MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
& TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Submitted by the College of Business &
Economics
I: DESCRIPTION
This document proposes the creation of a new graduate degree, the Master of Science in Information Systems & Technology Management (M.S. in IS&TM), which will be granted by the College of Business and Economics. The degree program will require students to complete a rigorous 36-credit program that incorporates traditional business disciplines with cutting-edge information technology (IT) knowledge.
Today, successful organizations use information technology (IT) to produce a sustainable competitive advantage. This requires effectively blending the very technical aspects of information technology with the business processes of the organization. During six Industry Feedback Forums[1] conducted during June, July and August 2001, it became very apparent that individuals who can do this are in high demand because a communication gap exists between people who work in the very technical functions and people who work in the business processes, i.e., the two groups cannot communicate in an effective way. Therefore, the purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems & Technology Management is to provide its students with a solid understanding of both IT and business management so that they can bridge this gap in the organizations in which they work. The formal purpose of the program can be stated as follows:
To produce students who possess the combination of management and technical skills needed to bring about the effective deployment and administration of information technology to achieve business success in today’s highly competitive global environment.
II: RATIONALE
AND DEMAND
A.
Institutional Factors
1. Mission Compatibility
In 1998, the Information Technology Initiative[2] included the following recommendation:
“Working closely with business and industry, post-secondary institutions should develop business-relevant IT curriculums to meet the IT needs of Delaware business. … The University of Delaware should set the pace and be an example to other higher education institutions in Delaware.”
In 1999, the College of Business and Economics in its Vision 2000 document stated:
“…the College of Business and Economics will develop the programs necessary to become a leader in the integration of information technology into management practice.”[3]
The M.S. in IS&TM is completely compatible with both of these recommendations.
The Mission Statement of the University of Delaware includes the following:
“The central mission of the University of Delaware is to cultivate both learning and the free exchange of ideas. … Our graduates should know how to reason critically and independently yet collaborate productively. They should understand the cultural and physical world, communicate clearly in writing and speech, and develop into informed citizens and leaders. …”[4]
As this document will show, the proposed M.S. in IS&TM is completely compatible with this mission. Further, it is very consistent with the University of Delaware’s objective to be a leader in IT education and implementation.
2. Planning Process
The Information Technology Initiative[5] (IT Initiative) documented the challenge the state of Delaware faces in meeting the demand by business for individuals with IT skills. Knowing that a number of outstanding educational institutions (e.g., Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Case Western Reserve University) have created graduate programs to meet the need for more graduates who can effectively manage in an IT environment, a subcommittee of the Information Systems and Management committee was created to assess the feasibility and need for such a program at the University of Delaware. The subcommittee consisted of five faculty members from the College of Business and Economics and one from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Based on the results of the six Industry Feedback Forums conducted during June, July and August, 2001[6], as well as individual industry contacts, it was determined that a significant demand exists in the state of Delaware and the region for the type of individual who would graduate from an M.S. program in IT. The subcommittee based the design of the M.S. in IS&TM on the feedback received during the Industry Feedback Forums, an extensive review of programs at other institutions[7] and faculty contacts. The full Information Systems and Management Committee accepted the proposal on August 31, 2001.
3. Impact on Other Programs & Utilization of Existing Resources
The M.S. in IS&TM will not have any direct impact on programs outside of the College of Business and Economics. Within the College, it will enhance the MBA program by providing elective classes for students who are pursuing a concentration in IT. Also, the High Tech Seminar will provide a strong speaker series to compliment the Tyler Lecture Series currently offered.
The proposed program leverages the technological strength and leadership of both the College of Business and Economics and the University of Delaware. It utilizes the existing resources of a strong business program, unsurpassed technological expertise, outstanding faculty, and premiere computing facilities.
B. Student Demand
1.
Enrollment Projections
Based on feedback from the Industry Feedback Forums, inquiries of prospective students, a recent survey of alumni of the College’s Minor in MIS program, and the success of similar programs at other institutions, it is anticipated that the program will be very popular. The initial plan is to implement the program on a part-time basis, limiting enrollment to 10 – 15 students (because of resource constraints discussed later). When fully implemented, it is anticipated that 30 – 35 students will be admitted to the part-time program each year, with a full-time program being added as demand warrants. Therefore, allowing for normal attrition (e.g., job transfers and changes in time demands of work), when fully implemented it is reasonable to expect approximately 30 students to graduate from the part-time program each year. As Appendix D shows, a part-time student will be able to complete the program in two calendar years. A student will take six credits during the initial summer, six credits each fall and spring semester, three credits during the first winter term, and three credits during the second summer.
