Program Overview

Master's of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)

MSIS Overview

The MSIS Program is a master's degree combining computer science courses at Courant (Graduate School of Arts and Science) and business courses at the Stern School of Business. Given today's ubiquitous computing, organizations have a critical need for people who understand, in depth, both computers and business. Many influential technology leaders today are those with deep expertise in technology and business strategy. Successful new technology products and information systems always combine technical quality and smart business strategy. Developing these systems requires extensive communications among technical developers, business managers, and users.

The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program focuses on training students in the core concepts of computing and business so graduates can develop successful careers in management positions that require deep technical skills.

Career Opportunities

MSIS graduates have excelled in the following careers:

• At software vendors:
  • Product manager
  • Requirements analyst
  • Programming team leader
• In Information Technology (IT) departments:
  • CIO
  • VP IT operations
  • Systems architect
  • Internal requirements analyst
  • Development team leader
• At consulting companies:
  • Strategic technology consultant

Program Structure

MSIS students draw from the same courses as Courant GSAS Computer Science graduate students and Stern MBA students. The MSIS program offers the academic equivalent of an abbreviated combined Computer Science Master's and MBA degree.

Financial Aid

Requirements

Overview

The MSIS degree requires 13 courses, of which half are from the Stern School of Business while the other half are from Computer Science. In addition, students are required to take the Information Technology Project course, which offers students real-world experience solving IT solutions to business problems via participation in a set of team projects at local corporations, non-profits, and government agencies. Apart from course requirements, students must also maintain good standing by sustaining a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 (B) each semester.

Sample Courses

Below is an incomplete list of classes that MSIS students typically take:

Stern Business School Courses

• COR1-GB.1302 Leadership in Organizations
• COR1-GB.1303 Firms and Markets
• COR1-GB.1305 Statistics & Data Analysis
• COR1-GB.1306 Financial Accounting & Reporting
• COR1-GB.2310 Marketing
• COR1-GB.2311 Foundations of Finance
• COR1-GB.2314 Operations Management
• INFO-GB.2350 Robo Advisors & Systematic Trading
• INFO-GB.3322 Design and Development of Web and Mobile Applications
• INFO-GB.3336 Data Mining for Business Analytics
• INFO-GB.2346 Dealing with Data
• INFO-GB.3350 Financial Information Systems

Computer Science Courses

• CSCI-GA 1170 Fundamental Algorithms
• CSCI-GA 2262 Data Communications and Networks
• CSCI-GA 2250 Operating Systems
• CSCI-GA 2433 Database Systems
• CSCI-GA.3812 Information Technology Projects
• CSCI-GA.3210 Introduction to Cryptography
• CSCI-GA.2590 Natural Language Processing
• CSCI-GA.2631 Distributed Computing