Nov 22, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Information Systems, Business Analytics Concentration, B.B.A.


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Degree and Major Requirements


The B.B.A. in computer information systems requires a minimum of 120 credit hours of undergraduate work. Sixty credit hours will be taken outside the College of Business . In counting the 60 credit hours of non-business courses, B.B.A. students may include all hours taken in General Education  (usually 41), up to a total of nine hours in economics and three hours of COB 191. Business Analytics I . The remaining hours will be taken from any department outside the College of Business . Students should carefully select these courses to help them gain additional knowledge and expertise for their careers and personal lives.

Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • B.B.A. core courses 39 Credit Hours 1
  • CIS major requirements 27-28 Credit Hours
  • General Education courses 41 Credit Hours 2
  • Electives 12 Credit Hours 3

Total: 120 Credit Hours


Footnotes


1 Assumes that MATH 205 and ECON 200 are taken as General Education courses.
2 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
3 Credit hours may vary. See adviser for details.

Major Requirements


Students planning to major in Computer Information System (CIS) must complete the 27-28 hours of lower-division B.B.A. core curriculum prior to enrolling in upper-division core courses normally taken in the first semester of their junior year. It is expected that the lower-division core curriculum will be completed during the first two years of study along with most of the university general education curriculum. Failing to complete all the lower-division core requirements on time will delay enrollment in upper-division core and major courses.

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Required Concentration


Computer Information System majors must choose one of the following options to complete the required courses in the CIS major:

Option 1: Information Systems Concentration, complete five CIS core courses and five courses required for the concentration.

Option 2: Business Analytics Concentration, complete the five CIS core courses and four courses required in the concentration. (Admission to the BSAN program is limited and competitive. CIS majors interested in pursuing the BSAN concentration will have to submit an application for admission by October 1 in the pool with students applying for the BSAN minor. One cohort of BSAN students will be admitted each fall to start the BSAN courses in the spring).

Footnote


CS 149 or ISAT 252 or IA 241 with a grade of “C” or better or enrollment in CS 159 may be substituted for CIS 221.

B.B.A. Core Component


B.B.A. Lower-Level Core Component


B.B.A. majors must complete all of the B.B.A. core components as part of their degree program. The following courses comprise the B.B.A. Lower-Level Core Component:

Footnotes


1 MATH 220  may be substituted for COB 191 .
2 COB 191  or equivalent and MATH 205  or equivalent are prerequisites for COB 291 .
3 Calculus is required but not used in calculating the B.B.A. core GPA. MATH 235  is preferred for Finance majors. 
4 COB 241  must be taken before COB 242 .
5 COB 242  is a prerequisite for COB 300 but is not used in calculating the B.B.A. core GPA.
6 All four COB 300 courses must be taken during the same semester.
7 COB 300 is a prerequisite or corequisite for COB 318 . COB 318  is a prerequisite for COB 487 .
8 COB 487  must be taken during the senior year.

Business Analytics Concentration


Business analytics is a technical approach to analyzing problems and making business-related decisions. It uses statistical methods, management science techniques, machine learning and mathematical modeling to forecast the implications of various choices and identify the best alternatives. Business analytics focuses on the effective use of data and information to provide fact-based insights and drive positive business actions. Combined with the ability to analyze, design and implement information system, including applications and databases, the computer information systems major with a concentration in business analytics prepares students for careers in consulting, business analysis and data analysis.

Total: 12 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


To be eligible to apply for admission to the Business Analytics concentration of the Computer Information Systems major, students must have completed the following:

In addition, a student must be able to take the 300-level BSAN courses on a schedule of one per semester in a three-consecutive semester period.

A complete application to the Business Analytics concertation includes the following:

  • A completed BSAN concentration application form
  • A letter of recommendation from COB 291  instructor

Students may use transfer and/or college credits that have been accepted by JMU to meet competency requirements. Admission is based on an average of a student’s highest grades in one course from each competency area and the letter of recommendation. Only grades earned at JMU and verified by the registrar will be used; transfer transcripts will also be reviewed. More emphasis will be placed on grades than on the recommendation letter. Following review by the BSAN Admission Committee, students will be notified about their acceptance into the concentration. If accepted, students will be eligible to register for BSAN courses.

Recommended Schedule for Majors


Computer information systems majors should follow the course schedule described here to complete the final two years of their program. It is possible to deviate from this program, but care must be taken to ensure that all course prerequisites are met.

First Two Years


Students normally take the lower-division B.B.A. core curriculum along with many of the General Education  curriculum. All lower-division core requirements must be completed before enrolling in the upper-division core courses. It is recommended that CIS 221. Principles of Programming  be completed in the second semester of the second year.

Third Year *


First Semester


Students who are able to complete B.B.A. core requirements early enough to take COB 300 in the second semester of the second year should take additional CIS courses in the first semester of the third year and subsequent semesters. Consult your adviser.

Fourth Year *


Footnotes


* Consult your adviser regarding General Education  or non-business elective courses required for graduation which are not listed here.

1 COB 318  may be taken in other semesters, but it has to be taken before COB 487 .

2 COB 487  may be taken in the fall or spring of the senior year.

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