Computer and Information Systems (MS)
The master of science in computer and information systems (MSCIS) program is intended to increase the supply of high quality information technology professionals and contribute to the professional advancement of employees in the information technology workforce. The degree program draws on the strengths of UW-Parkside’s faculty and computing resources in both computer science (CS) and management information systems (MIS). Graduates of this program will advance in their careers with up-to-date information technology knowledge and skills, and practical experience with information systems development and deployment.
Disruption of Studies
Students are expected to complete MSCIS degree requirements in two to three years, depending on preparation. An MSCIS degree candidate who fails to complete the degree within five years after admission will be dropped from the program. A degree candidate who does not enroll in an MSCIS course within a period of 12 months must apply for readmission.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze an IT/IS or business system using data science techniques.\\n
- Work with computing technology through: Design, develop, test, and implement software using industry leading practices and/or Develop information technology technical solutions. Lead and manage IT projects using project management principles. Design and implement organizational and IT control mechanisms that lead to a reliable and secure information system. Use research methods to investigate a problem from a technical, management, and ethical perspective. Communicate Information Systems principles and practices effectively and professionally within an enterprise.
Program-Specific Policies
Transfer Students
Students may transfer up to 12 credits of graduate work taken at another accredited institution, with a maximum of 3 transfer credits applied toward their concentration. Transferability is subject to equivalence with MSCIS courses. Only courses with a grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better will be accepted. Transfer courses are not counted toward the UW-Parkside GPA requirement of 3.0 in MSCIS course work.
Additional Program Policies
A maximum of two 500-level courses and/or a maximum of three credits in independent study courses will be accepted for the graduate degree. Additionally, independent study courses will only be approved in extenuating circumstances in which other regular needed CIS graduate courses are not available in that particular academic term, and waiting for their offering would impact the expected student graduation date. The classes must be approved by the MSCIS advisor.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all course work required for the MSCIS degree to continue and complete in the degree program.
To achieve the goals, MSCIS students must complete prerequisite requirements (up to 20 credits that can be waived with undergraduate equivalent courses) and a minimum of 30 credits distributed as follows: 15 credits of required course work, 9 credit hours in a concentration and 6 credit hours as electives.
Concentrations enable students to specialize in their education toward a particular career goal. Concentrations include cyber-security, data science, information technology management and software development. A thesis option is available for those students who would like to eventually pursue a doctoral degree. The requirements and the classes in each concentration area are specified below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| 0 to 15 credits, depending on background and selected concentration area | 0-15 | |
| Database Management 1 | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
or MIS 328 | Database Management Systems | |
| Computer Systems/Data Communications 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Computer Communications and Networks | ||
| Cloud Computing in Business | ||
| Programming Proficiency Requirements 2 | ||
| The normal path to ensure programming proficiency includes the following courses: | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computer Science II | ||
| Required Program Core Courses | ||
| MBA 716 | Project Management | 2 |
| CIS 710 | Data Science for Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| CIS 774 | Programming Paradigms | 3 |
| CIS 779 | Information System Security | 3 |
| CIS 795 | Research Methods in Computer and Information Systems | 3 |
| CIS 798 | Computer and Information Systems Seminar | 1 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Students must select a concentration area 3 | 9 | |
| Elective Courses 4 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30-45 | |
- 1
Waived with a grade of C or better in an undergraduate or graduate equivalent course.
- 2
For the software development concentration only, programming proficiency is a required prerequisite. A programming proficiency exam is available to determine placement into required prerequisites or to waive the requirement.
- 3
Students must select a concentration and complete a minimum of nine credits within that area. A maximum of three credits of independent study related to a project or thesis may be used to satisfy this requirement.
A student may complete a maximum of two concentrations as part of the degree program. A course cannot be used to satisfy the requirements in more than one concentration.
- 4
Students must also complete six credits of electives to ensure 30 credits overall are completed for the degree. These credits may be chosen from any of the concentration areas, may include internship or independent studies, or may choose courses from other graduate programs, with advisor approval.
Concentration Areas
MSCIS courses are divided into four concentration areas: cyber-security, data science, information technology management and software development.
