Full-Time Faculty: Edward J. Garrity Chair;, Edward J. Szewczak, Linda Volonino.
The degree in Information Systems (IS) prepares students for leadership careers in business and provides technical skills for the current job market that is characterized by increasing reliance on information technology, data networks, computer security and telecommunications.
The IS curriculum provides its majors with:
- Technical and managerial skills in systems analysis, design and implementation.
- A comprehensive overview of telecommunication systems, including data and voice networks.
- The ability to design and develop interactive E-Commerce Web sites.
- The knowledge to design and develop database systems, including databases for (interactive) Internet applications.
- Knowledge and skills in application development.
Student Learning Goal 1:Majors in the IS program, within the School of Business Administration, also learn the functional areas of business and international commerce-accounting, marketing, management, human resources, economics and finance. Focusing on internships and electives can help students develop expertise in the IT area of their choice.
Students will understand principles of systems analysis and design including the appropriate application of techniques to elicit and document user requirements of an information system.
Student Learning Goal 2:
Students will understand information technology (IT) project management principles in order to be able to apply these principles to a practical situation.
Student Learning Goal 3:
Students will understand the design principles of computer network architectures in order to be able to apply these principles to a business problem.
Student Learning Goal 4:
Students will apply concepts for effectively retrieving information from relational databases using ANSI structured query language (SQL).
Student Learning Goal 5:
Students will apply principles of database design and effectively design database schemas based on conceptual business models
Majors will be prepared for a variety of positions as information systems analysts, Internet programmers or website designers, and computer network analysts. IS majors also have the freedom to take classes for careers in the fast-growing area of computer security. Computer security has job growth in both the private and public sectors.
Information Systems Curriculum
Please visit http://is.canisius.edu/ for updated course information
Core Curriculum: See Pages 38-40 for the Core Curriculum requirements. Students in all majors are expected to fulfill Core requirements.
Major course requirements: (22 or 23 courses)
| Common body of business knowledge: | ||
| Mat 105 Finite Mathematics | ||
| AND | ||
| MAT 106 Calculus for the Non-Sciences | ||
| OR | ||
| MAT 111 Calculus I | ||
| OR | ||
| MAT 115 Calculus for Business I | ||
| ACC 201 Financial Accounting | ||
| ACC 202 Managerial Accounting | ||
| ECO 101 Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| ECO 102 Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| ECO 255 Business Statistics I | ||
| ECO 256 Business Statistics II | ||
| FIN 201 Introduction to Finance | ||
| ISB 101 Management Technology | ||
| MGT 101 Introduction to Management | ||
| MGT 325 Operations Analysis for Business | ||
| MGT 370 Managerial Environment | ||
| MGT 446 Managerial Policy Strategy | ||
| MKT 201 Principles of Marketing | ||
| Information Systems majors: | ||
| ISB 205 Management Software (includes Project Management credits) | ||
| ISB 211 Computer Programming for Business | ||
| ISB 340 Data Base Management Systems | ||
| ISB 350 Telecommunications and Networking | ||
| ISB 455 E-Commenrce and Web Site Design | ||
| ISB 475 Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| IS Electives (1 or 2 courses) | ||
| Restricted Electives (must be liberal arts) 4 courses | ||
| Free Electives (3 or 4 courses) | ||
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||
| Freshman Year | ||||
| FYS 101 | 3 credits | ENG 101 | 3 credits | |
| MAT 105 OR MAT 115 OR MAT 111 |
3 or 4 credits | MAT 106 OR FREE ELEC IF MAT 115/111 | 3 credits | |
| ISB 101 | 3 credits | ECO 102 MICRO | 3 credits | |
| ECO 101 MACRO Social Sciences Field | 3 credits | RST 101 | 3 credits | |
| Business International Requirement (Two semesters of language or approved regional studies His 107-108, 109-110, 131-132–when taken is flexible) |
3 credits | Business International Requirement (2 semester sequence required) | 3 credits | |
| Sophomore Year | ||||
| ISB 205 (Management Software) | 3 credits | ISB 211 (Programming for Business) | 3 credits | |
| ACC 201 | 3 credits | ACC 202 | 3 credits | |
| ECO 255 STATS 1 Mathematics Field | 3 credits | ECO 256 STATS 2 | 3 credits | |
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | Field of Knowledge | 3 credits | |
| MGT 101 | 3 credits | Field of Knowledge | 3 credits | |
| Junior Year | ||||
| ISB 340 (Database) | 3 credits | ISB Elective | 3 credits | |
| FIN 201 | 3 credits | MGT 325 | 3 credits | |
| MKT 201 | 3 credits | Field of Knowledge | 3 credits | |
| Field of Knowledge | 3 credits | Core Capstone | 3 credits | |
| Field of Knowledge | 3 credits | MGT 370 | 3 credits | |
| Senior Year | ||||
| ISB 350 (Telecommunications) | 3 credits | MGT 446 | 3 credits | |
| ISB 455 (E-Commerce) | 3 credits | ISB Elective | 3 credits | |
| A&S Elective | 3 credits | ISB 475 (Systems Analysis – Capstone) |
3 credits | |
| A&S Elective | 3 credits | A&S Elective | 3 credits | |
| A&S Elective | 3 credits | Free Elective | 3 credits |
Information Systems Minor
The IS minor consists of 5 courses, in addition to ISB 101. There are two required ISB courses; the other three ISB courses are selected by the student. For Criminal Justice, Psychology and Digital Media majors who are interested in a custom-designed IS minor that allows a specialization, please contact Dr. Linda Volonino.
