ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE PROGRAM

The objective of the online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems degree program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce and advance in roles requiring the application of technology to information systems. The information systems degree covers a broader range of topics than more specialized IT programs, allowing graduates to significantly enhance their knowledge base. Required coursework will build your skills in programming, web design and systems analysis and design.

ONLINE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE CONCENTRATIONS

Concentrations are available in cyber security, health informatics and web development.

Cyber Security

This program dives into emerging cybersecurity trends and opportunities within information security. Build upon your foundation of programming knowledge by studying cyber security concepts like risk management, disaster recovery, network security and cryptography.

Health Informatics

Explore the application of information systems in a healthcare context. In this program, you’ll study information security and privacy in healthcare organizations, healthcare informatics, advanced database systems and computer software applications in healthcare.

Web Development

Focus on designing and creating websites in this web development concentration program. You’ll learn critical skills in JavaScript programming, jQuery, server-side web development and more to become a successful developer or systems analyst.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

Information systems and information technology are often used interchangeably, but in reality, they are not the same thing. Information systems is a broad term that describes the system used to create, store, change or distribute information. The information systems field connects business and computer science.

Information technology is a segment of information systems that deals with the technology itself. Essentially, it is the technology used to store and retrieve data, including hardware, software, databases, etc.

WHY TAKE ONLINE information systems COURSES AT University of Arkansas Grantham?

There are a number of benefits to pursuing an online education. Grantham’s online bachelor’s in information systems program allows students to complete their degree without needing to relocate to a specific university and cut costs at the same time.

Completing this bachelor's program will create better employment opportunities while also providing an entry to further education. Conveniently, Grantham offers related master's degrees in information technology and information management technology. Both of these programs are also 100 percent online and are designed to help students secure management or leadership positions.

How long is the Information Systems degree online program?

At 120 credit hours, the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems online degree program is designed to be completed in 38 months. It could take less time depending on how much transfer credit you receive and how many classes you take each term.

HOW MUCH WILL MY ONLINE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE PROGRAM COST?

The undergraduate rate is $295 per credit hour—lower if you’re a member of the military, a veteran or part of a military family. Grantham also offers scholarships and financial aid for those who qualify.

ONLINE INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM START DATE

Courses begin monthly, so we’re ready when you are.

Call University of Arkansas Grantham at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our accredited degree programs, financial assistance opportunities or the enrollment process.

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Information Systems (Bachelor of Science)

ONLINE Information Systems Degree Program Outcomes

After successfully completing these courses for your management information systems degree online, you will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
  • Analyze a problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
  • Design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component or program to meet desired needs
  • Address professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities
  • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • Analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society
  • Recognize the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
  • Use current techniques, skills and tools necessary for computing practice
  • Analyze processes that support the delivery and management of information systems

INFORMATION SYSTEMS Core Professional Competencies

University of Arkansas Grantham prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of professional and civic settings by incorporating these critical life skills into the curriculum:

  • Communication – Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing and in a digital world.
  • Distributed Collaboration – Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy and respect.
  • Professional and Social Responsibilities – Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions and an awareness of and adherence to regulations, professional standards and industry best practices.
  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem or a variety of issues. This includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision.
  • Data Aptitude – Developing information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating and interpreting in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.

Information Systems (Bachelor of Science)

ONLINE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE CURRICULUM

University of Arkansas Grantham’s 100% online coursework is designed to help you prepare for success in your next challenges. While working toward your Information Systems Bachelor of Science degree, your curriculum will look like:

