IST Curriculum

Information Systems Technologies is a baccalaureate degree major designed to prepare students for careers in a wide variety of work settings that rely on end-user computerized information technologies to accomplish organizational goals at the school's level. The curriculum recognizes that end users must have good computer application skills as well as an understanding of the principles of organizations and systems, including an awareness of technological, economic, political, social, and cultural factors. Many courses require significant hands-on computer activities related to applications software, networking communications, and computer troubleshooting and maintenance. Students may also choose five courses from an approved list to reflect their personal interests in Information Systems Technologies.

Significant computer resources are available to student in this program for instructional purposes and for completion of assignments. The courses are based on a nationally recognized model curriculum, Organizational and End-User Information Systems by the Technologies Solutions to Business (OSRA). Graduates of this program will meet the continuing needs of business and industry for personnel to use computer systems technologies within organizations utilizing end-user information systems. They will be able to supervise the planning and implementation of information systems in work/office environments, and deal with people, and procedures and equipment resources of companies in this country or abroad. Students entering the Information Systems Technologies degree must be able to keyboard at a competency level adequate enough to complete a variety of computer related tasks and assignments (generally considered at 30 wpm or above). The Capstone Option is available to qualified students entering these programs. More information about The Capstone Option can be found in Chapter 3 of the Undergraduate Catalog.

The Information Systems Technologies program has signed a number of Program Articulation Agreements with computer/word/information processing-related community college degree programs in order to facilitate the transfer of community college students to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. These agreements take full advantage of The Capstone Option for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Technologies. The colleges with which Southern Illinois University Carbondale has signed such an agreement include: Belleville Area College (IL), Shawnee Community College (IL), John A. Logan College (IL), Rend Lake College (IL), Southeastern Illinois College (IL), Kaskaskia College (IL), Lewis and Clark Community College (IL), Vincennes College (IN), Frontier Community College (IL), Lincoln Trail College (IL), Wabash Valley College (IL), and Olney Central College (IL). Agreements with Lake Land College, Rock Valley College, and other schools are pending. If you have questions about how these agreements apply to your personal situation, contact the school's program representative or contact the academic advisor in Information Systems Technologies at (618) 453-7200 or http://www.siu.edu/~isat/.

Proposed Requirements and Brief Descriptions