MS.IS 07/01/15

The Master of Science (MS) in Information Systemsprogram is designed to prepare graduates for leadershiproles in the planning, design, development, deployment,and management of information systems. This programis grounded in accepted business and technicalstandards with a focus on theory and methods ofbuilding effective information systems. The MS inInformation Systems program begins with an IT Coreand extends through topics specifically related toaligning information systems to meet enterprise needs.

We also offer a Bachelor of Science in InformationTechnology (IT) Management.

For gainful employment disclosures about this program,visit http://west.edu/etc/west/gainful-employment/msis/Gedt.html

Program Learning Outcomes

Evaluate the role of the information systemsprofessional in an information-driven society.

1.

Create appropriate solutions to management issueswithin an industry that is continually redesigned.

2.

Organize relationships that meet the enterprise’smission, objectives, and goals effectively.

3.

Develop and implement new and innovativetechnologies to meet the expanding demands andglobal opportunities.

4.

Measure the effectiveness of diverse technologiesmeeting individual and organizational needs.

5.

Appraise the value of technology to the enterprisewithin the local, national, and global context.

6.

Evaluate the role of malicious technology in thecurrent organizational environment.

7.

Evaluate the role of enabling technology in the currentorganizational environment.

8.

Required Course of Study

MS IS Undergraduate Requirements - 9 credits

Major Requirements - 15 credits

MS IS Core - 24 credits

Credits Required for Degree: 39

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Master of Science in InformationSystems

MS IS Undergraduate Requirements

MS IS Undergraduate Requirements – 9 credits

IT 309 Introduction to Programming and ScriptingThis course provides an introduction to programmingand scripting languages. Students will explore aprofessional approach to developing anddocumenting software systems that support currentbusiness and technical objectives.

IT 323 Systems Engineering MethodologiesThis course explores system engineeringmethodologies for the development of informationsystems. Students will be presented with principles andconcepts that emphasize each phase of the systemsdevelopment life cycle.

IT 360 Quality Assurance and Configuration

ManagementThis course focuses on techniques used to test andimplement information systems applications. Studentsexamine configurations and risk management policiesand procedures to ensure quality of service.

Major Course Descriptions

Major Requirements – 15 credits

IT 644 Telecommunication SystemsThis course provides a local-to-global perspective ontelecommunications technologies and standards.Students create a business/technology network-oriented plan to support a particular organizationalstrategy. Themes include wireless, broadband, andoptical networking, mobile technology, and competingservices.

IT 651 Software Design Methodology*This programming language-independent coursepermits the student to explore formal methods andprinciples of modern software engineering. Studentsdesign medium-sized software projects fromspecifications while applying key principles to ensurethe software is accurate, efficient, modular, reusable,structured, and well documented. Topics includesoftware tools, object-oriented design, and projectmanagement.

*Prerequisite: IT 309 and IT 654

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Master of Science in InformationSystems

MS.IS 07/01/15

IT 661 Security SystemsThis course concentrates on how security can beintegrated into systems, applications, andcommunications. Students learn the importance ofplanning and implementing defenses that meet thevarious levels of confidentiality and security required forbusiness data. Subjects include cryptography, databaseand data mining security, privacy in computing, andlegal and ethical issues in computer security.

IT 672 Integrated Business Intelligence and Data Analytics*This course offers students insight to concepts andprocesses associated with business intelligence (BI).Particular emphasis is placed on an issue confronting alltypes of organizations; the transformation of growingamounts of data into information that will permitenterprise decision-makers to drive changes that attainbusiness value in a timely manner. This course isdesigned for advanced graduate students and includescurrent topics in BI related to “big data.”

*Prerequisite: IT 654

IT 680 Intrusion Detection and Analysis: Security Beyond

the Firewall*This course examines enterprise security needs andsuggests necessary security procedures. Students explorethe use of intrusion detection system tools to recognizenormal vs. abnormal network behavior. Topics includeInternet Protocol, network traffic analysis, Internetattacks, network intelligence procedures, and futuretrends in network security and intrusion detection.

*Prerequisite: IT 661

MS IS Core Course Descriptions

MS IS Core – 24 credits

CUL 623 Global Communication for ProfessionalsThis course provides an overview of critical topics relatedto professional communication and develops techniquesfor successful intercultural exchanges. Students analyzeglobal communication differences that affectorganizational decision-making and labor relations.Themes include communication models, researchmethods, proxemics, and negotiation processes.

BUS 620 Ethical Leadership and Corporate ResponsibilityThis course examines ethical systems and the ways inwhich corporate ideals are reflected in individual and

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Master of Science in InformationSystems

organizational behavior. Students investigate ethicaldilemmas to discover how congruence betweenindividual and corporate values is developed andmaintained. Themes include the nature of morality,disparate legal systems, and business ethics.

IT 620 Information Resource ManagementThis course includes the techniques and methodologyof managing data, information, and knowledge at alllevels of an organization. Students describe thebusiness environment within the structures of theinformation age and how information managementinforms organizational strategies. Themes includeinformation systems planning, systems development,outsourcing, and leadership.

IT 630 Technology Project ManagementThis course highlights the importance of projectmanagement skills in the delivery of complexinformation technology projects. Students learn theprocess of project management at all levels, fromdefining requirements to successfully closing outprojects. Themes include time and cost management,quality management, human resources andcommunications management, and risk management.

IT 638 Economics of Information Systems and Proposal

Management*

This course permits students the opportunity to

develop the skills needed to manage IT cost within an

organization and acquire resources from prospective

providers. Students focus on the planning and

implementation of information systems using internal

and external human resources for improved

performance at the functional level. Topics include

proposal development, interpretation of requirements,

cost information, and financial presentations.

*Prerequisite: IT 323

IT 645 Internet Business StrategyThis course permits the student to explore how newtechnology enables a competitive advantage bytransforming relationships with customers, suppliers,and business partners. Students demonstrate thetransition from current business approaches to e-business strategies with the preparation of an e-

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Master of Science in InformationSystems

MS.IS 07/01/15

business plan. Subjects include e-commerce, supplychain management (SCM), Enterprise ApplicationIntegration (EAI), and customer relationshipmanagement (CRM).

IT 654 Integrated Data Resource Management*This course permits the student to analyze theorganizational needs, technology, and managementnecessary to store and manipulate data with anemphasis on databases in client/server, distributed, andservice-oriented environments. Students comparecommon database architectures. Topics include “bigdata” in the context of Internet-based, object-oriented,and enterprise databases and the query languages anddatabase management systems (DBMS) that supportthem.

*Prerequisite: IT 360

RES 600 Graduate Research MethodsThis course provides graduate students with the toolsnecessary for completing the in-depth research, reading,writing, and speaking activities central to all courseworkat West. Students advance their studies of researchdesign and methodology and apply these skills to theirprograms of study. Subjects include primary andsecondary research, descriptive and inferential statistics,regression and correlation analysis, and researchpresentation.

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Master of Science in InformationSystems