COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Master's in Information Systems program design is based on a competency model. The student progresses through several tiers of courses acquiring more complex skills and knowledge. The following outlines the various course tiers.

Fundamentals Course:
(May be waived based on experience and is determined during the admissions review process)

These courses are required modules for students starting the program in Spring 2009 or later.

• IS 607 Introduction to Information Systems (4 credits)

Core Courses:
(All four are required of all students)

• IS 631 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
• IS 632 Networks (3 credits)
• IS 633 Database Management Systems (3 credits)
• IS 634 Structured Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)

Advanced Courses:
(All students must complete a total of six advanced courses)

• IS 667 Interaction Design (3 credits)
• IS 668 Enterprise-Wide Computing (3 credits)
• IS 669 Project Management Operations (3 credits)
• IS 670 Health Informatics (3 credits)
• IS 671 Electronic Commerce (3 credits)
• IS 672 Computer and Network Security (3 credits)
• IS 699 Capstone Project (3 credits)

Special Topics Courses:

Periodically, our faculty offer courses that cover topics addressing specific issues within information systems. These “special topics” courses offer our online master’s students a unique opportunity to delve into subject matter that is closely relevant to particular areas  of interest within the IT professional community and is derived from research conducted by faculty here in the IS department of UMBC.

Special topics courses, when offered, meet advanced course requirements and count toward your degree. These courses are subject to limited enrollment and prerequisite requirements.

The following courses have been offered in the past:

• Information Architecture for the Web (3 credits)
• Readings in Human-Centered Computing (3 credits)
• Service-Oriented Architecture (3 credits)
• Introduction to Data Mining (3 credits)