Chair's Message

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Computer Information Systems at UNA! Our programs provide state-of-the-art educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Through our two options for undergraduate majors, students are prepared for a wide range of careers in computing fields and as knowledge workers and teachers. Through our minor programs of study, students in many diverse disciplines are prepared to use technology effectively to enhance career opportunities. Our graduate information systems concentration is designed to provide business, government and education leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to guide their organizations in decisions relating to the development and deployment of appropriate and effective technologies.

As UNA students proceed through their chosen degree programs, many questions arise concerning course selections and career paths. Our advisor system is designed to assist students in answering these questions. All UNA students have a major advisor who is available to review a student's program of study and registration plans each semester. Prior to registration, each student must see an advisor for this purpose, after which the advisor will remove the "advisor hold" and allow the student to proceed through the registration process. Current students may learn who their assigned advisor is through the UNA Portal or by checking the CIS advisor list.

Students are encouraged to utilize another UNA Portal tool--the degree audit--as an aid in the course selection process. This important tool will help students efficiently schedule classes which will fulfill graduation requirements, thereby avoiding senior year "surprises." Another useful tool for course sequencing and planning is the four year plan for your major. Use this tool as a mechanism for tracking your progress. Finally, our prerequisite chart will be helpful to students in planning course sequences, so that all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled, giving the student a better educational experience and higher likelihood of timely graduation.

Best wishes,

Dr. Paulette Alexander
Chair, Department of Computer Information Systems
211 Keller Hall
UNA Box 5076
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama 35632-0001
E-mail: psalexander@una.edu
Phone: (256)765-4324 Fax: (256)765-4811

Option I: Enterprise Information Systems

The Enterprise Information Systems option is designed to prepare students for work in development of large scale computer systems. In addition to programming in the most current programming languages, students will study database systems and communication systems.

Requirements for major in CIS - Enterprise Information Systems

Course	Credit
CIS 225 Introduction to Programming with Visual BASIC.NET	3
CIS 236 Information Systems in Organizations	3
CIS 315 Advanced Object Oriented Programming	3
CIS 330 Systems Analysis and Design	3
CIS 366 Database Development and Management	3
CIS 376 Web Development	3
CIS 406 Data Communications	3
CIS 445 Advanced Database Management Systems	3
CIS 466 E-Business Technologies and Applications	3
CIS 486 Projects in Information Systems	3
Total	30

Option II: End User Computing Systems

The End-User Computing Systems option is designed to prepare students to work in small business environments and in individual departments of large organizations, and to provide help desk and technical support to users of systems in large organizations. Students will gain skills associated with widely used software application packages, an understanding of how these tools benefit organizations, and how they interface with other systems in the organization.

Requirements for major in CIS - End User Computing Systems

Course	Credit
CIS 225 Introduction to Programming with Visual BASIC.NET	3
CIS 236 Information Systems in Organizations	3
CIS 330 Systems Analysis and Design	3
CIS 366 Database Development and Management	3
CIS 350 Multimedia in Business Reports and Meetings	3
CIS 376 Web Development	3
CIS 406 Data Communications	3
CIS 446 Decision Support Using Spreadsheets	3
CIS 456 Desktop and Web Publishing for Business	3
CIS 486 Projects in Information Systems	3
Total	30

Education Option: Business and Marketing Education

This major is a joint program operated with the UNA College of Education and it trains business and marketing teachers for careers in teaching middle school and high school students.

Course Description, Four Year Plan and Prerequisite Chart

• Course Descriptions [new window]
• Four Year Plan [.doc new window]
• Four Year Plan for Alabama Community College Transfers [.doc new window]
• Four Year Plan for Northeast Mississippi Community College Transfers [.doc new window]
• Prerequisite Chart [.jpg new window]

Requirements for a Minor in Computer Information Systems

Effective beginning with 2006-2007 catalog (18 semester hours)

Pre-2006 Curriculum Information

• Course Descriptions [ new window]
• Major in CIS [ new window]
• Minor in CIS [ new window]
• Minor in Business Technology Management [ new window]
• Core Business Requirements [ new window]
• Four Year Plan - CIS Applied Micro Systems Design Major (Option 2) [ new window]
• Four Year Plan - CIS Business Technology Management Major (Option 3) [ new window]

How to Find Your Advisor

Students can find their advisors by signing on the UNA Portal, clicking the Student Services tab, clicking the Student Records, and finally clicking Advisor.