You are in the official 2008-2009 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 2008-2009 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
B.S. in Business
Administration
Computer Information Systems Option
Certificate in Business Information Systems
Certificate
in Network Administration
Donald N. Stengel, Chair
Randy J. Anderson, Priscilla M. Chaffe-Stengel, Myron Hatcher, James Henson, Jay Jung, Ojoung Kwon, Wallace C. Liu, William S. Mallios, Kathleen E. Moffitt, Sasan Rahmatian, Peter Simis, Rafael Solis, Tomasz R. Wielicki
The Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences employs full-time
and part-time faculty with extensive expertise in statistics, systems analysis
and design, computer programing, networking, telecommunications, geographic
information systems, business communication, database systems, expert systems
and Web page design. These faculty come from all over the world and have
Ph.D. degrees from major American and foreign universities.
Computer and information systems are at the forefront of most courses offered in the department. Every course deals with the development and use of information technology (IT) by managers in support of their decision-making roles. Those interested in specializing in the Information Systems (IS) option can choose from a broad set of courses designed to prepare them for challenging, productive, and well-paying jobs in one of the fastest growing career paths. The IS graduate is qualified for literally hundreds of different jobs being performed by IT professionals. Graduates of this department have found successful employment at prestigious firms such as Andersen Consulting, Hewlett-Packard, Siemens, and Gallo.
The Computer Information Systems Option provides students with the knowledge, skills, and modern tools in the area of IT. Students will learn about the strategic role of IS in business decision making. They will also learn how to design systems to solve management problems in all functional areas of business. Included in the curriculum are courses in data communication, network administration, database systems, geographic information systems, end-user computing, expert systems, Web page design, programming, and systems analysis and design.
Job titles fall into three categories: application development, technical development, and systems support.
Applications developers (e.g. systems analysts) are responsible for creating and maintaining the business software and systems a company needs. Systems analysts' jobs require strong interpersonal skills, as they spend much of their time with the users determining needs and processing functions. In addition, they must have thorough knowledge of business application systems. They often know as much about the company's work (for example, banking) as anyone in the company. Many of our IS graduates are hired in this category.
Technical developers (e.g. database administrators, network specialists) work with the operating, database, and network systems. Their jobs are generally concerned with managing the computer environment. Usually, working in teams, they are responsible for integrating the different hardware and software systems within the company.
Systems support personnel (e.g. Web site managers, system administrators) are responsible for the daily operation of all computer systems, both hardware and software. Support jobs differ with the computer environment. Support people often do not create, maintain, or develop software. They often move into technical development as they gain more on-the-job experience.
The Certificate in Business Information Systems is directed toward enhancing the knowledge of candidates for entry level IS- related positions. The program consists of five-course sequence involving the same IS core courses required for the IS option students. The details regarding this certificate are outlined on the next page.
The Certificate in Network Administration is designed to enhance
the knowledge, practical experience, and employability of candidates who
have had IS-related job experience and wish to expand their expertise. The
details regarding this certificate are outlined on the next page.
Students who study in the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department receive classroom instruction, listen to guest speakers, and enjoy field trips. They are also exposed to modern computer laboratories for the quantitative, computer, and business communication classes throughout the semester. The computer laboratories provide the student with the valuable opportunity of hands-on computer experience for such classes as computer programming and statistical analysis.
Information Systems and Decision
Sciences Courses