Program Overview

University of Wisconsin-Madison Information Systems Program

The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a comprehensive Information Systems program, providing students with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of information systems. The program covers a wide range of topics, including database management, digital strategy, and systems analysis and design.

Course Offerings

The program includes the following courses:

• INFO SYS 322: Introduction to Databases (3 credits)
  • Introduction to database management systems with a focus on relational databases
  • Covers designing, creating, populating, managing, and retrieving data from databases
  • SQL will be used with a focus on querying for business applications and intelligence, data retrieval for summary reports, and data visualization
• INFO SYS 352: Digital Strategy (3 credits)
  • Focus on the economic and technical concepts behind emerging information systems
  • Industry cases covering platforms, online markets, artificial intelligence, and business analytics
• INFO SYS 365: Contemporary Topics (1-3 credits)
  • Exploration of subject areas possibly to be introduced into the business curriculum
• INFO SYS 371: Technology of Computer-Based Business Systems (3 credits)
  • Focus is on developing applications and business information systems on the web using a variety of programming languages and tools
• INFO SYS 423: Digital Platform Analytics (3 credits)
  • An introduction to data analysis procedures covering topics including: data collection, pre-processing, analysis, and presentation
• INFO SYS 424: Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
  • Applied principles and techniques of information systems development including requirements identification and analysis, process and data modeling, team communication and collaboration, and system testing
• INFO SYS/I SY E 722: Computer-Based Data Management (3 credits)
  • Use, control and administration of centralized and distributed data bases
• INFO SYS 723: Text Analytics and Business Application (3 credits)
  • An introduction to text mining and natural language processing for business applications
• INFO SYS 765: Contemporary Topics (1-3 credits)
  • Exploration of subject areas possibly to be introduced into the business curriculum

Learning Outcomes

The program is designed to help students achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Implement data modeling and relationships in relational database management systems
• Use Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) operations in SQL-like databases
• Query, create reports and use data visualization for business intelligence
• Identify how professionals use and interact with databases in the workplace
• Recognize emerging technologies in information systems and their underlying economic concepts
• Analyze industry examples of corporate strategies to best adopt, implement, maintain and grow investments in digitization
• Communicate the technical, social, and economic implications of digital technology investment effectively
• Identify and evaluate reliable information and data sources for advances in digital technologies
• Demonstrate principles of professional quality web page development and deployment
• Apply mechanisms of web page development including front end presentation, access control for an application back-end, and the management of information exchange
• Articulate how to use computer technologies to link business data and decision needs to web-based system design
• Recognize and apply fundamental data analysis procedures, including data collection, pre-processing, analysis, and presentation
• Analyze structured and unstructured data in a variety of contexts
• Develop supervised and unsupervised data mining skills, including linear regression, logistics regression, decision tree, KNN, K-means, and simple text mining techniques
• Evaluate data analysis frontiers, including recommendation systems, data ethics, privacy, and algorithm bias
• Demonstrate how to manage data, model information, and apply appropriate information technology to create effective business solutions
• Demonstrate how to use computer technologies to analyze business problems and processes
• Describe the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as a comprehensive project management framework for the analysis, design, and implementation of computer-based solutions
• Design and implement computer-based information systems which support business operations, decision-making, and planning
• Develop proficiency in project management and communication skills for the management of information systems

Requirements and Admission Criteria

The program has the following requirements and admission criteria:

• INFO SYS 322: No prerequisites
• INFO SYS 352: No prerequisites
• INFO SYS 365: Sophomore standing or declared in undergraduate Business Exchange program
• INFO SYS 371: COMP SCI 301 or 220
• INFO SYS 423: No prerequisites
• INFO SYS 424: INFO SYS 322 (422 prior to Fall 2023) and INFO SYS 371
• INFO SYS/I SY E 722: Graduate/professional standing and INFO SYS 371
• INFO SYS 723: Graduate/professional standing or declared in graduate Business Exchange program
• INFO SYS 765: Graduate/professional standing or declared in graduate Business Exchange program

Repeatable for Credit

The following courses are repeatable for credit:

• INFO SYS 365: Yes, unlimited number of completions
• INFO SYS 765: Yes, unlimited number of completions

Last Taught

The courses were last taught in the following semesters:

• INFO SYS 322: Fall 2025
• INFO SYS 352: Fall 2025
• INFO SYS 365: Fall 2025
• INFO SYS 371: Fall 2025
• INFO SYS 423: Spring 2025
• INFO SYS 424: Fall 2025
• INFO SYS/I SY E 722: Fall 2020
• INFO SYS 723: Spring 2025
• INFO SYS 765: Spring 2025