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Computer Information Systems

Learn to design, build and manage innovative solutions to complex problems in the business and technology industries.

Overview
Create technology solutions in business

Understanding offline processes is as important to managing technical systems as knowing how to manipulate, transmit and store electronic data. A mix of computer science and business management courses will give you crucial insight into the flow of information in an organization.

You’ll study object-oriented programming, and you’ll learn to break down complicated processes into their individual parts, and transform those parts into working code. This approach will make you more a more adept problem solver.

Learn the systems development lifecycle

You’ll learn to lead the creation of large-scale systems that can be made up of thousands of components, including computers, servers, telephone networks, websites, printers and manufacturing equipment.

The process of building new systems has several phases — gathering business requirements, understanding design tradeoffs, creating implementation strategies, performing acceptable risk analysis and following up on projects. Known as systems engineering, this interdisciplinary skill set will be one of your most valuable career assets.

Study in a diverse network environment

Modern industries often use a mix of technologies, and you’ll need cross-platform experience in order to be successful. Our experimental networking lab will allow you to work with different protocols and operating systems, exposing you to development on integrated networks.

Gain hands-on experience

To hone your skills in an active business environment, you’ll take on internships and independent projects. These opportunities will give you invaluable career experience — and sometimes future job offers!


At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Department

Computer Science

School/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the computer information systems program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Degree requirements

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in computer information systems and explore the courses.


Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

CSC 210: Introduction to Computer Programming

First-semester computer programming course. This course introduces the principles of computer science, problem-solving methods and algorithm development using a high-level language. This is a programming class primarily for computer science, computer information systems, mathematics, and science majors.

See description
CSC 350: Data Communication & Networks

Includes discussion of distributed data processing, communication techniques, wide-area and local-area networks, integrated services digital network, open-systems interconnection, security and network management.

See description
CSC 360: Computer System Security

An introduction of security issues in computer system and data communications, including Data Encryption Standard, public-key systems, digital signatures, ciphers, data compression, data manipulation and supporting techniques.

See description
CSC 410: Database Management Systems

Studies the concepts and structures necessary to design and operate a database management system. Topics include data modeling, relational database design, and database querying.

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BUS 381: Information Systems & Organization Design

This course investigates the nature and uses of various types of information systems in business organizations, including decision support systems, expert systems, executive and management information systems, and communication systems. Examines the relationships between information system use and business strategy and the applications of information systems in the development of competitive advantage.

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CSC 331: Systems Analysis

This is the first course in system engineering that stresses the system development life cycle. Students learn ways of organizing the structure and process of building very large-scale systems that may or may not involve computers. Includes information gathering, design tradeoffs, implementation strategies, product liability, acceptable risk analysis and project follow-up.

See description

View all required courses



4+1 Option: Fast Track Your Graduate Degree

Add further value to your degree by choosing the 4+1 Option, which gives you a head start on earning a related graduate degree. With 4+1, you’ll be able to take graduate-level courses as part of your undergraduate curriculum. After graduation, you’ll only need one additional year to complete your degree at Cal Lutheran — saving you both time and money.

View 4+1 Programs

The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

  • Networking Lab

    Modern industries often use a mix of technologies, and you’ll need cross-platform experience in order to be successful. Our experimental networking lab will allow you to work with different protocols and operating systems, exposing you to development on integrated networks.

  • Internships

    Internship opportunities at companies such as Google, Intel and Disney will give you hands-on experience working in the industry. These experiences can provide invaluable career insights — and even future job offers!

Career Paths

Computer information systems is a rapid-growth, high-demand area. Your ability to understand the whole process — not just the technology — will allow you to build a rewarding career in a variety of industries.


Potential Careers

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

See description

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

See description

Information Technology Project Managers

Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.

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Computer Systems Analysts

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

See description

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

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Computer Network Support Specialists

Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

See description

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

See description

Project Management Specialists

Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

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Looking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.

Employers

Some of the organizations our graduate work for include:

  • 3M
  • American Apparel
  • Bank of America
  • Crescendo Interactive
  • Farmer’s Insurance
  • Harlow Technologies
  • Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
  • US Forest Service
  • WellPoint
  • Yardi

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Arizona State University
  • California Lutheran University
  • California State University, Northridge
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Nevada
  • University of Southern California

 

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

Cost & Financial Aid

We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.


Tuition & Fees

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Scholarships & Grants

We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.

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Financial Aid

If you're new to the financial aid process, you probably have a lot of questions. But don't worry — we're here to help guide you all the way.

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