CyberSecurity
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Business Data Communications | ||
or CIS 635 | Linux System Administration | |
or CIS 677 | Computer Communications and Networks | |
| Web Application Security | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Security Risk | ||
| Special Topics courses CIS 690 and CIS 790 can be used when the topic is related to the concentration. An Executive Action form will need to be submitted by the department. | ||
Data Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Data Science Programming and Visualization | ||
| Data Mining and Machine Learning | ||
| Deep Learning | ||
| Data Science/Machine Learning Project | ||
| Technologies For Data Analytics | ||
| Optimization Techniques | ||
| Supply Chain Analytics | ||
| Special Topics courses CIS 690 and CIS 790 can be used when the topic is related to the concentration. An Executive Action form will need to be submitted by the department. | ||
Information Technology Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Business Data Communications | ||
| Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Advanced Project Management Tools and Techniques | ||
| Project Management Simulation | ||
| Web Application Security | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Security Risk | ||
| Accounting and Finance Fundamentals For Business | ||
| Advanced Operations Management | ||
| Global Supply Chain Management | ||
| Information Technology for Business Decision Making | ||
| Technologies For Data Analytics | ||
| Optimization Techniques | ||
| Supply Chain Analytics | ||
| Special Topics courses CIS 690 and CIS 790 can be used when the topic is related to the concentration. An Executive Action form will need to be submitted by the department. | ||
Software Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Development in Android | ||
| Mobile Development in iOS | ||
| Data Structures and Algorithm Design | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Computer Graphics | ||
| Computer Vision | ||
| Compiler Design and Implementation | ||
| Web Application Security | ||
| Client/Server Development | ||
| Software Engineering Principles and Practice I | ||
| Software Engineering/Project Management | ||
| Computer Communications and Networks | ||
| Advanced Databases | ||
| Special Topics courses CIS 690 and CIS 790 can be used when the topic is related to the concentration. An Executive Action form will need to be submitted by the department. | ||
University Requirements for Master’s Degree Programs
To receive a master’s degree from UW-Parkside, students must meet the following minimum requirements (note that individual programs may impose more stringent requirements):
- Complete at least 30 graduate credits, of which no more than 12 may be transferred from another institution.
- Have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 for all graduate work taken at UW-Parkside that is applicable to the degree program.
- Satisfy all requirements of the graduate degree program.
Students may take no more than seven years to complete a degree, beginning with the semester in which they complete their first course as a UW-Parkside degree-seeking graduate student, unless they apply for and receive an extension through the appropriate graduate program. Some programs may impose a shorter time limit. To graduate, students must file a request for graduation. The request form, signed by the student’s advisor and filed in the appropriate graduate program office, initiates the final review of the candidate’s records. Students also need to apply to graduate with the Office of the Registrar.
To qualify for admission into the MSCIS program, an applicant must apply to the MSCIS Program online as indicated below, and submit all required documents to the Admissions Office.
Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
900 Wood Road
P.O. Box 2000
Kenosha WI 53141-2000
Admission requirements include those listed below.
- A completed application form, along with the application fee payment. The application form can be found online at: https://apply.wisconsin.edu/
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, sent directly to the Admissions Office. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Applicants with undergraduate degrees from international universities must also submit a WES or ECE transcript analysis.
- GRE or GMAT scores sent directly to the Computer Science department office. The GRE or GMAT can be waived for students from U.S. regionally accredited universities with computer science, engineering, or management information systems majors, or others with undergraduate GPA above 3.2.
- A resume that details the applicant’s education and work history (recommended, not required).
- Two letters of recommendation sent directly to the Admissions Office (recommended, not required).
- International students must also submit a sponsorship form and an ECE or WES transcript evaluation. International students whose native language is not English must submit evidence of English proficiency, normally by presenting a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The TOEFL/IELTS is waived for graduates of universities from English-speaking countries.
- Additional materials in support of the applicant, as appropriate.
Contact the computer science department office for information about application deadlines.
At the discretion of the MSCIS program faculty, students with minor deficiencies in items 2 and 3 may be conditionally accepted into the program if they can otherwise demonstrate significant potential for success.