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
Program Core Credits: 39
General Education Core Credits: 43
Concentration Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 23
Concentration Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 23
Concentration Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 23
Electives Credits: 38
Total Credit Hours: 120
Accreditation(s): DEAC
Textbook Information
Textbook Pricing
Cybersecurity: 15
Course: Title: Credits:
IS211 Introduction to Information Systems Security 3
  This course provides a broad overview of the principles, policies and technologies for securing computer and information systems. Topics include a survey of computer system vulnerabilities, cryptographic techniques, access control policies and mechanisms, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment and management, and the implications of security technology in the realm of risk management. Designing and implementing computer security policies and standards, formulating contingency plans and analyzing system security architectures, as well as compliance and ethics are examined.
IS355 Risk Management 3
  This course provides a comprehensive review of industry approaches, practices and standards on how to handle risks to organizations' business-critical assets. Topics include identifying and analyzing threats, qualitative versus quantitative risk management, standards and processes to mitigate risk, risk control and risk policy. Through a practical approach, this course explores key topics that enable students to uncover and remediate potential infractions.
IS360 Disaster Recovery 3
  This course provides a comprehensive overview of disaster recovery and countermeasures for networks and businesses. Assess risks in the enterprise, determine critical business components, develop an enterprise disaster recovery system, and develop disaster policies, procedures, departmental roles and communication processes for enterprise network. It will provide a foundation in disaster recovery principles, including preparation of a disaster recovery plan, assessment of risks in the enterprise, development of policies, and procedures, and understanding of the roles and relationships of various members of an organization, implementation of the plan, and recovering from a disaster. Learn how to create a secure network by putting policies and procedures in place, and how to restore a network in the event of a disaster. Produce a disaster recovery document of procedures and policies to implement training, testing and rehearsal of a disaster recovery.
IS411 Network Security 3
  This course introduces the techniques, methodologies and tools used in building and maintaining secure networks. Lab exercises address assessing protocol, network and code vulnerabilities. The course is aligned with the CompTIA Security+ certification examination.
IS440 Human Decision and Security Engineering 3
  Providing an exploration of the human aspects of Cybersecurity, this course will educate students on human motivation and interaction, how security controls may be bypassed by a person's intentional or unintentional acts, and methods for reducing the cyber risks associated with people. Topics include human behavior and interaction, motivation and influence, and social engineering. Emphasis is on the human element of cyber incidents in relation to protecting information and technology assets.
Health Informatics: 15
Course: Title: Credits:
HP356 Information Security and Privacy in Healthcare Organizations 3
  This course explores the regulatory issues associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the implications of this Act related to data security and privacy issues in healthcare organizations. Topics examined are identifying and prioritizing information assets and threats to those assets; defining information security strategy and architecture; planning responses to intruders in an information system; and identifying legal and ethical issues and implications of information security.
HP432 Healthcare Informatics 3
  This course focuses on the day-to-day requirements of healthcare systems in the processing and storing of patient information and the medical management systems to facilitate appropriate and safe care. Students examine a broad range of topics including: aspects of the healthcare delivery system in relation to overall management functions, institutional, social and political forces in healthcare, the role of IT in healthcare management and information security, and patient privacy.
HP205 Computer Software Applications in Healthcare 3
  This course provides an overview of commonly available software tools used in healthcare, including an introduction to encoding tools and computer-assisted coding software used in healthcare data processing. Focus is placed specifically on healthcare software and its many uses, functions and applications in the medical office. Other processes such as medical office billing and information technology are also discussed.
IS376 Advanced Database Systems 3
  This course provides a thorough and practical foundation for the design, implementation and management of database systems using a combination of theory and practice. These concepts are applied to the design and development of client/server database applications.
IS481 Database Security 3
  This course covers strategies and tactics for securing databases. It introduces the tools necessary to implement database security and auditing in order to protect data. Topics include basic data protection methods, secure database design, secure architectures, and secure transaction processing and auditing. Vulnerabilities and countermeasures are also covered.
Web Development: 15
Course: Title: Credits:
CS208 Programming in JavaScript 4
  This course covers JavaScript programming basics such as operators, expressions, arrays, loops, conditional statements, as well as advanced topics like AJAX.
CS350 Introduction to JQuery 3
  This course introduces students to the powerful jQuery framework library. For students already familiar with HTML, JavaScript, CSS and the DOM, this course addresses how to quickly and easily create interactive websites with enhanced user interfaces. Advantages of using the library for such things as form validation, event handling and AJAX interactions are also explored.
IS306 Web Design II 4
  Students gain skills in interactive techniques that combine XHTML with CSS and JavaScript. Also emphasized is XML document creation. The course focuses on skill building for advanced web design. This is a continuation of IS301.
IS370 Server Side Web Development 4
  This course covers how to build a feature-rich, data-driven interactive website. This is done on a Microsoft platform with an emphasis on using ASP.NET.