2.
Specific Student Clienteles
It is likely that a significant number of those attracted to the part-time program will be seeking to move from their current position into IT (within their current organization), i.e., they will be seeking to enhance their value to their organization. Some of the students attracted to the M.S. in IS&TM will be new students to the University, while others will be returning to pursue graduate study. A smaller number of students will have just completed an undergraduate degree at the University. In the Feedback Forums (see Appendix A), 97% of the attendees indicated their firm was either likely or highly likely to support their employees in pursuing the M.S. in IS&TM. A recent survey of alumni of the College’s Minor in MIS program found that 86% felt the M.S. in IS&TM would be a valuable addition to the University’s offerings, and 33% felt it was a fairly good possibility to a certainty that they would return to pursue this degree. Demand for the courses offered will also come from other programs. As mentioned above, it is anticipated that courses in the program will serve as electives in the MBA program.
C.
Transferability
As indicated later, there are no similar programs in the state of Delaware. Therefore, transferability is not an issue.
D.
Graduate & Professional Access
Not applicable.
E. Demand and Employment Factors
Since a cornerstone of the Governor’s agenda is to maintain quality jobs for Delawareans, the Strategic Economic Council is identifying areas that will support tomorrow’s workforce. Rapidly changing technology makes definitive projections of specific markets almost impossible. However, information technology is guaranteed to grow through the next decade. In Delaware, more than 4,000 well-paying IT jobs have been created since 1993.
Businesses in Delaware and the greater Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area are concerned about the lack of personnel with both business and information technology expertise. This was evidenced by comments from participants in the six Industry Feedback Forums held during formulation of the proposed new program (see Appendix A) and by the work of the Greater Philadelphia First taskforce and the Delaware IT Initiative.
Graduates of the proposed M.S. in IS&TM will possess the skills business is looking for. This was evidenced in the Feedback Forums (see Appendix A) where 97% of the attendees indicated their firm was either likely to hire or would hire graduates of the proposed program. These skills include: an understanding of both business (its languages and processes) and IT; the ability to leverage information technology to enhance productivity and potentially profitability; and the strategic thinking and communication skills needed to work with management to make it happen. Graduates will be prepared to work in IT groups and business groups in a variety of organizations such as the financial services industry, manufacturing firms, non-profit organizations, and consulting firms. Specific responsibilities will include project leadership, liaison between IT and business functions, requirements verification, project costing, and strategic planning.
F.
Regional, State,
and National Factors
1. Advantages Over Regional Programs
To our knowledge, there are not any similar programs offered in the state of Delaware. On a more regional basis, Widener University offers the Master of Science in Management & Technology. Although located in the School of Business Administration, the program is geared to professionals in the fields of engineering and basic and applied sciences, while the proposed program is much more business-oriented. The University of Pennsylvania offers an Executive Master’s in Technology Management, which is again oriented towards engineers with experience. Temple University offers an MS in MIS, which does not appear to offer the breadth of business management that the proposed MS in IS&TM does.[8] The University of Maryland offers an MS in Information Systems but requires up to seven prerequisite classes for those with no business background.
2. Accreditation
As an MS program within a College of Business and Economics, the program will need to be accredited by the International Association for Management Education (formerly the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)). The College of Business and Economics already has this accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as does the Department of Accounting. In April, 2001, this accreditation was reaffirmed for ten years. The M.S. in IS&TM has been designed to meet the accreditation standards.
G. Other Strengths/Collaborative Arrangements
Significant strengths/highlights of the proposed program include the following:
· It is an interdisciplinary program jointly developed by the College of Business and Economics (CBE) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE);
· The program design is based on feedback from focus forums, and benchmarking with leading programs around the country;
· The program builds on a solid understanding of business, business processes, and programming;
· The program provides a solid understanding of both the technical side of IT and the business side of IT;
· Two required courses (Telecommunications and Networks I and II) will be designed and taught by ECE. Another course (Security and Control) will be jointly developed and taught by ECE and CBE faculty;
· The program is designed to attract students who have a technical background (e.g., engineering, the sciences) and students with a business background, resulting in a richer academic experience;
· The High Tech Seminar will bring experts to campus;
· The part-time program can be completed in two calendar years (see Appendix D) and the full-time program can be completed in one calendar year (see Appendix D); and
· Communications skills are stressed throughout the program by means of in-class presentations, group work, etc.
