B.S. in Information Systems & Business Processes

The Information Systems & Business Processes (ISBP) major provides students with the knowledge and skills to integrate information technologies into the business environment. This includes an understanding of current trends in information technology as well as an ability to work with people. Together, these proficiencies provide the ability to optimize business processes and solve business problems with the power of technology. Clarkson is at the forefront of utilizing and developing information systems. Required courses in the ISBP major impart fundamental concepts like business process analysis, enterprise resource planning fundamentals, e-Business tools and models, project management, and information systems analysis and design. Students can then tailor their study plan to their career interests by choosing their professional elective courses and projects in areas such as supply chain systems modeling, enterprise resource planning, or accounting information systems.

Students graduating with the ISBP major will have the following knowledge and skills:

1. An understanding of the components of an information system: the OSI network reference model (the seven basic layers of information systems communication), network operating systems, database platforms and emerging technologies and innovations in the field.
2. A working knowledge of database, including structure and usage in multiple business contexts across disciplines, industries and organizations, and fundamental knowledge of SQL (Structured Query Language).
3. The ability to understand and map business processes across disciplines and organization.
4. The ability to analyze and design basic information systems. Students should effectively contribute to the implementation of systems that are aligned with business processes.
5. Knowledge of a variety of system platforms including .Net, SAP, Oracle and Web. Students should be aware of strengths and limitations of these platforms vis-à-vis common business processes and should be familiar with the user interface, navigation and basic administrative functions.
6. Fundamental understanding of web development and the relationship of various web-based systems with business processes, supply chain management, and e-commerce in general.
7. The ability to communicate across functional areas and across organizations with respect to information systems challenges, specifications, problem solving, and user requirements.
8. An understanding of current practices in IT outsourcing, including project specification, contracting, project management, bridging national and organizational cultures, and managing outsourcing relationships.

Knowledge of information technology, business processes and management foundations combined with skill in communicating with customers, co-workers, and vendors place ISBP students in great demand upon graduation. Graduates with backgrounds in information systems typically start their careers in the areas of database design, information analysis, or ERP consulting. With experience, graduates in this field often advance to management positions, managing consultants or marketing and project planning with information technology vendors.

Students earning a degree in Information Systems & Business Processes must complete the Clarkson Common Experience and complete 120 credits including the following: 33 credits of Clarkson Common Experience requirements (including the Clarkson Seminar, two mathematics courses (calculus and statistics), two science courses (one of which must include a lab), five knowledge area courses, and a technology course); 42 credits of foundation coursework in business; 27 credits of specialized business courses to satisfy the major requirements; and 18 credit hours are electives. Note that 50% of coursework must be taken outside the School of Business (no more than 3 economics and 2 statistics courses can count as non-business courses), so most of the electives will need to be taken outside the School of Business, depending on courses chosen for the Clarkson Common Experience.

The following would be the typical Third- and Fourth-Year Plan. There is enough flexibility so that students studying abroad during the third year should still be able to complete the degree requirements. Note that for this major, CS141 Introduction to Computer Science I should be taken prior to the junior year.

Third Year — First Semester			Third Year — Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
IS400	Business Processes and			Professional Elective	3
	Applications: Analysis		IS415	Data Warehousing and
	and Design	3		Data Mining	3
IS314	Database Management	3		Free or Non-Business
OS352	Strategic Human			Elective	3
	Resource Management	3		Non-Business Elective:
FN361	Financial Management	3		Clarkson Common
	Non-Business Elective	3		Experience Knowledge Area
				Requirement/Non-Business	3
		15		Professional Elective	3
					15
Fourth Year — First Semester			Fourth Year — Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
IS437	Business Application			Professional Elective	3
	Development	3	OM480	Project Management	3
	Professional Elective	3	OS432	Organizational Policy
	Non-Business Elective:			and Strategy	3
	Clarkson Common			Non-Business Elective:
	Experience Knowledge			Clarkson Common
	Area Requirement	3		Experience Knowledge
	Free or Non-Business			Area Requirement	3
	Elective	3		Non-Business Elective	3
	Non-Business Elective	3
					15
		15