Information Systems

  What is Information Systems?

Today, most organizations cannot function or compete effectively without computer-based information systems. Enterprises often ascribe their productivity improvement, improved customer service or competitive advantage in the market place to their information systems (IS). The IS major trains students to function at the intersection of business and technology, and to design and build the solutions that allow businesses to effectively leverage information technology.

  Success Factors

Successful graduates typically have an interest in information technology and an affinity for being in a fast paced, exciting environment where the underlying technology changes all the time. They have good communication skills and are needed to serve as translators between business needs and technology-based solutions, a role for which they are uniquely qualified. Finally, they possess the analytical/logical mind needed to translate ill-defined business problems and opportunities into clear, well-structured technology-based solutions.

  Career Possibilities

Given the wide diversity of possible roles in the field, students can choose a career path that best fits their skills and preferences, ranging from highly technical to primarily business focused. Those interested in the more business- oriented jobs have such starting options as business process or systems analysts, data modelers or project managers, among others. Those interested in more technical roles can choose to become web developers, database managers or network designers.

A popular option pursued by many of our graduates is to join IT Leadership Programs at such corporations as GE, Citigroup, Johnson & Johnson and Fifth Third Bank. These programs expose students to multiple areas within the IS function of a company; graduates typically spend 4-6 months in each role, for a total of two years, after which they assume longer term roles in an area of mutual fit.

Salaries for IS graduates remain among the highest in the college.

  Majoring in Information Systems

All students are admitted to the college as “pre-majors” for the first two years, transitioning to their desired major upon successful completion of the freshman and sophomore core courses with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. The freshman year introduces students to business concepts through the exemplary first-year experience program. All freshmen are enrolled in learning communities. Each learning community is paired with a Cincinnati company through "Project Fast Track" to allow students to apply the business knowledge they are gaining in their course work to a specific company. First-year students have the opportunity to meet with representatives from their businesses throughout the freshman year. Students are also enrolled in mathematics, English composition, general education requirements and courses from the global area studies requirements. 

The sophomore business core of accounting, business law, information systems, marketing and statistics begins the exposure of all students to the fundamental business disciplines to prepare them to communicate across the different business functional fields. The junior core, consisting of finance, international business, management, operations management and quantitative analysis, continues to give students additional skills in business fundamentals. Course work in the major begins in the junior year. The capstone experience involves a project through which students can tie together all they have learned. 

The IS major provides students a solid theoretical background in the analysis, design, development and deployment of computer-based information systems. Students acquire strong technical skills in databases, systems analysis and design, web development, business process modeling, business intelligence tools, telecommunications and project management along with problem solving skills through the team-oriented project-based courses in the program.

The information systems major requires completion of 28 hours of courses in the major.   

  Minoring in Information Systems

While the College of Business does not offer a minor in information systems, students in the College of Business may select information systems as a second major. Students enrolled in non-College of Business UC baccalaureate degree programs may pursue a minor in business administration by following a specified sequence of courses designed to give them experience in the business fundamental disciplines. 

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program.  These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

A bachelor of business administration degree from UC's College of Business, designed with input from leaders in the business community, provides students with the skills, experiences and knowledge necessary to complete in today's global business environment.

We offer a value-driven curriculum that includes: 

1. A broad based liberal arts experience
2. An innovative first-year experience program combining learning communities with "Project Fast Track," providing structured interaction with local business professionals
3. Exposure to global business issues
4. Options in foreign language, global area studies and study abroad
5. A choice of major with the option to add an area of concentration in another business discipline
6. Exposure to a broad "business-core base"
7. Opportunities to gain valuable on-the-job experience through our nationally known co-op program or internships
8. College-sponsored study abroad programs

  Special Programs

The selective Carl H. Lindners Honors-PLUS Program, a five-year mandatory co-op curriculum, accepts applications prior to January 15th of a potential freshman's senior year.  Accepted students have all the traditional options and significant financial, international, housing and co-op opportunities.

The Kolodzik Business Scholars Program seeks to admit new freshmen, transfer and transition students and current CoB students dedicated to outstanding academic performance.

The Lindner Honors-PLUS and Kolodzik Business Scholars programs are complementary, but separate and independent. Students can be enrolled in only one of the programs.

The College of Business offers a variety of study abroad programs ranging from one week to a full quarter.  Programs take place in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, France, France and Spain, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico and Thailand, and include classes, company visits and cultural activities. Students receive credit toward their degree while gaining real-world experience in their area of study.