III: ENROLLMENT, ADMISSIONS and FINANCIAL AID
A. Enrollment Limitations
Initially, enrollment will be limited to 10 – 15 students on a part-time basis, increasing to 30 – 35 students as resources permit.
B.
Admissions
Requirements
The goal of the M.S. in IS&TM is to attract the highest caliber of student possible. When one considers a technical field such as IT, an aptitude for and a willingness to learn IT becomes very important. Other factors such as work history/success may also be indicators of academic success in the IT field. Therefore, it is very important to maintain an attitude of reasonable flexibility when making the admissions decision.
Test Scores
With the exception of the TOEFL (which is a University-wide constraint), the following should be considered as preferred minimum levels for admission:
|
GMAT: |
550 |
|
|
|
GRE: |
Math |
Analytical |
600 |
|
GRE: |
Math |
Quantitative |
600 |
|
GRE: |
Verbal |
500 |
|
|
TOEFL/CTOEFL |
587/240 |
|
|
Undergraduate GPA
An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 is expected.
Work
Experience
Work experience provides a context for graduate study. Therefore, it is strongly recommended, but not required, that incoming students have one or more years of meaningful work experience. As indicated above, for those with meaningful work experience, this experience should be weighed in the admission decision.
Prior Degree Requirements
Applicants for the M.S. in IS&TM must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. While the program is designed for those with a background in either business or a technical area, persons with a degree in any field who possess an aptitude and desire to pursue graduate study in IT are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadlines
Because of course sequencing, admission will be once per year. Students will begin the Foundation courses in August, with the Fundamental Core beginning in the fall semester. Therefore, all application material should be received no later than May 1st of the year coursework is to begin. Admission material received after this date will only be processed on a space available basis.
Admission Categories
Conditional admission for one academic semester will be allowed in the following cases:
1. The applicant has not taken the GMAT/GRE but has met all other admission requirements. An acceptable test score will be required before the applicant is allowed to register for additional coursework; and
2. The applicant has furnished all of the admission material but his/her performance in one of the areas is judged to be of such a nature that unconditional admission is not warranted but rejection is not appropriate. For example, an individual who graduated a number of years ago with a low undergraduate GPA but who has meaningful and successful work experience and acceptable test scores. Such an individual would be granted conditional admission for one semester with continued registration conditional on satisfactory performance during that semester.
Other Documents Required
Each applicant will provide three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess his/her potential for succeeding in the program.
Admission Decision
Admission will be decided by the director of the program, in consultation with an admissions committee (composed of faculty who participate in the program) when appropriate.
University Statement
The following statement will apply to admissions and will be included in all materials relating to admissions:
“Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of the requirements necessarily precluded from admission if the offer other appropriate strengths.”
C. Student Expenses & Financial Aid
Since the program will initially be part-time, it is anticipated that students will be responsible for their own financial support, either through employer reimbursement programs or from their own resources. Students will be expected to have access to a laptop computer.
IV: CURRICULUM SPECIFIC
A.
Degree Awarded
A Master of Science in Information Systems & Technology Management is the degree to be awarded to students who successfully complete the curriculum. The College of Business & Economics currently offers an Master of Science in Accounting & MIS and an Master of Science in Economics. However, the Master of Science in Information Systems & Technology Management will be a new degree.
B. Curriculum
1. Requirements
The M.S. in IS&TM is a unique 36-credit interdisciplinary program which was jointly developed by the College of Business and Economics and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.[9] It will provide students with a solid understanding of both IT and the management processes needed to effectively manage in this environment. Because of the combination, the M.S. in IS&TM is primarily designed for two types of students – those with a background in business (who want to move into a more technology-oriented role in their organization) and those with a background in a technical field (who want to move into an IT/management role in their organization). Examples of the type of students with technical background we hope to attract include engineers, scientists, and those involved in biotechnology.