Program Core: 39
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: CS386 Title: Systems Architecture Credits: 4
  This course provides technical knowledge of computer hardware and system software. The material covered in the course presents the background needed for systems analysis, design, configuration, procurement and management.
Course: CS405 Title: Software Engineering Credits: 4
  This course covers the fundamentals of software engineering using a project management methodology and systems approach. Requirements analysis, system design and object-oriented analysis and design are covered.
Course: IS216 Title: Computer Networks Credits: 3
  This course covers fundamental, vendor-independent networking concepts. The course is aligned with the CompTIA Network+ certification exam. Various tools are used to analyze networks.
Course: IS231 Title: E-Commerce Credits: 3
  This course covers current electronic commerce strategies and technologies associated with the internet, the web, social networks and mobile devices. Key concepts, opportunities and applications of e-commerce are presented, providing an in-depth overview of the field of e-commerce.
Course: IS242 Title: Management Information Systems Credits: 3
  This course covers the principles of managing information systems in the context of an enterprise. Topics include coverage of information technology in management, information systems in decision-making, planning of information systems, systems development, controls and security measures, and electronic commerce.
Course: IS301 Title: Web Design I Credits: 4
  The course shows how to use Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible HTML (XHTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to create a website. 'Best practices' in website and web page design and creation are used.
Course: IS320 Title: Database Applications Credits: 3
  This course presents the fundamental concepts of database systems. The course covers the relational model, structured query language (SQL), data modeling, database design and database administration.
Course: IS311 Title: Security Operations Credits: 3
  This course covers the principles and practices of secure operation and management of information systems. Principles and practices of analysis and monitoring of systems security are also addressed.
Course: IS336 Title: Systems Analysis and Design Credits: 3
  This course introduces the concepts, tools and techniques used in the analysis, design and deployment of information systems which support business requirements. Topics include requirements determination, data and process modeling, various development methodologies, project management, data and user interface design, security, implementation and maintenance, and documentation.
Course: IS351 Title: Information Systems Project Management Credits: 3
  This course covers the technical and managerial aspects of project management as identified by the Project Management Institute's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Emphasis is placed on defining project management and its relationship to other business disciplines and the development of information systems. PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute.
Course: IS450 Title: Security Trends and Legal Issues Credits: 3
  This course examines the legal environment pertinent to security professionals. Topics include the role of government, relevant civil and criminal law, constitutional rights and privacy issues, intellectual property, and compliance. In addition, current trends in cybersecurity are explored.
Course: IS498 Title: Senior Research Project Credits: 3
  This capstone course requires students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they gained throughout the degree program by completing a major research project.
General Education: 43
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: English Composition Credits: 6
Course: EN261 Title: Fundamentals of Technical Writing Credits: 3
  This course introduces students to terms, concepts, and documents related to Technical Writing (writing in the work environment). The concepts and skills presented in the course are intended to be a foundation for effective writing that combines content and format with knowledge of the target audience. Technical writing covers many document types; the course will provide an overview of documents used in the work place such as visual elements, instructions, reports, and presentations. Students will create a portfolio of technical writing documents including: a proposal, progress reports, feasibility and recommendation reports, visual elements, and descriptions of a mechanism and a process.
Course: Math Credits: 12
Course: MA105 Title: College Algebra Credits: 3
  This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of algebra. Topics include equations, polynomial and rational functions and graphing and exponential and logarithmic functions. A new textbook may be required in order to ensure needed electronic codes are valid.
Course: MA230 Title: Mathematical Statistics I Credits: 3
  This course presents methods in making analytical decisions using statistics. The course focuses on the characteristics of numerical and categorical data, methods of presentation, and descriptive statistics. The course also introduces students to basic methods of sampling and of making inferences using one or two independent samples. NOTE: Credit may not be awarded for both MA215 and MA230.
Course: Natural/Physical Science Credits: 3
Course: Computer Science Credits: 7
Course: CS192 Title: Programming Essentials Credits: 3
  This course introduces problem-solving concepts needed for programming. It covers fundamental control structure such as the sequential structure, the selection structure and the repetition structure. The use of logic in designing programs has general application.
Course: CS200 Title: Programming in Java Credits: 4
  This course is devoted to object-oriented programming using Java. Topics include object-oriented programming, classes and instances, looping, arrays, flow control, packages, interfaces, streams, files, Java applet programming and applying advanced graphical user interface elements.
Course: Oral Communication Credits: 3
Course: Humanities and Fine Arts Credits: 3
Course: Social/Behavioral Science Credits: 6
Course: General Education Credits: 3

EN100, EN101, or EN102 must be taken to fulfill the other 3 credit hours of English Composition General Education requirements.
PROGRAM ELECTIVES (These are reflected in the Elective Credits)
100-499 Business, CS, IS, or IT electives equaling 6 credit hours must be taken.
300-499 CS, IS, or IT electives equaling 9 credit hours must be taken.
IS336 must be passed with a "C" or better in order to complete this program.