Department of Computer
Information Systems
Grise Hall,
Office 200
Phone: (270) 745-5408
Fax: (270) 745-6376
CIS Website: www.wku.edu/cis
SM Website: http://www.wku.edu/sm
CIT Website: http://www.wku.edu/cit
Dr. Jeff Butterfield, Chair
Associate Professors: R. Blankenship, J. Butterfield, T. Crews, Jr.
Assistant Professors: K. Atkinson, M. Ciampa, P. Coleman, M. Revels, E. Thrasher
Instructors: J. Lindsey, J. Willis
Optional Retiree: R. Bretz
Systems
Management/Computer Information Technology
Preparing Students to Succeed in the 21st Century
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Information Systems
occupations among the fastest-growing fields during the next decade (see:
www.bls.gov). The Computer Information Systems department at Western Kentucky
University provides students with the foundation for success in
computer-related careers including: systems analysts, network administrators,
web-designers, hardware specialists, technical trainers, and computer
consultants. The department offers two degree options. Systems Management (SM)
is an interdisciplinary major with an Informatics perspective. Computer
Information Technology (CIT) is an applied computer-technology major. The
Information Systems department at WKU has been nationally recognized for its
innovative curriculum and teaching methods. Please visit the SM website at
http://www.wku.edu/sm and the CIT website at http://www.wku.edu/cit for additional
details on the programs of study, sample class schedules, job opportunities,
and faculty information.
Overview of
Computing Facilities
Western Kentucky University maintains a number of general-purpose
computing labs across campus with a computer-to-student ratio that is among the
highest of all state universities. In addition, the Information Systems
department offers extensive hands-on learning opportunities through its own
computer-enhanced instructional classrooms, computer labs, and many web-enabled
courses. These resources allow SM/CIT students to make use of the latest
hardware and software technologies in their major courses. This unique blend of
classroom instruction and hands-on experience helps to prepare our graduates
for professional success.
Major in
Business Informatics
The business informatics major (reference number 507/507P) requires
72 semester hours and is designed to prepare students for professional careers
using information technologies to control, support, and enhance business operations
and functions. Global business is increasingly relying on the acquisition,
deployment, and management of information technology resources and services for
use in organizational processes which is resulting in an increasing need for
information workers. The business informatics major will provide students with
a solid business foundation combined with relevant study of modern technology
trends and the impact information systems are having throughout business and
society. As demand for computer and information processing services continues
to increase, so does the need for hybrid business technology roles. This major
will help strengthen the knowledge economy in Kentucky and increase the
availability of information workers critical to attracting and retaining
corporate interests in the state.
All students must take the following 45 hours of business core
courses: MATH 116; ACCT 200, 201; CIS 141; ECON 202, 203, 206; CIS 243; FIN
330; MKT 220; MGT 200, 210, 314, 498 or ENT 496; ECON 306 or MGT 313. Students
are required to meet all admission requirements for the Gordon Ford College of
Business.
Students must take the following 27 hours of courses for business
informatics: CIS 320; 321; SM 443; SM 447; CIT 350; 12 hours of business and
technology electives.
Minor in
Computer Information Systems
The CIS minor has been specifically designed for non-technical
majors who want to learn more about how technology can improve their personal
and professional productivity. Students in the CIS minor take a set of required
and elective courses in areas such as web-design, desktop publishing,
multi-media, computer graphics, geographic information systems, computer-aided
drafting and digital video production. Almost all professions today require
their employees to be proficient with computers–not just ‘literate.’ The CIS
minor is a valuable addition to any WKU major.
The minor in computer information systems (reference number 347)
requires 18 semester hours. Required courses are CIS 141,
CIS 243, CIS 320, CIS 321, and two approved electives. Approved electives include:
CIS 226, AMS 163, AMS 205, CS 240, ART 231, JOUR 232, BCOM 264, GEOG 317 and
ART 435. No more than three hours of electives may be used to fulfill other
degree requirements. Students with a minor in computer information systems
receive a 3-hour waiver in upper-division coursework. See the department about
other elective options.
