Information Sciences B.S.
Design innovative ways for organizations to manage their information systems to maintain a competitive edge.
The B.S. in Information Sciences focuses on using technology to manage information. You will analyze how people use, organize, store and manipulate information and how to use technology effectively in those processes in small and large settings. You will find solutions to various information problems.
The program includes courses on business programming, e-commerce technology, systems analysis and design, operating systems concepts, database management systems, networks and data communications, and project management. Students select from concentrations in healthcare information systems, network administration, office information systems, security, software development, and web design.
- Interdisciplinary Program: The B.S. in Information Sciences degree program provides a comprehensive skillset to managing information in diverse fields. Students gain skills in systems analysis and design, networking, cloud computing, business, organizational leadership, and data management. Graduates are prepared to manage information systems needs in any industry.
- Hands-on Experience: Hands-on assignments and exercises in managing information give students techniques to research, design, store, and organize data, protect networks, and manage information systems for organizations.
- Scholar and Practitioner Faculty: Our faculty practice what they teach. They are experienced professionals in information sciences and widely recognized experts in the field. They advance the knowledge in information sciences through their scholarly work on how to manage information.
- High Job Placement Rate: Graduates of the B.S. in Information Sciences program have a 92% job or graduate school placement within a year of graduation. Graduates of this program work for both public and private sector organizations.
Demand for Information Sciences Professionals
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11 percent growth in U.S. employment for computer and information systems/technology experts from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average job growth in the United States.
- Degree Requirements and Courses
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The Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences degree consists of 120 credit hours of coursework.
View Course Sheet View Guided Curriculum
Program Requirements – 9 Credits Required
Minimum grade of “C” must be earned for each course
- INFS3450 - Quantitative Analysis for Information Systems Professionals; or
- INFS4170 - Glob, Econ, Soc, Eth Issues in Computing
- MATH2040 - Finite Math and Applied Calculus
Major – 30 Credits required
Minimum grade of “C” must be earned for each course
- INFS2120 - Visual Basic Programming - 3 ; or
- INFS2160 - Visual C# Programming
- INFS4150 - Web Applic Devel Using Asp.Net
- INFS3210 - Operating Systems Concepts
- INFS3220 - Systems Analysis and Design - 3
- INFS3221 - Advanced Sys Analysis/Design - 3
- INFS3230 - Networks/Data/Computer Comm - 3;
- INFS3235 - Computer & Network Security
- INFS4240 - Database Management System - 3
- INFS4810 - Project Management - 3
- INFS4860 - Program Outcomes Assessment - 0
General Concentration – 12 Credits Required
3000/4000-level INFS courses in consultation with the student’s academic advisor
Minimum grade of “C” must be earned for each course- INFS____ 3000/4000-level Computer Information Systems Elective - 3
- INFS____ 3000/4000-level Computer Information Systems Elective - 3
- INFS____ 3000/4000-level Computer Information Systems Elective - 3
- INFS____ 3000/4000-level Computer Information Systems Elective - 3
Area of Interest – 15 Credits Required
Minimum grade of “C” must be earned for each course
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Select from Accounting, Finance, Legal Environment, Management, Marketing or other Business disciplines and/or Organizational Leadership.
