Computer Information Systems BS
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems is a combination of a traditional computer science degree and a traditional business information systems degree. Students complete the core of the computer science degree and the business administration minor. Students perform less software development than a computer science degree and are exposed to several additional topics.
The degree prepares students for a wide range of fulfilling careers from software development to managing the computing systems of large companies. Many Fortune 100 companies employ our computer information systems alumni. Graduates enjoy a strong reputation of hitting the ground running—being productive employees right from the start.
The Computer Information Systems program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
A grade of C or higher is required in all Computer Science (CSCI), Computer Information Systems (CINS), Electrical/Electronic Engineering (EECE), Business Information Systems (BSIS), or Management Information Systems (MINS) courses used for the major.
Each Computer Science (CSCI) and Computer Information Systems (CINS) course may be attempted no more than three times each. After a third attempt with a grade below C in any single required CSCI/CINS course, a student will not be able to complete the major.
Course Requirements for the Major: 84 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Completion of these requirements also satisfies requirements for a minor in Business Administration.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division | ||
| CINS 220 | PCs and Peripherals | 3 |
| CINS 242 | Information Systems Design | 3 |
| CSCI 111 | Programming and Algorithms I | 4 |
| CSCI 211 | Programming and Algorithms II | 4 |
| CSCI/MATH 217 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| Upper Division | ||
| CINS 370 | Introduction to Databases | 3 |
| CINS 448 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CINS 467 | Web and Mobile App Development | 3 |
| CINS 490 | Computer Information Systems Capstone | 3 |
| CSCI 301W | Computer's Impact on Society (W) | 3 |
| CSCI 311 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 4 |
| Networks: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Computer Networks and Network Management | ||
| Data Communications and Networking | ||
| Data Management/Analytics: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Database Management Systems | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Enterprise Resource Planning: Systems Administration | ||
| Database Administration | ||
| Advanced Networking/Security | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Digital Forensics | ||
| Network Forensics | ||
| Advanced Computer Networks | ||
| Cryptography | ||
| Security and Privacy Issues in Information Technology | ||
| E-Commerce and Cloud Computing in Business | ||
| Systems/Artificial Intelligence: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Shell Programming | ||
| Linux System Administration | ||
| Compiler Design | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Robotics and Machine Intelligence | ||
| Elective | ||
| Select sufficient upper-division units from Computer Science (CSCI) or Computer Information Systems (CINS) to ensure at least 84 units in the major. 1 | 4-6 | |
| Formal Business Minor Requirements | ||
| The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, also fulfill requirements for a Minor in Business Administration. 2 | ||
| ACCT 201 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 202 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BLAW 203 | Introduction to Business Law | 3 |
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomic Analysis | 3 |
| FINA 307 | Survey of Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 303 | Survey of Management | 3 |
| MINS 301 | Corporate Technology Integration | 3 |
| MKTG 305 | Survey of Marketing | 3 |
| Total Units | 82-86 | |
- 1
A maximum of three units may be taken for credit/no credit grading.
- 2
Students are responsible for formally declaring the Minor in Business Administration.
Additional Computer Information Systems Graduation Requirement
Graduating seniors must complete an exit exam as a requirement for graduation. Passing the exam is not required for the degree; the scores will be used for program assessment. Consult the department office for examination details.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
Well-qualified students majoring in computer information systems are encouraged to apply for Honors in Computer Information Systems. The program is open to junior and senior computer information systems majors who have completed nine upper-division units in computer science, including CSCI 311 with a grade of B or higher. Honors students take the honors version of one required course (many 400/500-level courses have an honors version, check with your major advisor) and complete an honors project CSCI 499H in the same subject as their honors course. The six units of honors courses replace CINS 490 and one additional required course.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).
- CSCI 217/MATH 217 is an approved major course substitution for Critical Thinking (A3).
- CSCI 301W is an approved major course substitution for Upper Division Arts and Humanities (UD-C).
The following GE courses also meet major requirements:
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.