The bachelor of science with a major in information systems program focuses on the theory, organization, and process of information collection, transmission, and utilization in traditional and electronic forms. The program includes instruction in information classification and organization; information storage and processing; transmission, transfer, and signaling; communications and networking; systems planning and design; human interfacing and use analysis; database development; information policy analysis; and related aspects of hardware, software, economics, social factors, and capacity.

Students in the BS in information systems program learn to:

  • Analyze and apply knowledge of information systems technology (IST) body of knowledge to meet specific business requirement, specifically for the following:
    • System analysis and design (methodologies, techniques, and tools, including OO)
    • Database management, data warehousing
    • Programming
    • Web development
    • Web analytics
    • Strategic development in IST
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and oral presentations
  • Weigh the ethics and impact on society as a whole when making decisions
  • Think critically, analyze the facts, and make intelligent choices
  • Work effectively in a team, both as a member and a team leader, by actively participating in team activities, completing assigned tasks on time, helping other team members, and working towards a common goal

This is a STEM designated program.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: a minimum of 120 credits, including University General Education, pre-business, business core, and information systems major courses.

Students pursuing information systems as a second major should reference the information systems as a second major requirements section at the bottom of this page.

General education courses
UW 1020University Writing
6 credits taken in at least two writing in the disciplines (WID) courses in two or more separate semesters. 1
One critical analysis in the humanities course. 2
One scientific reasoning with laboratory course. 2
One course with an approved oral communication component. 2
Pre-business courses
BADM 1001
& BADM 1002		Business Leader Foundations I
and Business Leader Foundations II 3
or BADM 1003 Business Leader Foundations for Transfer Students
BADM 3001Business Leader Career Strategy
BADM 4001Business Leader Launch
STAT 1051Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics
or STAT 1053 Introduction to Statistics in Social Science
or STAT 1111 Business and Economic Statistics I
or DNSC 1001 Business Analytics I: Statistics for Descriptive and Predictive Analytics
or APSC 3115 Engineering Analysis III
STAT 2112Business and Economic Statistics II
or STAT 2118 Regression Analysis
or STAT 2123 Introduction to Econometrics
or DNSC 2001 Business Analytics II: Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics
or ECON 2123 Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 1011Principles of Economics I
ECON 1012Principles of Economics II
One of the following sequences in mathematics:
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232		Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
or MATH 1051
& MATH 1252		 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Management Sciences
and Calculus for the Social and Management Sciences
or MATH 1051
& MATH 1231		 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Management Sciences
and Single-Variable Calculus I
or MATH 1220
& MATH 1221
& MATH 1051		 Calculus with Precalculus I
and Calculus with Precalculus II
and Finite Mathematics for the Social and Management Sciences
or MATH 1220
& MATH 1221
& MATH 1232		 Calculus with Precalculus I
and Calculus with Precalculus II
and Single-Variable Calculus II
Business core courses
BADM 2301Management Information Systems Technology
Four courses selected from the following:
ACCY 2001Introduction to Financial Accounting
ACCY 2002Introductory Managerial Accounting
BADM 2001Markets and Politics
or BADM 2001W Markets and Politics
BADM 3103Human Capital in Organizations
BADM 3401Contemporary Marketing Management
or BADM 3401W Contemporary Marketing Management
BADM 3501Financial Management and Markets
BADM 3601Operations Management
BADM 4101Business Ethics and the Legal Environment
or BADM 4101W Business Ethics and the Legal Environment
BADM 4801Strategy Formulation and Implementation
IBUS 3001Introduction to International Business
Information systems major courses
ISTM 3119Introduction to Programming
ISTM 4120Business Systems Development
ISTM 4121Database Principles and Applications
ISTM 4205Web Applications Development
ISTM 4206Foundations of Information Systems Security and Ethics
ISTM 4209Foundations of Web Analytics
ISTM 4210Information Systems Capstone
Three courses selected from the following:
ISTM 4213Foundations of Cloud Applications
ISTM 4214Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
ISTM 4216Mobile Application Development
ISTM 4217Internet of Things Management
Electives
In general, students complete 40 credits in elective courses to reach the 120 credits required for the degree. 18 of those credits must be taken outside of GWSB. Elective courses may be applied to a GWSB concentration, a non-GWSB minor, or a GWSB or non-GWSB second major. See GWSB Undergraduate Regulations in this Bulletin for information regarding course restrictions.

1 Courses must be taken after completion of UW 1020  and in separate semesters.

2 See Undergraduate Education at GW for additional information regarding approved courses for this requirement.

3 First-year students take BADM 1001 and BADM 1002; transfer students take BADM 1003. 

Information systems as a second major

Students who are pursuing information systems as a second major are required to complete the following courses. Non-GWSB students may declare information systems as a second major directly with their home school advisor; a signature from a GWSB academic advisor is not required.

ISTM 3119Introduction to Programming
ISTM 4120Business Systems Development
ISTM 4121Database Principles and Applications
ISTM 4205Web Applications Development
ISTM 4206Foundations of Information Systems Security and Ethics
ISTM 4209Foundations of Web Analytics
ISTM 4210Information Systems Capstone
Three courses selected from the following:
ISTM 4213Foundations of Cloud Applications
ISTM 4214Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
ISTM 4216Mobile Application Development
ISTM 4217Internet of Things Management

Combined Program