MIS Program Objectives

While preparing for a meeting with the MIS Advisory Committee, where we continue to improve and refine our programs, I pulled up a copy of the Master of Information Systems "Learning Objectives." This document consists of a short narrative paragraph describing the focus of the program, the expectations of incoming students, and the goals of coursework in the program. That paragraph is followed by a more detailed list of several specific objectives, ranging from technology development to teamwork.

This seems to be a fairly standard statement of program learning objectives. It is also the sort of statement that could be easy to lose sight of when considering possibilities for improving and expanding the program, reaching more people, offering more classes, and covering more topics. Consider the first sentence from the learning objectives:

"The MIS program provides preparation for the business student at the graduate level to master information systems technology and achieve success in their careers..." To focus in, just a little more: "... to master information systems technology..."

A master of woodworking must be able to visualize how components can be designed, formed, and assembled to create a product of exceptional quality, but must also be adept in the use jigs, routers, lathes, drills, and saws to achieve that vision.

A master of information systems must be able to visualize how processes, systems, and data can be integrated to solve difficult problems and generate significant value, but must also be adept in the use of technology to support business operations, model requirements, develop applications, analyze data, and improve decision-making to achieve that vision.

This is our shared vision, when we look at various ways to improve and expand the program. And this is the vision that brought us to where we are today, with a program that provides hands-on experience with some of the most widely used systems and technologies in modern business, cutting-edge curriculum delivered by world-class faculty, and practical application to solve real problems and provide real value.

Classes are Rolling

It's been a while since the last update, since preparing for the new cohort of MIS students and getting ready for classes has put blogging on a bit of a back burner. Well, classes are rolling now, and we have nearly 40 new graduate students this fall! The mix is roughly split between full-time MIS and part-time (Professional MIS and Certificate) students. We have so many great new students this semester that we are even experiencing a few growing pains... this is a wonderful challenge to have.

Most of our new students are taking Seminar in Systems Development and Data Management Systems in their first semester. Seminar in Systems Development explores modern challenges and opportunites in system analysis, design, and project management, and is taught by Dr. Viswanath Venkatesh. Data Management Systems takes a hands-on approach to learning how data is managed in modern organizations and how data can be turned into information for better and faster business decision making, and is taught by Dr. Paul Cronan.