2. Sample
Curriculum
The program can be thought of as a series
of five building blocks, each of which builds on what has come before. The foundation of the program is an understanding
of the fundamentals of business and programming. Students then complete a fundamental core of four courses, which
cover the core concepts of IT. These
core courses serve as the basis for the Advanced Core of four courses, which
build on the material from the fundamental core. An elective allows the student to tailor the program to an area
of interest or gain practical experience in IT. Finally, there is a capstone set of courses, which draw from the
material throughout the program. Each
of these blocks will be considered in more detail below. An outline of the proposed program
(including proposed course numbers and an indication of whether each course
currently exists or will be a new course) appears in Appendix B. Descriptions of the contents of each course
appear in Appendix C. Communication
skills are stressed throughout the program through presentations, written
reports, group work, etc.
Foundation
It is very important that our students understand business and the processes that comprise it. Therefore, all students, regardless of academic and work experience, will be required to complete the following two business foundation courses:
· Accounting for an IT Environment (2 credits)
· Business Processes and Operations Management (2 credits)
In addition, all students will be expected to understand an object-oriented programming language.
Each student will meet with a faculty advisor who will evaluate their background in both business and programming (including prior coursework and experience). Based on this evaluation, each student will take at least one of the following courses:
·
Finance
(2 credits)
·
Marketing
(2 credits)
· Management (2 credits)
·
Programming I –
Object-oriented
(2 credits)
Fundamental
Core
The following courses which build on the business fundamentals and programming, are considered to be IT building blocks:
· Data Management (3 credits)
· Systems Analysis and Implementation (3 credits)
· Telecommunications and Networks I (3 credits)
· Decision Support and Analysis (3 credits)
Advanced Core
The following courses build on the material presented in the fundamental core:
· Telecommunications and Networks II (3 credits)
· Managing in an IT Environment (3 credits)
· Project Management and Costing (3 credits)
· Security and Control (3 credits)
While all courses in the program have a business-orientation, there are several things that should be noted about the advanced core:
o Two of the four courses are clearly management-oriented and will be taught by the College of Business and Economics;
o Project Management and Costing will include a strong module on the costing of IT projects;
o A strong technical component is represented by Telecommunications and Networking I and II, both of which will be developed and taught by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and
o Security and Control will be co-developed and co-taught by faculty from the College of Business and Economics and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Elective
Upon entering the program, students will meet with a faculty advisor who will assess their IT experience. Those students with insufficient experience in IT will take either a three-credit Consulting Project or High Tech Entrepreneurship as their elective. Students with sufficient IT experience will be able to choose one elective course. Appendix B includes a list of appropriate courses. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the faculty advisor.
Capstone
Strategic IT Management draws on the material previously covered in the program to provide the student with an understanding of the importance of IT in the strategic management processes of the organization. The High Tech Seminar will bring to campus a series of speakers who will broaden the student’s understanding of the modern IT world. [Note: The two capstone courses may be combined into one three-credit course for administrative reasons.]
Program Length
The program will be 36 credits, including the required six-credits of Foundation courses. Students will meet with a faculty advisor who will assess their background. Those who do not have a business background may be asked to take additional Foundation courses, resulting in a maximum program of 42 credits.
Course Substitution
Course substitutions will not be allowed except in the choice of elective.
Full-time and Part-time Programs
Because of the University’s unique location in the heart of a large corporate environment, it is anticipated that the M.S. in IS&TM will begin as a part-time, evening program. Ideally, a full-time day program would be added at such time as enrollment warrants.
Size of the Program
The initial goal is to enroll 10-15 students in the part-time program, growing to 30-35 students. If a full-time program is added, enrollment is targeted at 20-25 students.
Grade Requirements
An overall GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation from the program. Students will be allowed one grade of “C” in courses counted towards the degree.
Comprehensive Exam and Thesis
The program will not require a comprehensive examination, thesis, or dissertation.
Timetable
It is expected that part-time students will usually take 6 credit hours during regular academic semesters (although fewer will be allowed with the permission of the program director). The first column of Appendix D shows how a part-time student can complete the program within two calendar years. It is expected that full-time students will carry a course load of 12 credit hours during regular academic semesters. The second column of Appendix D shows how a full-time student can complete the program within one calendar year. Pursuant to University requirements, all students will be required to complete the entire program within 5 calendar years of date of entry.
