Program Overview

Overview of the Computer Information Systems Concentration

The College of Business computer information systems (CIS) concentration provides undergraduate students with broad knowledge of computer information systems along with the skills needed for effective decision making in a business environment that is diverse, global, and highly competitive. The curriculum evolves continuously to ensure that your degree features the most useful and up-to-date material valued in the industry. This concentration allows you to merge your academic focus with your career goals while working to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Curriculum Requirements

Students who choose the computer information systems concentration must take at least 24 credits of CIS-specific courses in addition to the All-University Core Curriculum and College of Business courses.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes in the CIS program use a tiered model based on year in school, building on the previous year’s learning outcomes. Students will demonstrate the ability to:

• design, write, and test computer programs written in various computer languages by the end of their sophomore year
• design, implement, and test a database; construct a project plan for technology implementation; understand, implement, and administer various network protocols and implementations by the end of their junior year
• integrate and implement previously learned technologies in a web-based environment by the time they graduate

Courses

The courses below reflect the Colorado State University catalog, published in August 2025 for students enrolling during the academic year. Courses listed are updated each summer for incoming students.

Freshman

• BUS 100 or BUS 105: Introduction to Business/Exploration of Business
• BUS 225: Transforming Business for Sustainable Impact (GT-AH3)
• CIS 200: Business Information Systems
• CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2)
• ECON 202: Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)
• Complete 3 credits from the following: - MATH 117: College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1) - MATH 118: College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1) - MATH 120: College Algebra (GT-MA1) - MATH 124: Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1) - MATH 125: Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1) - MATH 126: Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1) - MATH 127: Precalculus (GT-MA1) - MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course): Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)
• Biological and Physical Sciences: 4 credits
• Electives: 7 credits
• Total Credits: 30

Sophomore

• ACT 210: Introduction to Financial Accounting
• ACT 220: Introduction to Managerial Accounting
• BUS 220: Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)
• CIS 240: Application Design and Development
• CIS 370: Analytics and AI in Business
• ECON 204: Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)
• STAT 204: Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)
• Biological and Physical Sciences: 3 credits
• Historical Perspectives: 3 credits
• Elective: 3 credits
• Total Credits: 30

Junior

• All freshman and sophomore required courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with first enrollment in required junior and senior courses.
• BUS 260: Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business
• CIS 320: Project Management for Information Systems
• CIS 355: Business Database Systems
• CIS 360: Systems Analysis and Design
• FIN 300: Principles of Finance
• Select 3 credits from the following: - BUS 300: Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) - JTC 300: Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) - JTC 301: Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)
• Select two courses from the following: - CIS 310: Data Preparation for Business Analytics - CIS 340: Advanced Application Design and Development - CIS 350: Operating Systems and Networks - CIS 410: Web Application Development - CIS 411: Enterprise Resource Planning Systems - CIS 413: Advanced Networking and Security - CIS 455: Advanced Database Management - CIS 563: Information Assurance and Security - CIS 575: Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business - CIS 576: Business Data Visualization
• Electives: 6 credits
• Total Credits: 30

Senior

• BUS 479: Strategic Management
• MGT 301: Supply Chain Management
• MGT 320: Contemporary Management Principles/Practices
• MKT 300: Marketing
• Select two courses from the following not taken in the junior year: - CIS 310: Data Preparation for Business Analytics - CIS 340: Advanced Application Design and Development - CIS 350: Operating Systems and Networks - CIS 410: Web Application Development - CIS 411: Enterprise Resource Planning Systems - CIS 413: Advanced Networking and Security - CIS 455: Advanced Database Management - CIS 563: Information Assurance and Security - CIS 575: Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business - CIS 576: Business Data Visualization
• Electives: 12 credits
• Total Credits: 30

Program Total Credits

The total credits required for the program are 120 credits. This course listing is provided through the Colorado State University catalog and is updated each summer. New or modified courses offered for spring or summer may not be included, but you can find complete course information via the class schedule on RAMweb. Offerings are subject to change and the University reserves the right to make changes in catalog information when necessary and to correct errors. Always consult with an academic advisor to stay informed of curriculum details.