Drake College of Business and Public Administration

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A major in information systems (IS) prepares students to excell in business, industry and government technology careers. Graduates are able to provide technical leadership in the changing arena of information technology and recognize opportunities for businesses to apply that technology. IS graduates also understand the diversity of cultural, ethical and political values and the overall socio-economic context in which such technology is applied.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Science in information systems

PROGRAM SIZE
Approximately 110 students are enrolled in the major; class size ranges from 20 to 50 students.

FACULTY
Four faculty members, all with their doctorates, teach courses in the major. Their research interests include the design of user interfaces for e-commerce; use of technology in enhancing group idea generation and problem solving; e-commerce within the financial services industry; and management issues surrounding the introduction of technology.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
There are no prerequisite high school courses or requirements needed for enrollment in the program. However, high school courses in computer tools are recommended, as are 4 years of mathematics.

REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MAJOR
IS majors must take the 27-hour business core required of all business students. In addition, they must take 18 hours within the discipline including courses in 2 programming languages, systems analysis, database systems and data communications. They must also complete a track consisting of 9 credit hours, all from a single business discipline other than information systems. The student's adviser must approve the track selection. This track serves to emphasize that information systems are usually developed to service another business discipline. The track requirement can, and often does, lead to a double major, further enhancing a student's employment opportunities.

Suggested Course Sequence
First Year		Sophomore Year
IS 44	Information Systems Applications for Business	IS 105	Visual Basic
IS 50	COBOL Programming	CS 65	Introduction to Computer Science- Java

Junior Year		Senior Year
IS 101	Information Systems in Organizations	IS 160	Database Systems
IS 151	Information Systems Development	IS 172	Data Communications

REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES OUTSIDE MAJOR
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership. The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES/INTERNSHIPS
The IS program provides students with the opportunity to meet local, regional, and national information systems professionals. Drake's location in Des Moines, a capital city with many industries such as insurance and financial services - all heavy users of information technology - provides numerous opportunities for students to explore the field, including speakers in the classroom and field trips to local computer installations.

CAREER OPTIONS
IS major are most often employed as systems analysts or programmer/analysts. Many companies regularly recruit IS majors on campus. Drake graduates hold positions in such well-known companies as Arthur Andersen, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Principal Financial Group and State Farm Insurance.

ORGANIZATIONS
Professional organizations in the College of Business and Public Administration include Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi, national professional business fraternities; Gamma Iota Sigma, a professional organization; and Beta Gamma Sigma, a national professional business society. Students also may become involved in the Student Information Systems organization.

NOTED ALUMNI

Sheri Morrow, BN'82, VP, CIO, John Deere Credit, Johnston, IA
Bill Watson, BN'79, representative, Prudential Foundation, Des Moines, IA