The Professional Practice Program, a cooperative education opportunity alternating work and study quarters starting the second academic year, is highly recommended. Participation in the co-op program offers paid, practical work experience in some of the country's best business organizations. Learning current industry practices and enhancing employment opportunities after graduation are key benefits of this program.

To help students develop professionally and gain leadership experience, the college encourages all students to become active in one or more of the many professional and social organizations that exist in the college and on the campus.

  Admission Requirements

First-year applicants are those who have not enrolled in college or university courses (other than Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program) since graduating from high school. The following minimum requirements must be met for admissions consideration into the College of Business:

Bachelor of Business Administration Program (Traditional Studies)

1. Graduation from an accredited high school in the top 60 percent of the class with a GPA >= 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Completion of the following subjects:
    English (4 units)
    College-preparatory mathematics (4 units)*
    Science (2 units)
    Social science (2 units)
    Foreign language (2 units)
    Fine Arts (1 unit)
    Additional unit of above (1 unit)  

*  Four units of college preparatory mathematics (including at least algebra I & II, geometry and one additional unit such as calculus, pre-calculus, functions or finite mathematics). 

3. ACT composite score of 21 or higher and ACT math score of 21 or higher (OR) SAT score (excluding writing) of 980 or higher and SAT math score of 500 or higher.    

Bachelor of Business Administration Program (Marvin P. Kolodzik Business Scholars)

The Marvin P. Kolodzik Business Scholars (KBS) Program is designed for highly motivated students with superior academic ability. This educational experience seeks to admit new freshmen, transfer, transition and current CoB students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. In addition, the program seeks to admit candidates who are innovative and who have the ability to think globally and work collaboratively. KBS students value choice, creativity and individuality, have passion for their chosen specializations and appreciate community and teamwork. Admission is highly selective. 

Applicants for the KBS Program must meet the College of Business general admission criteria. Prospective freshmen must be eligible for the CINCINNATUS Scholarship (http://www.financialaid.uc.edu/cincinnatus.html). To be considered for the CINCINNATUS Scholarship, applicants must have a completed admission application (including high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores) on file with the Office of Admissions no later than December 15th of the applicant's high school senior year. Completion of the College of Business honors application is required by January 15th (http://www.business.uc.edu/BusinessScholars/Scholarships).

Transfer, transition and current CoB students are considered for admission through the beginning of their junior years. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 to be considered for admission. Interested students who meet the required grade point average should contact the Director of Enrollment Services, in the Undergraduate Programs Office, Lindner Hall, Suite 105, prior to April 1st.

Bachelor of Business Administration Program (Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program) 

The Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program is designed for highly motivated students with superior academic ability and demonstrated leadership skills who are committed to a career in business. This educational opportunity seeks to admit students in for the freshmen year. In addition to being academically strong, selection is based upon candidates' non-academic and extra-curricular profile. Admission is highly selective.

Applicants for the Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program must meet the College of Business general admission criteria. Prospective freshmen must be eligible for the CINCINNATUS Scholarship  (http://www.financialaid.uc.edu/cincinnatus.html). To be considered for the CINCINNATUS Scholarship, applicants must have a completed admission application (including high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores) on file with the Office of Admissions no later than December 15th of the applicant's high school senior year. Completion of the College of Business honors application is required by January 15th (http://www.business.uc.edu/honorsplus/).

On occasion, transfer, transition and current CoB students may be admitted as rising sophmores. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 to be considered for admission at this level, and high school credentials are used in combination with freshman year accomplishments. Interested students who meet the required grade point average should contact the Director of Enrollment Services in the Undergraduate Programs Office, Lindner Hall, Suite 105, prior to April 1st.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

Students wishing to transfer to the College of Business from colleges and universities other than the University of Cincinnati must meet or exceed each of the requirements stated below. Please note that the collegiate grade point average for transfers from other colleges and universities is calculated utilizing all course work attempted at each college and university attended.

1.  Cumulative collegiate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale over all course work attempted.    

2.  Must demonstrate appropriate progress toward completion of the required mathematics courses.  All College of Business students must complete Math 224 (Fundamentals of Applied Calculus) OR Math 225 (Finite Math), and Math 226 (Applied Calc I) and 227 (Applied Calc II) (a 9-hour math sequence) or its equivalent, OR Math 251 (Calculus I - 5 hours) and Math 252 (Calculus II - 4 hours) or the equivalent from another institution.   

3.  Must be in good standing in current college or university. Conditional offers of admission will be made using transcripts with courses in progress. A final transcript is required before the student is allowed to enroll.   