Satisfactory Progress
Each year the director of the program will review each student’s academic progress. Students are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in the program and make satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. Any student whose GPA in the program has dropped below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If the student does not raise the overall graduate GPA to at least a 3.0 during their next academic semester, they will be terminated from the program. Students may appeal this termination through regular University grievance channels. Any full-time student who does not satisfactorily complete 24 credit hours during the academic year will be reclassified as part-time. Part-time students are expected to complete a minimum of 6 credits during each academic year in order to maintain their part-time classification.
Filing Requirements
All students are responsible for filing the appropriate graduation forms with the University of Delaware’s Graduate Office.
3. Approval
from Affected Departments
This degree is proposed in collaboration with the Department of Electrical & Computer & Engineering. Appendix G contains a letter of support from that department.
4. University/College/Department
Requirements
The proposed curriculum satisfies all of the University's academic requirements as well as the requirements of the Colleges of Business & Economics.
V: RESOURCES AVAILABLE
A.
Learning Resources
The primary Learning Resource required for this proposed program is an educational computer lab with appropriate software where several of the courses can be taught. The College of Business and Economics currently has two of these labs. Since the part-time nature of the program will necessitate late-afternoon and evening classes, these labs should suffice.
The proposed program will not require any additional library resources. The academic resources (i.e., journals, books, etc.) are already available. Students will not require any networked or electronic journal access beyond that of a normal graduate student in the College of Business and Economics nor will they need to make any additional use of library computer resources.
B. Faculty/Administrative Resources
The faculty of the College of Business & Economics and the faculty of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering will oversee and teach the requisite courses. (Appendix F contains a list of faculty expertise in the area.) The College of Business & Economics is currently recruiting a faculty member in the information systems area as well as several in other areas who have an IT interest. The program will be administered through the Department of Accounting & MIS in the College of Business & Economics. The Department has existing resources in place to accommodate admissions functions for the M.S. in Accounting and can absorb the additional administrative tasks of this program.
C. External Funding
The resources needed to develop the program have been secured through a Unidel Foundation grant. Course coverage for a program admitting 30 part-time students per year can be accommodated by existing faculty resources.
VI: RESOURCES REQUIRED
A. Learning Resources
As indicated above, software will be required in one of the College’s teaching labs to support students in several courses. Specifically, half of the machines will need an instructional engineering software package to support the Telecommunications and Networks I and II courses.
B. Personnel Resources
The Dean of the College of Business and Economics has studied the resource requirements for a quality program of 25 part-time students and has determined that it can be offered utilizing existing resources. To increase enrollments to an additional 30 – 35 full-time students per year, three new tenure-track faculty positions will be required in the College of Business and Economics (with IT/MIS backgrounds) and one will be required in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (with a telecommunications/networking background). In addition, an existing faculty member will be needed part-time to administer the program. The Dean is working to develop or allocate resources to accommodate future expansion as needed.
C. Budgetary Needs
Due to the initial size of the program indicated above, no additional budgetary resources are required at this time.
VII: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
A.
Implementation Plan
The plan is to initially admit 10 –15 students for the Fall of 2002. (Initial coursework at the Foundation level will take place in August of 2002.) The curriculum will be implemented as the students progress through the program
B. Evaluation Plan
A faculty director will oversee the quality of the program. Indications of success will include the level of student and employer interest (number of applications and degree of employer sponsorship), the quality of students accepted (undergraduate GPA, GMAT score, and level of current position in their organization), and feedback from both students and employers.
APPENDIX A
Summary of the Graduate Feedback Forums
Between June 27 and August 7, 2001, six (6) Industry Feedback Forums were held in Wilmington, Newark, Philadelphia, and New York. More than 70 individuals represented over 30 firms. Our target audience was professionals who hire and promote MIS and IT (information technology) professionals in their organizations. Each session lasted more than 90 minutes and five (5) of the sessions were working lunches. The purpose of the sessions was (1) to solicit those factors the participants felt were important for our graduates to possess and (2) to assess interest in the proposed program by soliciting information as to how likely the participant’s would be to either hire a graduate of the M.S. program or to send current employees to the program. The following first considers interest in the proposed program and then summarizes those factors, which were considered important.
INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM
At the end of the session, each participant was asked the following two questions:
Likelihood that you would hire an M.S. in
Information Systems & Technology Management graduate.
Responses:
Highly likely to employ this type of graduate 28.1%
Likely to employ this type of graduate 68.8%
Unlikely to employ this type of graduate 3.1%
Not at all likely to employ this type of graduate 0.0%
Likelihood that you would send your current
employees to the University of Delaware to receive an M.S. in Information
Systems & Technology Management.
Responses:
Highly likely that my firm would support our employees in
pursuing the M.S. in IS&TM 38.7%
Likely that my firm would support our employees in pursuing the
M.S. in IS&TM 58.1%
Unlikely that my firm would support our employees in pursuing
the M.S. in IS&TM 3.2%
Not at all likely that my firm would support our employees in
pursuing the M.S. in IS&TM 0.0%
Therefore, approximately 97% of the participants indicated they would be either likely or highly likely to hire an M.S. in IS&TM graduate. Further, approximately 97% of the participants indicated they would be likely or highly likely to support their employees in pursuing the M.S. in IS&TM (most likely on a part-time basis).
CRITICAL FACTORS FOR OUR GRADUATES TO POSSESS
GENERAL COMMENTS / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
· Strong demand for a person who can “bridge the gap” between the technical person with no understanding of business and the business person with no understanding of technology
· Needs to thoroughly understand business processes so knows what the system is supposed to accomplish and can clearly specify requirements
GENERAL COMMENTS / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (continued)
· Needs to understand technology so can apply appropriate technological solution to business problem
· Needs to be able to manage a project in an IT environment
· Needs to understand structured programming so can interact with programmers but does not need to program
· Strong demand for management of IT skills including vendor management, negotiation, change management, etc.
· Strong demand for individuals who can do a cost analysis on proposed/existing systems using NPV, etc.
o It was suggested that this may be one way for UD to differentiate its program
- Communication skills are extremely important
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL SKILLS
Hardware:
· Server – Desktop system integrating
· Networks
· WAN and LAN skills
· Understand middleware
· Server – Desktop system integrating
· Deal with mainframe applications
Programming:
· Understand structured programming language (C++, Java)
o Need to understand application/limitations so can communicate with programmers
o Ability to learn
o One group had no particular preference (e.g., Java, HTML); another preferred JAVA
· Suggested that programming language should be a prerequisite for M.S.
o Understand SQL/database level
o Optimization, ER diagrams, etc.
o Performance implications
Systems Analysis and Design:
· Systems Development Lifecycle
o Design, development, deployment, evaluation, etc.
o Test plans, deliverables
o Control of cycle
· Analytical skills
· Structured methodology for systems analysis
· Requirements management
· Ability to describe business process and translate to system development
· Business Process Engineering – organization analysis, systems design
· Quality Assurance
· Troubleshooting and providing corrective action
· Ability to identify appropriate technique to solve problem
TECHNICAL
KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL SKILLS (continued)
e-Business/e-Commerce:
· Programming fundamentals
· Different models of e-business/e-commerce infrastructure
· Security
· Server requirements
Other Skills:
· “Office” program skills
· Quantitative skills (e.g., statistics)
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE/BUSINESS SKILLS
Management of IT/Management:
· Leadership skills -- Managing people
· Vendor management / Outsourced supply
·
Evaluative
o Ability to compare
· Change management skills
o Implementation process
o Organization understanding
o Organizational psychology
· Contract management/negotiation
o Business law for IT management – elements of 3rd party negotiations (i.e., with consultants, etc.)
§ Specifically contracting issues
§ Focus on IT issues
· Risk analysis
· Security – system level risk management
· IT economics
o Cost/benefit analysis of IT
o Utility, etc.
o Business budget fit
o Life cycle cost
o Cost management
o Financial accounting
· Audit/Evaluation skills
· Entrepreneurial skills
o Understand strategy
o Moving idea to action
· Strategic thinking -- Larger context-orientation
· IT enabler – Business solutions provider
· Understanding emerging trends and their application
· Knowledge management
· Data warehousing and data mining
· Understanding of TQM
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE/BUSINESS SKILLS
(continued)
Business Processes:
· Business fundamentals/domain information
o Supply chain
o Marketing
o Finance
o Strategic planning
· Clear business orientation
· Understanding business processes and application architecture
o Analytics, org development
o Business problem solving
· Clear understanding of balance between IT and business
o Are businesses needs being met?