RMU Core Courses – 39 Credits Required
- CSEN1010 - Reading and Writing Strategies; or CSCM2050 Reading & Writing Strategies (Honors section: CSHR2050) - 3
- CSEN1020 Argument & Research (Honors section: CSHR1020) - 3
- CSCM1030 Public Speaking & Persuasion (Honors section: CSHR1030) - 3
- CSCM2040 Professional Communication in Workplace (Honors section: CSHR2040) - 3
- ECON1010 Survey of Economics (Honors section: 1015) - 3
- HUMA1010 Humanities: Art and Music (Honors section: 1015) - 3
- INFS1020 Fundamentals of Information Technology (Honors section: 1025) - 3 Minimum grade of “C” required
- STAT2110 – Statistics - 3
- PSYC1010 General Psychology - (Honors section: 1025) – 3
- SOCI1010; Principles of Sociology: or SOCI1020 - Contemporary Amer Social Problems (Honors section: 1025) – 3
- HIST History Elective Choose from: HIST1100 (Honors section: HIST1105), HIST1200;
- HIST1500; HIST1600; HIST1700; or HIST1800; or Political Science Elective POLS1020 - American National Government (Honors section: POLS1025) – 3
- ENGL Literature Elective; Choose from ENGL1040; ENGL1050; ENGL1060; ENGL2030; ENGL2040; ENGL2055 (Honors section HNRS2065 ); or ENGL2080 - 3
- Natural Science Elective Choose from BIOL1040, BIOL1050, BIOL1060, BIOL1250, BIOL1320, CHEM1220, ENVS1140, ENVS1160, ENVS1170, GEOL1090 (HNRS: GEOL1095), GEOL1100, GEOL1130, PHYS1060, or SCIE1020 - 3
- Career Preparation
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As a graduate of RMU’s Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences degree program, you will find viable employment in a variety of industries including aerospace, banking, computer systems design, finance, government, and insurance. You can secure jobs such as data analyst, systems analyst, telecommunications analyst, application developer, client/server operations analyst, consultant, programmer, and software engineer.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11 percent growth in U.S. employment for computer and information systems/technology experts from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average job growth in the United States.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
- ABET Accreditation Information
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The B.S. in Information Sciences Program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Program Educational Objectives
Five years after graduation, the graduates should:
- Contributing to the workforce in their specialty such as but not limited to software development, networking database administration or systems analysis.
- Advancing their careers via continuous learning and professional development through the attainment of professional certification, professional study and research or graduate education
- Assuming positions of leadership within their organization.
- Contributing to economic development and society through the development, maintenance and management of computer-based information systems for business, government, and other organizations.
Program Outcomes
At the time of graduation, Information Sciences graduates should be able to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Support the delivery, use, and management of information systems within an information systems environment.
Program Enrollment and Graduation Data
- 2020: 11 enrolled, 1 graduates
- 2019: 10 enrolled, 5 graduates
- 2018: 11 enrolled, 3 graduates
- 2017: 12 enrolled, 7 graduates
- 2016: 15 enrolled, 6 graduates
- Admissions Information
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- The minimum GPA is 2.75
- Applicants with a GPA of 2.50-2.74 are considered for admission on a case by case basis.
- Test-optional for 2021.
- Estimated Tuition
- View costs and tuition information
- Scholarships, Professional Opportunities & Student
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- National Science Foundation (NSF) Research and Scholarship Grant – CIS Cyber Scholars
- RMU Next Century Scholarships: The RMU Next Century Scholarships are aimed at students who wish to pursue careers in technology or math-related fields, including in cybersecurity. The scholarships are open to applicants from underrepresented groups and others who demonstrate a commitment to empowering members of underrepresented groups, combating stereotypes, and enabling others to better understand persons of different races, ethnicities, or other traits.
- RMU Analytics Club - Student Organization for data-related interests
- Seminars and Internships at The Washington Center
- Top Secret Colonials – Cybersecurity Student Organization
- Other Scholarships
- Our Graduates Work at
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Our graduates have successful career in positions at companies such as:
- Argo AI
- BNY Mellon
- Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (CMU SEI)
- Dollar Bank
- Highmark
- Huntington Bank
- IBM
- PNC Bank
- SAP Ariba
- Schneider Downs
- Meet the Faculty
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The School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences faculty is a team of dedicated teacher-scholars, award-winning artists, practitioners, and academics who are committed to your long-term success.
- Contact Us
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Peter Wu, Ph.D.
Department Head, Computer and Information Systems
Professor of Computer and Information Systems
Email: wu@rmu.edu
Phone: 412-397-6458
Wenli Wang, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer and Information Systems
Department of Computer and Information Systems
Email: Wangw@rmu.edu
Phone: 412-397-6473
Peter Draus, Ph.D.
University Professor of Computer and Information Systems
Department of Computer and Information Systems
Email: draus@rmu.edu
Phone: 412-397-6827
Sample Courses:
These are some of the classes for students in this academic program:
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School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences
Focus on delivering information in a way that makes an impact. Create images that capture attention, compose words that inspire, and design technology that changes how we live.
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