Two required courses:
- ISB 205 Management Software OR ISB 211 Computer Programming for Business
- (2) ISB 340 Database Management Systems
- ISB 302 System Dynamics
- ISB 350 Telecommunications & Networking
- ISB 455 eCommerce and Web Design
- ISB 460 Computer Forensics
- ISB 470 Cyber Security
- ISB 480 IT Project Management
Computer forensics is the science of acquiring, preserving, retrieving and presenting data that has been processed electronically and stored on electronic media. Computer forensics refers to E-mail and instant message (IM) forensics, cellular phone and digital camera forensics, PDA and iPOD forensics, GPS and Internet forensics.
Computer forensics is appropriate for students interested in a career in information security, criminal justice, forensic accounting, law enforcement, or federal investigations—as well as computer forensics investigations for defense and plaintiff lawyers.
This is a multi-disciplinary minor designed for students who have chosen any academic major in either the School of Arts & Sciences or School of Business, but who may have an academic or career interest in computer forensics.
Required courses (all 3 credit courses):
- CRJ 227 Criminal Justice I
- CRJ 228 Criminal Justice II
- ISB 350 Telecommunications and Networking
- ISB 460 Computer Forensics
- ISB 470 Cyber Security
- An ethics course: MGT 370 or CRJ 482 (SOC 482)
ISB 101 Management Technology 3 credits
Introduction to information systems, hardware and software; information systems concepts in business; telecommunications; Ecommerce; enterprise systems; ethics, crime and security. Hands-on development of business applications.
ISB 205 Management Software 3 credits
Project management using MS Project; advanced data analysis and graphics with MS Access; database concepts and design; presentation graphics.
ISB 211 Computer Programming for Business 3 credits
Introduction to the Visual Basic programming language and fundamentals of software design. Database programming, interface design and general problem solving with an emphasis on business applications. Prerequisite: ISB 101.
ISB 302 System Dynamics 3 credits
An introduction to systems thinking and system dynamics. Uses tools and computer models to help solve interdisciplinary problems. Using computer-based models or virtual worlds, one can then test the consequences of actions before making actual decisions. (Field 5 of Core Curriculum)
ISB 340 Database Management Systems 3 credits
Design and application of database management systems. Topics include structured query language (SQL); data structures; querying and report writing; database design and administration; data mining and security. Prerequisite: ISB 101 or equivalent.
ISB 350 Telecommunications and Networking 3 credits
Digital (data) and voice networks; network hardware, software and protocols. Wired and wireless communication. Prerequisite: ISB 101 or equivalent.
ISB 455 E-Commerce and Web Design 3 credits
Fundamentals of E-commerce applications and technologies. Interactive website and or consumer shopping ecommerce design and development. Prerequisite: ISB 340.
ISB 460 Computer Forensics 3 credits
Introducing forensics tools to investigate computers, networks, Internet activities, Email, cell phones and other digital media devices to recover electronic evidence, even if it’s been deleted. Skills to investigate crimes involving computers or Internet. Prerequisite: ISB 101 or equivalent.
ISB 470 Cyber Security 3 credits
Technical, legal and policy defenses to protect databases and information systems. Topics considered include intrusion detection, malware, host- and network-based vulnerabilities and countermeasures, database security, identity theft and privacy. Prerequisite: ISB 451.
ISB 471 Information Systems Topics 3 credits
The specific course coverage changes from semester to semester as new developments in IS arise. Timely and important topics in the Information Systems field that have been covered include: Enterprise design, Java programming and IS security.
ISB 475 Systems Analysis and Design 3 credits
In-depth coverage of information systems development. Topics include the systems development life cycle, analysis methods, data flow diagramming, design tools, and project management techniques and concepts. Prerequisite: ISB 340, ISB 350, and senior standing.
ISB 480 IT Project Management 3 credits
Lab course using MS Project. Topics include managing risk, cost overruns, schedule delays and resource allocation of IT projects; meeting customer requirements; budgeting; successful teamwork; and political issues.
ISB 499 Internship 3 credits