· Process Engineering
Project Management:
· Project management
o Budgeting
o Business sense
o Communication skills
o Integration with diverse techniques
o IT specific
Experience:
· Work experience
· “Project” work
PERSONAL SKILLS
Communication
skills:
· Special issues for internet (e-mail)
· Interpersonal
· Team building
· Facilitation skills
· Presentation
· Written skills
· Listening
Relationship
skills:
Expect
“additional polish” from graduate students:
Cross-cultural
skills:
Non-technical
writing skills:
Selling
skills – ability to sell ideas, etc.:
Clearly
identified functional skills:
· Example: e-Learning
Ability
to learn and adapt:
Ethics:
OTHER
Overview
and history of IT:
· Particularly recent developments
Clear
orientation for specific industries:
· Ex.: Financial services; chemical industry
· Maybe through projects/internships
Capitalize
on accountancy resources:
Differentiate
the product:
APPENDIX
B
M.S. in Information Systems
& Technology Management
Curriculum Overview
Foundation (a minimum of 6 credits) 6 credits
Offered as BUEC 865: Seminar in . . . [See
Notes 1-5]
All students will take:
- Accounting for an IT Environment (2 cr.; new)
- Business Processes and Operations Management (2 cr.; new)
A faculty advisor will evaluate the background of each student. Each
student will take at least one of the following:
-
Finance (2
cr.; new)
-
Marketing (2
cr.; new)
-
Management (2
cr.; new)
-
Programming I –
Object-oriented
(2 cr.; new)
(Taught
by Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE))
Fundamental Core (required) 12 credits
ACCT 804: Data Management (3 cr.; exists)
ACCT 803: Systems Analysis and Implementation (3 cr.; exists)
BUEC 810: Telecommunications and Networks I (3 cr.; new)
(Course to be taught by ECE and
cross-listed as CPEG 810)
BUEC 830: Decision Support and Analysis (3 cr.; new)
Advanced Core (required) 12 credits
BUEC 811: Telecommunications and Networks II (3 cr.; new)
(Course to be taught by ECE and
cross-listed as CPEG 811)
BUAD 873: Managing in an IT Environment (3 cr.; exists)
BUEC 840: Project Management and Costing (3 cr.; new)
BUEC 850: Security and Control (3 cr.; new)
(Course to be co-developed and taught with
ECE)
Electives[10] 3 credits
BUEC 860: High Tech Entrepreneurship (3 cr.; exists)
(Currently offered as BUAD
867;
co-taught with ECE)
BUAD 884: E-Commerce (3 cr.; exists)
ACCT 805: Current Issues In MIS (3 cr.; exists)
BUAD 871: Managing for Creativity and Innovation (3 cr.; exists)
BUAD 899: Consulting Project (1–3 cr.; new)
Special Topics (1–3 cr.; new)
Capstone (required) 3 credits
BUEC 870: Strategic IT Management (2 cr.; new)
BUEC 871: High Tech Seminar (1 cr.; new)
36
credits
Communication skills are stressed throughout the program through
presentations, written reports, group work, etc.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1: BUEC is a course rubric administered by the Dean’s Office and denoting inter-departmental course offerings in the information systems area. This rubric is currently used to denote courses in the College’s MIS minor.
Note 2: The Graduate Office has recommended the use of BUEC 865: Seminar in … as a way to handle multiple courses of this type. For example, there would be BUEC 865: Seminar in Accounting for an IT Environment; BUEC 865: Seminar in Business Processes and Operations Management; and BUEC 865: Seminar in Finance. The MBA program is proposing to handle a number of courses in this manner and it is a commonly used practice in the College of Engineering.
Note 3: The Foundation courses would be taken during the summer preceding the student beginning the Fundamental Core. The intent is that each course would extract those aspects of the subject-area that students in the M.S. need, given the IT-orientation of the program. This allows them to be taught as 2 cr. courses.
Note 4: ECE refers to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Note 5: A student who is required to take all six of the Foundation courses would have a program of 42 credits.