Students may apply online at www.admissions.uc.edu. The College of Business admits students to begin in the autumn, winter, spring or summer quarter. 

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Applicants to the College of Business must meet or exceed each of the admission requirements stated below. Please note that the collegiate grade point average for students transitioning from other UC colleges is calculated utilizing all college-level course work attempted at each college and university attended.

1.  Cumulative collegiate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale over all course work attempted.   

2.  Must demonstrate appropriate progress toward completion of the required mathematics courses. All College of Business students must complete Math 224 (Fundamentals of Applied Calculus) OR Math 225 (Finite Math), and Math 226 (Applied Calc I) and 227 (Applied Calc II)(a 9-hour math sequence) or its equivalent, OR Math 251 (Calculus I - 5 hours) and Math 252 (Calculus II - 4 hours) or the equivalent from another institution.   

3.  Must be in good standing in current UC college. Conditional offers of admission will be made using transcripts with courses in progress. A final transcript is required before the student is allowed to enroll.    

Applications for Change in College and Program may be obtained in Lindner Hall, Suite 105, or in any UC college office. Applications are due by the date printed on the application. All applications for the College of Business must be submitted to the Undergraduate Programs Office, Lindner Hall, Suite 105.

The College of Business accepts transition students to begin in the autumn, winter, spring or summer quarter.  Students applying for autumn or winter quarter admission must meet the above admission requirements by the end of the quarter prior to admission.

Students applying for spring or summer quarter admission must meet the above admission requirements by the end of the autumn quarter (spring admission) or at the end of the winter quarter (summer admission).

  International Student Requirements

The College of Business welcomes international applicants who seek a challenging academic environment. The Office of Admissions will send an international application packet upon request. Note that if your native language is not English, you will be required to take the TOEFEL or the IELTS examination. Please reference the Office of Admissions Web site with international student information for the College of Business minimum standards.

International applicants at the first-year level must have a strong mathematics background and be prepared to begin the college's Finite Math & Calculus sequence.

International applicants who are transferring to the UC College of Business must demonstrate appropriate progress toward completion of the required mathematics courses. All College of Business students must complete Math 224 (Fundamentals of Applied Calculus) OR Math 225 (Finite Math), and Math 226 (Applied Calc I) and 227 (Applied Calc II) (a 9 hour math sequence) or its equivalent, OR Math 251 (Calculus I - 5 hours), Math 252 (Calculus II - 4 hours) or the equivalent from another institution.

The University of Cincinnati requires that all transcripts be official copies with an official translation attached. The College of Business requires all students who have earned credit at foreign universities to have the documents evaluated by a credit evaluation service prior to registering for classes at the university. A copy of the evaluation must be received by the College of Business at least two weeks prior to the date the student is scheduled to register for classes.

Such an evaluation may be obtained from:

 World Education Services
 568 Broadway, Suite 301
 P.O. Box 745
 New York, NY 10013
 USA
 Web address: www.wes.org
                                   or
 AACRAO International at:
 www.AACRAO.org/credential/

Other such agencies may be located via the internet. 

Although the College of Business does not require international applicants to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), it is highly recommended.

Contact the Office of Admissions for further information regarding admission procedures and deadlines for the College of Business. 

  Graduation Requirements

The degree of bachelor of business administration is granted to those who complete satisfactorily the required course work for the specified degree, with university, college, major and/or concentration grade point averages of 2.0 or better. This includes the university’s general education requirements.  

  Application Deadlines

Prospective Freshmen - Freshmen applicants hoping to begin in the autumn quarter are urged to submit their applications prior to December 15. Applications should be filed as soon after September 1 as possible. First-year students must provide an official transcript of their high school record and scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) program. Those who have participated in a Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program should submit official copies of any college or university transcripts. The College of Business admits freshmen in the autumn, winter or spring quarter.

Changing Majors within UC - Students applying for admission to the College of Business from other UC Colleges should complete a Change in College Application form in accordance with the quarterly deadlines printed on the reverse side of the form. This document may be obtained in College of Business Undergraduate Programs Office (Lindner Hall, Suite 105) or from any UC college office.

Tranferring to UC - Students applying for admission to the College of Business from non-UC Colleges should submit a University of Cincinnati online application, at www.admissions.uc.edu. Students are urged to file their applications at least two months prior to the beginning of the quarter in which they hope to enter the college.

  Accreditation

The College of Business has been accredited continuously since 1919 by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier accrediting agency for business colleges.