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Information Systems

Concentrations

Information Systems -
"Providing Digital Solutions to Empower Businesses"

Information Systems (IS) graduates are business professionals who know how to apply leading technologies to help firms solve business problems and become more competitive. They work with managers and executives to identify business requirements and to translate those requirements into IS solutions that are then implemented by technology specialists.

IS bridges the gap between technology and various business disciplines, such as business analytics, finance, accounting, marketing, and supply chain. Combining IS with a second business concentration helps students stand out in the competitive job market.

IS professionals have a diversity of roles beyond developing computer code. Technology-focused companies often hire IS graduates and offer them a career path to a job that doesn't require coding, like business analysis and project management.

Successful IS students are those who:

  • Have an interest in technology
  • Like problem solving
  • Are good communicators
  • Enjoy interacting with people in business and technology

Information Systems is part of the COngdon School, learn more

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75%

Job Placement on Graduation Day (2022 Data)

$70.6K

Average starting salary in 2022 for IS majors

70%+

IS graduates who had a paid internship before graduation

Common IS Careers

Business Analyst
Software Developer / Engineer
Project Manager

Business / System Analysts work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and help organizations improve their processes. In addition they may be responsible for designing and implementing technology solutions to solve business problems.  Recommended courses for this career path:

  • MIS 315 - Management of Database Systems
  • MIS 316 - Business Application Development
  • MIS 323 - Telecommunications and Enabling Technologies
  • MIS 411 - System Analysis
  • MIS 480 - IT Resource Planning and Management

  • Electives (Select 2):
    • MIS 419 - Project Management
    • MIS 329 - Business Intelligence
    • MIS 498 - MIS Internship

Software Developers / Engineers design and develop software applications that meet the needs of organizations. They work to identify requirements and develop software solutions that meet those requirements. Recommended courses for this career path are:

  • MIS 315 - Management of Database Systems
  • MIS 316 - Business Application Development
  • MIS 323 - Telecommunications and Enabling Technologies
  • MIS 411 - System Analysis
  • MIS 413 - System Design (Capstone)

  • Electives (Select 2)
    • MIS 310 - Web Development Languages
    • MIS 419 - Project Management
    • MIS 498 - MIS Internship

Project Managers are responsible for leading teams and managing projects from start to finish. They ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the needs of the organization. Recommended courses for this career path are:

  • MIS 315 - Management of Database Systems
  • MIS 316 - Business Application Development
  • MIS 323 - Telecommunications and Enabling Technologies
  • MIS 411 - System Analysis
  • MIS 480 - IT Resource Planning and Management

  • Electives (Select 2) 
    • MIS 419 -Project Management
    • MIS 413 - System Design (Capstone)
    • MIS 329 - Business Intelligence
    • MIS 498 - MIS Internship

IS Grads Popular Job Titles / Employers / Career Events

  1. Business / Systems Analysts
  2. Software Developers / Engineers
  3. Project Managers
  4. Data Analysts
  5. IT Consultants
  6. Cybersecurity Analysts
  7. Database Analysts/Managers
  8. Network Administrators
  9. IS Management
  • Ally Financial Svc, Charlotte, NC
  • Apiture, Wilmington, NC
  • Central Square, Wilmington, NC
  • Credit Suisse, Raleigh, NC
  • Deloitte, Charlotte, NC
  • FIS, Raleigh, NC
  • Focus Broadband, Leland, NC
  • Forvis, Raleigh, NC
  • insightsoftware, Raleigh, NC
  • Live Oak Bank, Wilmington, NC
  • MetLife, Raleigh, NC
  • Milestone Group, Norfolk, MA
  • nCino, Wilmington, NC
  • PWC, Atlanta, GA
  • PublicInput.com, Raleigh, NC
  • The IS group in the Congdon School has an active advisory board comprised of local IS professionals. Advisory board members provide input to ensure and improve the quality of the IS program; their companies also offer internships and permanent jobs to our students and graduates.
  • Many of our graduates find jobs in the financial sector.
  • Every year, we take a day-long bus trip to the Research Triangle Park to visit potential employers, most recently Credit Suisse, MetLife and NetApp.
  • Every fall, Tech and Analytics Career Day offers IS students a unique opportunity to hear from recent graduates about their work in the field and to network with potential employers.
  • Every spring, WITX (the Wilmington Information Technology eXchange) brings together students, faculty, staff, and local IS and IT professionals.
Which technology degree is best for me?

IS, IT, Cybersecurity, CS: What's the Difference?

Information Systems is different from Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science. All four disciplines contribute to the success of technology applications in business.  While the disciplines overlap, their unique areas of study/work are:

  • IS professionals focus on the purpose, requirements and contribution of IS to business success. They think of ways that technology can improve business processes, and often manage IT projects. IS professionals bring their business knowledge to the solution table.
  • IT professionals focus on the implementation, operation, maintenance, and protection of applications, data and information technology infrastructure.
  • Cybersecurity professionals focus on ensuring a firm's data and network assets are secure.
  • CS professionals focus on the technical design and development of software components.

Courses

Study of the design and administration of database systems in a business environment. The relational model is used along with database management software to facilitate the communication and distribution of data and its conversion into information, with an emphasis on sound design principles. Topics include entity-relationship modeling, normalization, and the structured query language (SQL).

Intermediate programming in an event driven, rapid application development context. Emphasis is on writing high-quality code that is easy to debug, test, and maintain, culminating in database interaction.
A study of the role of telecommunications in businesses as well as emerging networking/security technologies that will enable and potentially change how organizations conduct business in a networked economy. The course covers telecommunication topics such as the network layers, architecture, design, and use of telecommunications technologies and systems (with an emphasis on local area networks). The course also focuses on various emerging technologies (e.g., cloud) and the potential business impact of these technologies.
Processes and methods used for identifying and documenting information systems requirements and developing systems specifications. Topics include the systems development life cycle, analysis tools, development methodologies, and techniques for effective communication.

MIS 413 - Involves the analysis, design and implementation of a real world project employing a 3-tier development process. New skills introduced include advanced web development concepts, emerging web tools, and project management. Topics expanded are database design, systems analysis and design, UML, and technical communication.  

MIS 480 - This course will explore the management and strategic alignment of IT resources within the organization. Topics include IT strategy, IT alignment, planning and managing technology resources and integration of emerging technology into the organization. 

Select one of the above based on your career path.

  • MIS 310 - Web Page Development Languages 
  • MIS 329 - Reporting and Business Intelligence
  • MIS 413 - System Design (Capstone) *
  • MIS 419 - IT Project Planning
  • MIS 480 - IT Resource Planning and Management *
  • MIS 491 - Independent Study
  • MIS 498 - Internship

or choose from any 300 - 400 level course in MIS or CIT or ACG 306.

* if not taken earlier as part of the core courses.

Contact Information

Judith Gebauer

Phone: (910) 962-7884

gebauerj@uncw.edu

Congdon Hall 2050

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