Computer Information Systems

About this Composite Major

The Computer Information Systems major prepares students with a foundation in problem-solving skills required to design and implement technology solutions to support business needs. The courses use project-based curricula that first teach the concepts of the subject matter and then require the students to apply the concepts.

Students often work in teams to encourage the learning of group dynamics and soft-skills. The CSSE Department has joined in Academic Alliances with technology companies such as SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce, using these technologies to complete hands-on projects.

Students graduating with a Computer Information Systems Degree have a 100% in-field job placement rate. Career opportunities are Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Database Administrator, MIS Technician, MIS Manager, Network Administrator, Computer Security Specialist, Computer Programmer, Software Engineer, Software Implementation Consultant, IT Team Leader and IT Project Manager. Visit our page at csse.vcsu.edu. Let your dream become a reality at Valley City State University!

Meet a Student

- Derek Bear, VCSU student and CIS major, works with livestreaming software during a football game.

My major is Computer Information Systems. I chose that because it fit well with the IT job that I want to go into, and I enjoy working with computers. Additionally, it can get me nearly any IT job around the country with better wages. - Derek Bear, Valley City, N.D.

Jobs with a Computer Information Systems Degree

- In the upper Midwest last year there were 1,165,462 jobs posted for those with a CIS degree. Of those jobs, 89% required a bachelor’s degree and the average salary for a CIS graduate is $92,000.

A degree in Computer Information Systems from VCSU can open up opportunities you never thought possible. This is a growing career field and careers open to graduates with this degree can include:

Software developer
Network or systems engineer
IT manager
Database specialist
Front-end application designer
Web developer
Computer scientist
UI/UX designer
Computer programmer

Practical Experience

Students are encouraged to work for internship credits while completing their degree in Computer Information Systems. Companies such as Doosan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Bobcat, Eide Bailly, Thomson Reuters, Cavendish, John Deere, Microsoft, Appareo Systems, NBC Universal, and Best Buy have welcomed VCSU students in their internship programs.

VCSU students develop excellent technology and soft skills and many are hired into full-time positions with these companies after graduation. In addition to internships, cooperative research projects with faculty give students first-hand experience with advanced research techniques. Computer Information Systems majors join Software Engineering majors in the capstone course to work as a team to solve real world problems. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the VCSU Student ACM Chapter to learn more about careers and technical topics while networking with other students, faculty, and potential employers.

“Valley City State University offers excellent Software Engineering and Computer Information Systems degrees. The top-notch instructors along with the smaller class sizes provided me with an excellent education. I feel fully prepared for a job in either of these fields.” —Patrick McCarthy '20, Hazen, ND

Contact Information

Department Chair and Faculty Contact

Susan Pfeifer, susan.pfeifer@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7719

Department Location

McFarland Hall 138, (701) 845-7550

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ^1,2
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ²
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics ¹
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics ¹
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ACCT 200	Elements of Accounting I	3
ACCT 201	Elements of Accounting II	3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security	3
CIS 329	Information Systems Management	3
CIS 341	Customer Relationship Management Software Administration	3
CIS 369	Enterprise Systems	3
CIS 470	Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Business Intelligence (BI)	4
CIS 465	IS Strategy Management and Acquisition	3
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java	3
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology	3
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics	3
SE 110	Discovering Computing	3
SE 380	Systems Analysis and Design	3
SE 381	Project Management	3
SE 385	Database Theory/Design	3
SE 480	Capstone	3
Select one of the following:		3
ENGL 310	Writing in the Major
ENGL 410	Technical and Scientific Writing
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web
Directed Electives
Select an additional fifteen hours from courses with the prefix CIS, SE, or CSCI.		15
Total Credits		67

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 67 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

Freshman
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ACCT 200	3	ACCT 201	3
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	CIS 147	3
SE 110	3	Directed Elective	3
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 125 (Gen Ed)	3
Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3	MATH 104 (Gen Ed)	3
UNIV 150	1
	16		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CSCI 289	3	CIS 329	3
ECON 201 (Gen Ed)	3	CSCI 127	3
MATH 210	3	ECON 202 (Gen Ed)	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	Directed Elective	3
Humanities Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3
	16		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CIS 465	3	CIS 341	3
CIS 470	4	HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2
SE 380	3	SE 381	3
Elective	3	Directed Elective	3
Elective	3	Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2
		Elective	3
	16		16
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CIS 369	3	SE 480	3
ENGL 410	3	Directed Elective	3
SE 385	3	Elective	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	Elective	3
Directed Elective	3	Elective	3
	16		15
Total Credits 125

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Students understand problem requirements and identify technology solutions for those needs, and communicate solutions effectively.
Students understand the big picture, how pieces fit together, and impact other pieces of the overall system.
Students research solutions to solve problems in a self-directed manner.
Students manage simple projects and work in high performing teams to complete projects successfully.