Computer Information Systems

Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 Ext. 3465 or Augusta - (207) 621-3465 & Bangor (207) 262-7800 Opt. 3
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinator: Diana Kokoska
UMA CIS Website: www.uma.edu/academics/programs/cis/
Program Website: http://cis.uma.edu/

Intro/Overview

The UMA Computer Information Systems (CIS) program offers three academic degree options: associate, bachelor, and post-baccalaureate. The core curriculum, based on the national contemporary information systems curriculum (IS2002/IS2010), provides a unique blend of computer science and mathematics, standalone and Web applications development, information technology infrastructure, information systems security, and a solid systems analysis and design foundation that prepares students for high-tech careers as programmer/analysts, network and security administrators, information system developers, and information technology managers. In the business-related classes that are part of the core, students develop the organizational and supervisory skills to obtain positions in the management information systems field and to become technology managers.

These applied computing degrees will help to satisfy the growing need for information systems technology education in Maine and address a projected gap in the number of IT graduates and the number of professional positions that are predicted in the Maine IT field by the end of the decade.

Career Opportunities

Computer-related jobs have been identified by the US Department of Labor Statistics as the fastest-growing occupations. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t06.htm

The CIS program works very closely with Project>Login, a statewide campaign that was designed to provide resources for aspiring computing and IT professionals (Project<Login). According to the Program Director the goal of Project>Login is “to highlight IT careers in Maine, provide a clearing house of paid internships that provide real-world experience, and to manage an online collaboratory to connect students with future supervisors and colleagues.” (Project<Login) An annual networking reception hosted by Project>Login at the UMA campus brings potential employers and prospective students together for an information exchange.

The foundation acquired in the CIS program prepares a student to launch a career in information technology or to pursue a more advanced study in CIS or a related field. A wide variety of career options exists for the Computer Information Systems professional:

Network Systems

Administrator
Network Manager

Programming & Software Development

Programmer
Program Analyst
Project Manager
Web Designer

Systems Security

Information Security Analyst
Security AdministratorInteractive Media

Interactive Media

Web Developer
GIS/Computer Mapper

Information Support & Services

Database Manager
Data Communications Analyst
Systems Analyst
Database Administrator

Related website(s):

Information Technology Association of America: http://www.itaa.org/
Project Login: http://www.projectlogin.com/

Program Delivery

Along with its face-to-face classes, the CIS program offers all of its program requirements through a wide selection of distance education options including online, video-conferencing, Interactive Television (ITV) and delayed viewing. Engaging in this multimedia classroom prepares students with critical thinking, team building, and technology skills as well as practical experiences to become successful career professionals.

Program Personnel

The Computer Information Systems program is staffed with a department dean, dedicated faculty with academic credentials and technology experience, and skilled administrative support personnel on each of its campuses, sites, and centers. In addition to its full-time faculty members, the CIS program boasts an impressive complement of adjunct instructors who are working professionals in the area in which they teach and bring to the classes an unparalleled industry perspective. The CIS faculty also serve as academic advisors, helping students select classes that meet their career goals.

Internship Experience

The Internship Experience is an elective three-credit information technology (IT) offering at the associate-degree level and a required offering at the bachelor-degree level that provides the student with an opportunity to build a professional portfolio of relevant work experience and essential workplace skills. With the guidance of an organizational mentor, students develop a significant IT project that applies applicable information technology skills in a selected area of IT.

Program Advisory Board

The Program Advisory Board is comprised of technology professionals, current faculty, and successful alumni who provide direction and support to the CIS program. The Board is an invaluable resource for reviewing the curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of the business community, serving as organizational mentors for internship experiences, coordinating networking opportunities for students, sharing technology expertise with faculty and students, and identifying current employment opportunities for our CIS graduates.

CIS Program Minors

In addition to the three degree options, students in other academic disciplines may complement their program major with contemporary computer technology skills by selecting a minor in Computer Information Systems, Computer Networking, Information Systems Security, or Web Design and Development. These minors provide theory and applied computer skills required by non-CIS professionals who wish to add IT competency to the knowledge base acquired in their major field of study and gain a competitive edge in the job search market.

CIS Program Certificates

The CIS program offers three certificates options: Health Informatics, Web Design and Development, and Information Systems Security. Our certificates provide specialized training in a specific IT area and are the ideal option for non-computing professionals who need to leverage IT technologies to enhance professional skill sets or for individuals who wish to pursue an entry-level position in the certificate area.

CIS Program Objectives

IS (Information Systems) professionals must have

a broad business and real-world perspective
strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills
interpersonal communication and team skills and strong ethical principles
the ability to design and implement information technology solutions that enhance organizational performance

CIS Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems will be prepared for careers as programmer/analysts, network administrators, information system developers, and information technology managers. Graduates will have the following IS skills and related knowledge:

individual and team/interpersonal skills
- personal and interpersonal communication
- legal and ethical aspects of information systems
systems analysis and design
- approaches to systems development
- information and business systems analysis
- systems development tools and techniques
software/web development
- advanced programming languages
- systems implementation
- computer technology and science
business fundamentals
- organizational theory
- accounting principles
database
- database theory and practice
project management
- project management theory and practice
systems integration
- IS management
- telecommunications and networks
mathematics
- analytical and critical thinking
- problem solving/algorithms/proofs
security
- information systems security

Degree Options

Associate of Science Degree

The associate degree program is accessible to both full and part-time students, offering skills development for those presently employed in the field and those seeking to enter the field for the first time.

The curriculum provides courses in hardware, operating systems, networking, programming applications development, web application design, information systems, and security.

Degree graduates will be equipped to become entry-level programmers, network administrators, or Web application specialists.

Students completing the associate of science degree will be prepared to transfer to a baccalaureate program in business administration or computer information systems and may transfer some courses toward a baccalaureate in computer science.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The bachelor degree program is an applied computing degree that provides theory and hands-on skills development for students seeking a professional career in the IT field. A flexible schedule and innovative delivery options accommodate the full-time student as well as those who take classes part time.

In addition to a consistent core among the associate, bachelor, and post-baccalaureate degrees, students in the bachelor’s program may concentrate in a specific technology area, such as programming, database, networking, information systems security, or Web design and development or select from over twenty technology electives in the “no concentration” option.

Post-Baccalaureate of Science Degree

The post baccalaureate in Computer Information Systems is a bachelor’s degree available to students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in another academic field from an accredited institution. With an additional 45 credits of CIS program requirements, students who originally prepared in another discipline and are seeking credentials to support a career in information science (IS) and/or technology (IT) can earn a second bachelor’s degree. Up to 5 classes (15 credits) from a previous degree may be applied to meet the requirements of the Post-Baccalaureate. Thirty (30) credits must be taken at UMA. This is an ideal option for those students who want to make a career change or want to learn contemporary computing skills to meet the changing IT demands of their current position.

Programs

Associate of Science

Computer Information Systems, AS

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Certificate