless IT-enabled processes and collaborate with business users in defining requirements, identifying new IT-driven business opportunities, building prototypes to validate operations, and managing complex technology projects. The content of the ISOM major is at the intersection of technology, processes, and people.

In addition to general degree requirements for the major, students who major in ISOM must complete 18 credits of upper-level ISOM courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Of these, 9 credits in the required courses for the major are listed below. Students have considerable flexibility in their choice of electives and may choose from two tracks of study: one in management information systems, which prepares students for a career in the IT industry, and the other in management of business operations, which develops expertise in areas such as quality, project, and supply chain management and business process analysis. Students are strongly urged to discuss their choice of electives and programs of study with their academic advisor. It is also strongly recommended that students planning to major in ISOM take MIS 302 as part of their program.

Academic Advising


Academic planning for undergraduate students is available in the SOM Office of Academic and Career Services, Enterprise Hall, Room 008. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor regularly. Any student who wishes to change to a major in SOM must consult a SOM academic advisor for degree requirements. For more information about making an appointment or walk-in advising hours, call 703-993-1880, or go to som.gmu.edu.