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Information and Decision Systems
Good
business decisions require good information. The purpose of an information
system is to provide management with the information that is essential
to decision-making, and to assist in interpreting that information.
If you are interested in using information technology and the Internet to solve business problems and in devising new and more efficient solutions, then you should consider a major in information systems. The major is intended to prepare you for your first job in information systems, which is normally as a systems analyst. In that job, you will study problems, design solutions and implement those solutions using information technology. The major will also prepare you for continued growth as a manager in information systems.
Program Overview
Students develop a broad background of business knowledge in addition to studying systems analysis, database management systems, computer networking and data communications, computer programming, and a variety of information technologies.
Information Systems majors take courses in the IDS department, as well as in finance, marketing, and management. Specific electives are recommended for students depending on their interests and career goals.
All programs offered by the College of Business Administration are impacted programs. Find out more information regarding the impaction.
Special Features
- Information Systems Student Organiztion - The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) is a nationally-recognized organization consisting of both students and professionals alike. The association is meant to facilitate networking among those individuals involved with the information technology field, further enhancing their careers or career potential.
- American Production & Inventory Control Society [APICS]
- General Business Student Organizations - Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi are two of the Professional Business Fraternities offered to College of Business students.
- Business Honors Program - The program challenges students to integrate their Business education with material across the university and within the broader community. Students in the program build strong critical thinking skills and are challenged to apply those skills in a broad context.
- Business Advising Center - The mission of the Business Advising Center is to enhance the quality of the College's undergraduate program by providing information, counseling, and advising to current and prospective undergraduate students.
- A Board of Directors composed of stellar local and national business leaders provides direction to the College of Business Administration on a regular basis.
Faculty Highlights
The Information and Decision Systems Department is composed of approximately 16 full-time faculty members, all of whom hold doctoral degrees. They are nationally recognized in a variety of areas including business communication, information systems, statistics, operations research, supply chain management, and operations management. An exchange of knowledge is accomplished through outreach to local businesses and professional memberships in such organizations as the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Career Opportunities
The
employment outlook for information systems specialists is currently very
good. Positive projections continue into the future. Many graduates who
major in information systems assume the following positions:
- Systems analysts, who plan the activities necessary to solve a business problem by structuring the problem in logical form, identifying the data needed, and specifying the procedures to be followed in programming the data processing
- Web developers, who analyze needs and develop systems for the Internet, including e-commerce systems
- Information systems specialists, who represent various departments of a business in assuring that each department's information processing needs are provided effectively and efficiently
- Programmer/analysts, who plan and write computer programs to process business information
- Network administrators, who design, implement and maintain corporate computer networks
- Database administrators, who design, implement and manage corporate databases
- Computer center managers, who direct the work of information processing in a company
- Technical marketing specialists, who sell and coordinate the installation of computer systems
- End-user computer consultants will work directly with computer users in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and other areas, assisting them in the use of the computer to meet their particular needs and requirements in information collection and processing. They will also assist these groups in dealing with management to acquire the computer-related resources needed to increase the efficiency of their departments.
Typical places of employment for information systems graduates include large businesses, government agencies, computer manufacturers, financial institutions, consulting firms, high-tech companies, universities, and independent computer service organizations.
To further explore career options in this field, visit the Career Services Web site for more information.
General Catalog
You can view more complete information regarding the Information and Decision Systems program in the General Catalog. All students are responsible for reading and knowing the information pertinent to their areas of study available in the General Catalog. It contains requirements for all academic majors, course descriptions, policies, and regulations governing progress at the University. Catalogs are distributed at all Academic Orientation programs. To order a catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
IDS
Department
College of Business Administration
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-8234
Email: business@sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-5316
Fax: (619) 594-3675
Office location: Student Services East 2411
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm