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Computer Information Systems Graduate Program

The Computer Information Systems Department provides education and a degree in Computer Information Systems that equip a predominantly urban student body, including those from the New Orleans metropolitan area, with IT and management knowledge and skills essential for careers in business and government, or for pursuing further studies.

Ghasem (David) Alijani, Ph.D., Chair
Business & Public Administration Building, Room 110
504-286-5142
dalijani@suno.edu


Professors: Ghasem (David) Alijani, Ph.D.
Associate Professor: Obyung Kwun, Ph.D., Yanjun Yu, Ph.D., Samuel Eweni, PhD


Mission

The purpose of the Master of Science Program in Computer Information Systems (MS-CIS) is to integrate information technology with business management. The program is designed to provide students with a strong educational foundation thereby preparing them as Information Systems (IS) professionals. MS-CIS consists of a specifically designed curriculum that emphasizes conceptual, analytical, technical and interpersonal skills. 

The MS-CIS program blends theory and practice into a learning experience the develops skills applicable to complex real-world problems. It is designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the field and to provide an enduring foundation for future professional growth. To be successful in the increasingly competitive global marketplace, most corporations are looking for employees that have comprehensive knowledge and training on aligning business management and the information systems function in ways consistent with organizational ethical principles. MS-CIS delivers exactly that. 
The CIS Department is housed in the College of Business and Public Administration (CBA) and has a mission that mirrors the aspirations of the business community. 

The MS-CIS curriculum is designed to accommodate both individuals holding undergraduate-information-systems-related degrees and other professionals who may have baccalaureate degrees outside the field.


Learning Goals & Objectives

Ethics: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics and its application in the decision-making process.

  • Objective: The student is able to differentiate between what is ethical and what is unethical.

Communication: The student is able to apply effective communication skills in a professional environment.

  • Oral Communication Objective: The student is able to prepare and deliver an effective business presentation.
  • Written Communication Objective: The student is able to produce well-written documents.

Technology: The student is able to demonstrate technical proficiency and to manage information technology projects to develop information systems that support an organization's needs.

  • Objective A: The student is able to apply methodologies to develop a system that supports an organization's needs.
  • Objective B: The student is able to understand project management skills in support of the organization's needs.

All students admitted into the program are assigned to a primary graduate program advisor. The graduate program advisor provides counseling about prerequisite courses, foundation courses, and core course scheduling. Students also have access to other faculty members as secondary advisors. All students with non-business-related degrees are required to complete a minimum of five specific undergraduate business foundation courses. Prerequisites and foundation courses can be completed at SUNO or elsewhere.

In order to accommodate working students, classes are scheduled in the evening, on weekends, or online. The MIS-CIS Program is a commuter-friendly program because all classes meet only once a week.


Specific Requirements

Applicants must submit either the GRE or the GMAT test scores for evaluation. For admission into the MS-CIS Program, all applicants must provide the following: an acceptable GRE score (in some cases, a high GRE may be used to compensate for a low GPA) or an acceptable GMAT score. In addition, students need to provide a personal statement, three recommendation letters, and transcripts of previous coursework. Students in the MS-CIS will be expected to complete 39 hours of CIS coursework for graduation if business foundational courses are not required.

Foundation courses are for students who do not have at least 15 credit hours of core business courses in their earned undergraduate or graduate degrees. All classes in the MS-CIS Program require students to have a basic understanding of business processes. For example, students enrolled in the Systems Analysis course are expected to have some knowledge of a payroll system when they are asked to perform an analysis and design of an updated system. Similarly, students enrolled in the Database Management course are expected to have some knowledge of supply chain systems when they are asked to develop the logical as well as a physical schema to capture the needed data. All MS-CIS students should, therefore, have a working knowledge of the materials contained in the following set of business courses required for undergraduate CIS majors:


Foundation Courses

ACCT 201 Principles of Financial Accounting
BADM 301 Principles of Finance
MGNT 362 Principles of Management
MKTG 370 Principles of Marketing
CISP 426 Applications of Object-Oriented Technology

Curriculum in CIS Graduate


Staff

Ghasem (David) Alijani, Department Chair & Professor
Ph.D., Wayne State University
Office: CBA 110
Phone: 504-286-5142
Fax: 504-286-5304
E-mail: dalijani@suno.edu
Teaching Areas: E-Commerce, Supply Chain, System Analysis, Web Design, Database Management Systems, Network Communication, and Security
Research Interests: Integrated Information Systems Design, E-Medicine, Decision-Support Systems, E-Commerce, Adaptive Resource Management, Real-Time Systems, and Critical Missions

Samuel O. Eweni, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Southern University and A&M College
Office: CBA 208
Phone:504-286-5170
Fax: 504-286-5304
E-mail: seweni@suno.edu
Teaching areas: Introduction to Information Systems, Management Information Systems, E-Business, Data Communications, and Network Security Management
Research Interests: E-Learning, E-Business, Electronic Commerce, Computer Security

Obyung Kwun, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Mississippi
Office: CBA 204
Phone: 504-286-5137
Fax: 504-286-5304
E-mail: okwun@suno.edu
Teaching Areas: Systems Analysis, Project Management, Database, E-Commerce, Programming and Management Information Systems
Research Interest: Systems Development, E-Learning, and E-Commerce

Yanjun Yu, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Washington State University
Office: CBA 206
Phone: 504-286-5169
Fax: 504-286-5304
E-mail: yyu@suno.edu
Teaching areas: Introduction to Information Systems, Microsoft Applications, Fundamentals of Information Systems, Data Communications, and Networking Security Management
Research Interests: Global Software Outsourcing, Communications, Cross-Cultural Study, Virtual Teams, Knowledge Management, Electronic Commerce, and Mobile Commerce.