Academics
Undergraduate Programs: Majors and Minors
Undergraduate Programs: Majors and Minors
Computer Information Systems, B.S.
About the Program
The computer information systems program prepares students for entry-level positions, such as programmer, systems analyst, or network support in the computer field, and provides them with the technical knowledge and managerial skills necessary for a wide range of subsequent career paths. There is a growing demand in all sectors for individuals with this combination of capabilities. This program was developed with the cooperation of employers and information systems professionals and, unlike a computer science program, its emphasis is on commercial applications of computers rather than theory.
About the Computer Information Systems Department
202 Chase Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5528
Fax: (716) 878-6677
www.buffalostate.edu/cis/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Computer Information Systems Department
Admission Requirements
Transfer students from parallel A.S. or A.A.S. programs in computer information systems or computer science, and students from nonparallel programs who have completed a programming course equivalent to CIS 151, are accepted directly into the CIS major on a competitive basis providing they have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in major courses from the transfer institution. Freshmen and transfer students who do not meet these requirements for admission to the CIS major are accepted into the CIS premajor (0824) with no special requirements. Premajors are expected to take CIS 151 within three semesters of entering the premajor. Freshmen who have 6 credits of AP computer science can be accepted directly into the CIS major (0825). CIS premajors, undeclared students, and students in other majors at Buffalo State can be admitted to the CIS major when they have (a) completed CIS 151 (or an equivalent transfer course) with a minimum grade of C or achieved a minimum GPA of 2.0 in CIS major courses taken at Buffalo State, and (b) achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at Buffalo State.
The CIS department is in the process of curricular revision. Please refer to college Web listings or the department for updated information.
Career Information
Recent graduates have been hired as programmers, systems analysts, network administrators, and database managers. Typical hiring firms include software developers, banks, health care systems, government agencies, and businesses that maintain or sell information systems.
Recent graduates have been hired by organizations such as HSBC, IBM, Erie County, Independent Health, Kaleida Health, SUNY, GE, ClientLogic, Ingram Micro, and Digicon.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credit Hours in Computer Information Systems 42 cr
A. Required Courses (24 cr)
CIS 151 Computer-Based Information Processing I
CIS 251 Computer-Based Information Processing II
OR
CIS 361 Fundamental Concepts in Object-Oriented Programming1
CIS 315 Computer Organization
CIS 370 Systems Analysis and Design
CIS 380 Microcomputer Applications
CIS 400 Visual Basic Programming for the Windows Environment
CIS 410 Computer Operating Systems
CIS 411 Database Systems
B. Electives (18 cr)
CIS 311 Computer Models for Decision Making
CIS 351 Structured Programming
CIS 375 Programming for the Internet Environment
CIS 391 Information Systems Project Management
CIS 405 Comprehensive COBOL Programming
CIS 413 Multimedia Web Programming
CIS 420 Database Management Systems
CIS 425 Object-Oriented Development
CIS 435 Computer Seminar
CIS 442 Advanced Systems Applications
CIS 470 Data Communications
CIS 471 Networking Laboratory I
CIS 473 Enterprise Systems Design and Administration
CIS 475 Programming for the Internet Environment II
CIS 488 Internship
CIS 495 Project
CIS 499 Independent Study
In addition to the above courses, one non-CIS course may be taken as an elective with the department chair’s permission.
C. Additional Requirements
A minimum of 21 credit hours must be completed in the CIS department. No more than 3 credit hours of CIS 488 may be used to fulfill the CIS elective requirement.
No more than 3 credit hours of CIS elective requirement can be satisfied by credit hours from CIS 495 and CIS 499.
1 Required only for transfer students who have not taken a course in C programming.
All College Electives 12–39 cr
Total Required Credit Hours 120 cr
