The M.S. in Information Systems distinguishes itself from other I.S. degrees by focusing on the kinds of quantitative analytics, data modeling, and interactive simulations that offer opportunities for understanding complex systems and problems in deeper ways. The technical skills imparted by the curriculum are complemented by business skills, which are increasingly required to transform information and ideas into marketable products and services.
Students will learn to:
- Identify and analyze business and social problems from a systems perspective.
- Define, design, implement, and evaluate computer-based systems.
- Apply advanced information systems tools and techniques—real-time programming, simulation, and mathematical modeling.
- Manage complex projects and technical change as well as formulate innovative business strategies.
- Communicate effectively—orally and in writing—as part of a cross-functional team.
In addition, students in the urban sustainability track will master the basic concepts of urban sustainability and learn to apply emerging technologies and information systems to issues such as transportation, energy, and buildings, for example.
Students will be required to take 24 credits in core courses. The core courses are foundational in nature. They lay out the basic concepts in mathematics, modeling, statistics, and programming techniques that are necessary for students to gain a broad understanding of data delivery, data storage, and data use by organizations for creating new products or systems. The core also includes a course in project management, an especially relevant skill for students who may be working on managing complex technology projects. At the end of their program, students will take two consecutive courses where they plan and develop a functioning information system.
Students can pursue their own interests through the 12 credit elective requirement. Students opting for the urban sustainability track must take at least 9 credits from the specialized electives. Writing and oral communications skills are integrated throughout the program.
Required Courses
1. Information and Systems
2. Engineering Mathematics for Complex Systems
3. Advanced Programming Techniques
4. Advanced Statistics and Probability Models
5. Simulation and Presentation
6. Project Management Concepts
7. Information Systems Master’s Research Project I
8. Information Systems Master’s Research Project II
Electives
General Electives
1. Managing Innovation and Strategy
2. Current Topics in Database Systems
3. Current Topics in Complex System Analysis
4. Current Topics in Information Systems
5. Independent Study
Specialized Electives in Urban Sustainability
1. Urban Society and Sustainability
2. Overview of Current Technologies for Sustainability
3. Algorithmic, Modeling, and Simulation Solutions
4. Current Topics in Urban Sustainability: Complex Systems
5. Current Topics in Urban Sustainability: Energy
6. Current Topics in Urban Sustainability: Transportation
Learn More about the Field
We encourage you to learn more about the evolving field of information, analytics, and modeling, as well as the related job prospects. While there are several reliable resources available, too many to cover here, consider starting with the ones listed below.
Bartels, Andrew H. with Ellen Daley, Andrew Parker, Boris Evelson, and Chétina Muteba. Smart Computing Drives the New Era Of IT Growth. Forrester Research. December 4, 2009.
Brown, Brad Michael Chui, and James Manyika. Are You Ready for the Era of ‘Big Data’? McKinsey Global Institute. October 2011.
Chui, Michael, Markus Löffler, and Roger Roberts. The Internet of Things. McKinsey Consulting. March 2010.
Special Report: It's a Smart World. The Economist. London: Nov 6, 2010. Vol. 397, Iss. 8707.
IBM Smarter Cities website.
