MIS Advising Information
Plan ahead. The MIS major requires 16 courses total. It’s best to declare your major early and get an advisor in MIS. If you’re already a business major, many of your courses will apply to the MIS major. It’s fairly easy to pick up an MIS minor your senior year if you’re already a business major. But be sure to register early; MIS courses have been in high demand.
Follow the suggested sequencing of courses. Many courses have prerequisites. The main sequencing to follow for MIS courses is to take MIS260, then 270/375/376, then 475, then 476. Definitely take MIS475 and 476 your senior year as they are a fall/spring sequence in the day program and winter/spring sequence in the WEC program. BUS242 (Principles of Management) is also a prerequisite to MIS375 and 376. Note that MAT171 and CSC160 should be taken together, and are prerequisites to both computer science choices CSC170 or 240.
Be prepared to use computers a lot. Of course many of your homework assignments in MIS require the use of a personal computer. You can use the computers in the labs, check out a laptop within the Lindell Library building, or use your own. We use Office XP (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), MS Project 2000, Visual Basic 5.0, and Visio 2000. If you choose to take CSC170, it currently uses Java which is free from Sun Microsystem’s web site. Students can buy software at great prices through Augsburg’s bookstore. If you do buy some software, for sure buy Office XP Professional (includes Access).
Be aware of general graduation requirements. In addition to meeting requirement for your major (and any minors), you need to meet several other requirements to graduate. Make sure you meet your perspective requirements and others.
Information on general education requirements can be found at Augsburg's online catalog. You can also find great checklists for making sure you have taken all general education, skills, and major graduation requirements at this link: business advising.
Frequently Asked Questions About MIS
Q 2: What kinds of jobs do MIS majors usually go into, and what do they get paid?
Q 3: Is an MIS minor very useful?
Q 4: Should I do an internship?
Q 5: What is the math requirement for an MIS major at Augsburg?
Q 6: Are all of Augsburg's skills requirements covered by the MIS major?
A: Many employers do not distinguish between these two degrees. In other words, they will often hire people with an MIS or CS degree. MIS programs were developed in response to industry needs for people who understand BOTH computers and business. That is why most MIS programs require a lot of business courses. A recent article in MIS Quarterly tries to differentiate the two areas by saying that CS focuses on algorithms while MIS focuses on organizations. CS programs generally require much more math and detailed courses on how computers and networks work. MIS courses focus on how technology can be applied in different organizations. Students should pick which ever major they feel more comfortable with. If you know you want to get into very technical design of computer hardware, software, or networks, CS may be a better choice. If you like to work with end users and figure out how information technology can help people work more effectively, MIS may be a better choice.
Q 2: What kinds of jobs do MIS majors usually go into, and what do they get paid?
A: There has been very high demand nationally and especially in the Twin Cities areas for students with undergraduate degrees in MIS and CS. Some students become programmer/analysts, others go into consulting, some become systems analysts or business analysts, and some start their own companies. Some recent companies that have hired MIS and CS majors and minors include Andersen Consulting, EDS, IBM, CSC Partners, Cargill, Connect, West Publishing, Board of Pensions, etc. There are also many smaller companies who need students with technical skills. Of course starting salaries vary, but many students get offers of $40,000 per year or more (based on 1997 and 1998 data for Augsburg students going into MIS positions).
Q 3: Is an MIS minor very useful?
A: Yes! As mentioned above, there is high demand how for people in MIS and CS. Many companies will hire MIS or CS minors because there aren't enough majors out there. Some companies actually prefer a minor so students have a broader background in other areas like marketing and finance.
Q 4: Should I do an internship?
A: It's always a good idea for students in any major to get a sense of the "real world" and different career opportunities by doing an internship or working part-time. I especially suggest that MIS students work in an area that uses their MIS skills. This will help you in your coursework and job search. Augsburg’s Center for Service, Work, and Learning has lots of contacts for getting internships or part-time jobs, especially related to MIS. They generally pay $8-12 per hour.
Q 5: What is the math requirement for an MIS major at Augsburg?
A: Students are required to take only one college level math course for an MIS major, MAT171, Discrete Mathematics for Computing. Students do need a math placement level III before taking MAT171, so students placing below math level III on entry to Augsburg must take an appropriate math course to bring them up to level III. MAT171 is to be taken at the same time or after CSC160.
Q 6: Are all of Augsburg's skills requirements covered by the MIS major?
A: Yes, except for a second writing course. BUS379 meets the quantitative reasoning requirement, MIS375 meets critical thinking and one of the two required writing skills courses (most students have no problem taking another course with a writing component), and MIS376 meets the speaking requirement.
Q 7: I have a fair amount of computer experience. How can I test out of MIS175?
A: There are several options.
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last updated 09/03/04