Information Systems Major, Business Specialization

Notice of Addendum: The program description was updated effective Spring 2025 and has been published on ADDENDA TO THIS CATALOG. 

Associate Dean: Joseph Bailey, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean: Brian Horick

The Business Area of Concentration in the Information Systems (IS) program prepares students to be effective planners, users, and managers of information technologies and systems in the current environment of the technology-enabled business firm.  The IS major focuses on the system design and implementation skills including database and web design, analytical skills for both strategic planning of IT and performance evaluation, and the managerial plus organizational knowledge required to manage information systems and applications based on business and customer requirements.  The major's core emphasizes the concepts of systems analysis and design, and the strategic use of information systems.  In addition to a broad grounding in the key functional areas of marketing, operations, accounting, and finance, this major develops in-depth knowledge of information systems design and implementation, evaluation and planning of information technology investments, and managing dynamic technology projects.

Admission to the Major

See "Admission Requirements" on the Robert H. Smith School of Business page.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply elements of critical thinking.
    2.
  2. Identify common situations in chosen career that could result in ethical dilemma.
    3.
  3. Analyze ethical scenarios and apply frameworks to develop solutions.
    4.
  4. Foster and sustain team environments that are inclusive of ideas from all contributing members.
    5.
  5. Apply leadership skills to motivate and coordinate with other to achieve goals.
    6.
  6. Write professional-grade business documents.
    7.
  7. Develop and deliver effective oral presentations.
    8.
  8. Identify and use appropriate quantitative tools and techniques.
    9.
  9. Use software applications to analyze and solve problems.
    10.
  10. Explain how functional areas interact and drive one another.
    11.
  11. Utilize database management, queries and data warehousing solutions to support business intelligence and decision making.
  12. Design an information system solution to problems of a real business enterprise.
  13. Apply information system development methodologies to create, test, and document a functional information system for a real business enterprise.

Notice of Addendum: requirements for this program were updated effective Spring 2025 and have been published on ADDENDA TO THIS CATALOG. 

Course Title Credits
College Requirements
Major Requirements
BMGT302Essential Programming Skills for Business Analytics 13
BMGT402Database Systems 23
BMGT403Systems Analysis and Design3
BMGT407Information Systems Projects3
Select two courses from list 'A' or one course from 'A' and one course from list 'B':6
List A:
BMGT405
BMGT406
Developing Applications for the Web and Social Media
BMGT408
Emerging Topics in Information Systems 3
BMGT476
Technology Applications in Supply Chain Management
BMGT485
Project Management
BMGT404
Essential Data Skills for Business Analytics
List B:
BMGT326
Accounting Systems
BMGT332
Quantitative Models for Management Decisions
BMGT385
Operations Management
BMGT430
Data Modeling in Business
BMGT461
Entrepreneurship
BMGT484
Digital Marketing
Upper Level Economics Requirements
Select one of the following:3-4
ECON305
Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
ECON306
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory & Policy
ECON330
Money and Banking
ECON340
International Economics
Total Credits21-22
1

CMSC132 Object-Oriented Programming II is approved substitute

2

CMSC424 Database Design is approved substitute

3

repeatable if content differs

Note:  Students who have completed either ECON325 or ECON326 can substitute these courses for ECON305 or ECON306 respectively.

In addition to the major requirements listed above, please consult the Summary of Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements (All Curricula) on the College Requirements section or www.rhsmith.umd.edu for a listing of additional Smith School degree requirements that apply to all Smith School majors.

Click here for roadmaps for graduation plans in the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Additional information on developing a graduation plan can be found on the following pages: