The Information Sciences degree program focuses on using technology as a tool to manage information in a variety of contexts. The program includes a core of courses focusing on business programming, e-commerce technology, systems analysis and design, operating systems concepts, database management systems, networks and data communications, and project management.
Students choose a concentration area of information systems courses and an area of interest comprised of a cohesive body of knowledge outside of the Computer and Information Systems Department. Studies lead to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Sciences with several available areas of concentration.
The Information Sciences degree program is one of only two out of 43 such programs to be accredited by the ABET-Computing Accreditation Commission. This accreditation assures that the program is in compliance with the latest national standards for information systems programs in the United States.
According to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is expected to be a high demand for computing professionals though 2020, partially due to the large number of baby boomers due to retire in the next decade.
RMU is working to meet this need by offering students the types of computing courses that will prepare them for such careers as systems analyst, telecommunications analyst, application developer, client/server operations analyst, consultant, programmer, and software engineer are possible career options for graduates.
2010 national mean bachelor-level entry-level salaries:| By type of employer | By job function | ||||
| Aerospace | $57,000 | Computer Programming | $49,780 | ||
| Banking (Investment) | $56,667 | Consulting | $53,875 | ||
| Computer Systems Design/Consulting/Programming | $47,000 | Investment Banking (Sales/Trading) | $57,000 | ||
| Consulting Services | $59,250 | Network Administration | $53,333 | ||
| Financial Services | $59,700 | Software Design and Development | $49,333 | ||
| Government (State and Local) | $40,000 | Systems Analysis and Design | $56,667 | ||
| Insurance | $69,500 | Other Computer Related | $52,356 | ||
| Software Publishers | $55,000 | ||||
| 2009 RMU Salary Survey | Mean: | Range: | |||
| Computer Information Systems | $67,500 | $50,000 - $85,000 | |||
| Information Sciences | $58,200 | $44,600 - $75,000 | |||
| Information Systems Management | $40,167 | $25,000 - $70,000 |
Our graduates work for: Allegheny County, Baker Installations, Bayer, Community College of Beaver County, Celebro Auto Chooser, Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, Concentria, Coventry Healthcare, CTR Systems, E-Profile, Envirotrol, FedEx Ground, Fiserv, Giant Eagle, GNC, Healthtec Software, Integrated Health Systems, J&L Specialty Steel, Management Science Associates, McKesson Automation, Mellon Financial, National City Corp., Oncology Nursing Society, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PC Network Services, Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Technical Institute, R/M Analytical Services, Southwest Behavioral Health Management, Target Resources, Tissue Informatics, Total Equipment, Union Switch & Signal, University of Pittsburgh, U.S. Steel, and Wesco Distribution.
| FRESHMAN/Fall Semester | FRESHMAN/Spring Semester |
| Reading and Writing Strategies | Intro. to Decision Support Systems |
| Survey of Economics | General Psychology |
| History elective | Principles of Sociology |
| Humanities: Art and Music | Argument & Research |
| Elective | Science elective |
| SOPHOMORE/Fall Semester | SOPHOMORE/Spring Semester |
| Statistics | Operating Systems |
| VB.Net Programming | VB.Net Programming II |
| Intro. to Web Development and E-Commerce | Business Professional Communication |
| Management Theory and Practice | English Lit. elective |
| Public Speaking and Persuasion | Elective |
| JUNIOR/Fall Semester | JUNIOR/Spring Semester |
| Intro. to Financial Accounting | Managerial Accounting |
| Quantitative Analysis | Business Law |
| Network Technology and Management | Database Management Systems |
| Systems Analysis | Finite Math and Applied Calculus |
| Information Sciences elective | Advanced Systems Analysis |
| Information Sciences elective | |
| SENIOR/Fall Semester | SENIOR/Spring Semester |
| Global, Economic, and Social Issues in Computing | Project Management |
| Information Sciences elective | Elective |
| Information Sciences elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
Students develop professional experience through internships and cooperative education in Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit and health care organizations, and with small businesses. The supervised work experience provides the student with hands-on experience in hardware and software technology, applications, and organizational operations.
There is always a strong demand for computing internships in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Even as the recession hit, this demand remained steady. Just about every organization that hires our graduates for full-time positions is also regularly looking to hire interns. As a result, the number of internships available usually exceeds the number of candidates, which is an advantage for our students. In fact, a large number of our undergraduate majors have jobs in the field once they complete their second year of study.
The Computer and Information Systems Department also offers a five-year, integrated B.S. and M.S. degree for all six of its master's degree programs. For most students, the program requires 150 credits.
The Wheatley Center
The School of Communications and Information Systems is now housed in the Wheatley Center. This soaring, 50,000 square-foot complex, glowing with colored LED accents, includes classrooms, computer labs, media arts studios, editing suites, a gallery, and teleconferencing facilities, as well as faculty and administrative offices, student meeting spaces and a café. The new building also provides access to geographic information systems software and business intelligence software.
Within walking distance to the new building are facilities that provide opportunities for students to develop expertise in a range of media. Students perform and produce plays and musicals in our theater; they produce our student newspaper, The Sentry, and our literary magazine, RUNE, in our newsroom; they produce documentaries, attend lectures and learn from visiting scholars in our Media Arts House; and they produce and host news, entertainment, and sports programs in our state-of-the-art Academic Media Center’s broadcast facility and our Internet radio station.
Scholarships are available based upon academic achievement.
For freshmen, high school grade point average and ACT/SAT scores are used. For transfer students, the cumulative grade point average of all college courses is used. Scholarships range from $1000 per year up to full tuition. (To calculate your scholarship eligibility, click here.)
Higher education is an investment in your future.
At Robert Morris University, we will work closely with you to show you how to finance your education through a combination of need-based financial aid, scholarships, and financing strategies to make your education attainable. RMU has one of the lowest tuition rates of all private institutions in the state, but we know that financing your education can be complicated, and your family might need help in understanding your options.
Talk to us—we can help!
Email us at finaid@rmu.edu
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