Program Purpose

---

The Information Systems undergraduate program equips future managers to excel as technology-savvy business leaders. Modern information-systems practice now spans two interconnected domains:

1. Digital & AI-Enabled Enterprise Management – acquiring, deploying, and governing the cloud, data, and AI platforms that power an organization's products and services.

2. Solution Engineering & Lifecycle Management – designing, building, and continuously improving the software, data pipelines, and cyber-secure infrastructure that embed analytics and automation into every business process.

BSIS graduates are taught a diverse and integrated skill set that spans interpersonal, business, and technological domains. They must have a strong understanding of business processes, digital strategy, and organizational dynamics, enabling them to align technology solutions with business goals. Effective communication is essential-they are expected to deliver clear, impactful presentations and produce high-quality written documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.

In addition to these core competencies, BSIS graduates possess advanced technical expertise in areas such as database management, cloud computing, networking and cybersecurity, systems analysis and design, software development, data analytics, and IT project management. This combination of strategic insight, technical proficiency, and communication skills prepares them to lead and innovate in today's data-driven, AI-enhanced business environment.

Information Systems graduates are in demand across organizations of all sizes and industries-from global enterprises and government agencies to startups and nonprofits. They play a vital role in designing, implementing, and maintaining the digital infrastructure that powers modern business operations. More than just technical experts, they often act as strategic liaisons between business leaders and IT teams, translating organizational needs into effective, data-driven technology solutions.

Career opportunities span a wide spectrum, including roles in consulting firms, accounting and financial services, healthcare systems, tech companies, and public sector organizations. Whether focused on people-oriented roles like business analysis and digital transformation consulting, or more technical paths such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data architecture, or network administration, BSIS graduates are prepared to lead and adapt in a rapidly evolving, AI-enabled economy.

Aligned with the missions of Brigham Young University and the BYU Marriott School of Business, the BSIS program is dedicated to helping students become leaders of faith, integrity, and professional excellence. We support students in their pursuit of lifelong learning, personal growth, and eternal progression by cultivating the spiritual, intellectual, and technical capacities needed to thrive in a dynamic, global economy.

Our program reflects BYU Marriott's commitment to developing disciples of Jesus Christ who are prepared to lead with moral courage and meaningful impact. We strive to:

• Deliver a rigorous, well-rounded education in both business principles and information systems technologies

• Attract and mentor high-caliber students committed to faith and excellence

• Cultivate leadership grounded in service, humility, and adaptability

• Prepare graduates for impactful, values-driven careers in the digital and AI-enabled workplace

• Foster a mindset of continual learning, innovation, and improvement throughout life

Through this mission, we aim to develop principled leaders who bless organizations, communities, and the world.

We believe that true career readiness requires a strong foundation in both business and technical skills. To ensure our students are competitive in today's fast-paced and evolving workplace, we go beyond traditional coursework by integrating "expanded competencies" that mirror real-world professional challenges. Our curriculum includes targeted projects and experiences designed to develop essential soft skills-such as clear oral and written communication, effective teamwork, the ability to perform under pressure, and the interpersonal acumen critical for leadership success.

Given the rapid pace of innovation in the field of information systems, we also emphasize the importance of self-directed, lifelong learning. Rather than simply teaching current tools and technologies, we focus on helping students learn how to learn-equipping them to continuously adapt, grow, and lead as new technologies and business needs emerge throughout their careers.

Curricular Structure

BSIS students must satisfy university requirements for a BS degree (120 credit hours minimum, with specific hours in general education, religious education, and so forth). Additionally, BSIS students must complete 64 credit hours within the Information Systems program:

• a 10-hour pre-admission core of information systems (7), and accounting (3),
• 15 hours of preparatory classes in statistics (3), economics (3), marketing management (3), financial management (3), and management communications (3),
• a 24-hour core of information systems classes, which includes a project management course acting as the capstone Information Systems project,
• a 12-hour management core of ethics, organizational effectiveness, supply chain, and strategy,
• and 3 additional hours of an Information Systems elective (3).

Students take 27 hours of information systems classes. Prior to admission, applicants take 7 hours of introductory information systems courses. In the junior year, admitted BSIS students take 24 hours over 2 semesters in an integrated core format. These courses include systems analysis and design, database systems, principles of business programming, data communications, machine learning, enterprise application development, security processes and controls, predictive data analytics, along with two INTEX experiences providing a capstone project.

A major activity in our junior-year core is the Integrative Exercises (INTEX). In the Fall Integrative Exercise, held for one week near the end of the fall semester, the students integrate and extend the principles they will use in the workplace. Students are organized into teams, given a substantial information systems task, and must present their project results orally and in written format. This is all done under significant time pressure, simulating an effective "real-world" project. A second Integrative Exercise (INTEX) is completed and the end of the winter semester where students build a system based upon requirements and present to industry experts. Along with INTEX each semester, a project management course provide a capstone course project which provides the students with a third Integrative Exercise. In the INTEX projects, a complete information system is built from scratch based upon a client's requirements or needs.

Given the dynamic nature of the information systems field, we strongly encourage our students to participate in the Association for Information Systems student club. It adds significant benefit to student members through current-topics seminars, national competitions, and other resume-building activities.
 

Undergraduate Application Requirements
Admitted applicants to the information systems program begin major coursework each fall semester.  The following items are taken into consideration for all applicants during the admission process:

1. Average GPA of prerequisite courses and cumulative GPA.
2. Review of academic transcript.
3. Applicant video.
4. Student Resume.
5. Comments from Information Systems professors.

Application Guidelines

1. Completion of the following prerequisite courses: IS 110, IS 201, IS 303 (or CS 111), and ACC 200.  Note: A minimum 3.0 average GPA in the prerequisite courses is desired, with no less than a B- grade in IS 201 and IS 303 (or CS 111).
2. Repeating courses to improve a grade is strongly discouraged.  Repeated and transfer courses are discounted 0.3 of a grade for admission purposes only (e.g. an A- grade would be discounted to a B during the admission process).
3. Completion and submission of the online application, including the applicant essay.  The deadline to submit the application is the last working day of June at 4:30pm.
4. Meeting or exceeding admission criteria does not guarantee admission.  The Information Systems department reserves the right to make exceptions to admission policies as deemed necessary to admit the most qualified applicants.

Major Requirements

1. No more than 12 semester hours of upper-division transfer credit will be accepted toward the major and only 6 hours beyond the Pre-Systems Core.
2. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses outside the Marriott School of Business. Only 50 upper-division BYU Marriott hours count toward graduation.
3. Pass a computer proficiency requirement for spreadsheet skills. Students may demonstrate spreadsheet skills either by earning a Pass grade in IS 110 or a B grade in equivalent transfer courses. 
4. Complete the following courses: Acc 200, IS 110, IS 201, and IS 303.  NOTE: The pre-Information Systems Core must be completed with at least a 3.0 GPA ( a grade of B or better is required in IS 201 and IS 303), with no more than one repeat for each course.  Repeated and transfer courses will be discounted 0.3 of a grade during the admissions process.  Meeting or exceeding admission criteria does not guarantee admission.
5. Apply and be formally accepted into the program.
6. Complete the following required courses: Fin 201, Mktg 201, Stat 121, Econ 110, and M Com 320.  
7. Complete the following Information Systems Core 1 courses (taught fall only): IS 402, IS 403, IS 404, IS 415.
8. Complete the following Information Systems Core 2 courses (taught winter only): IS 401, IS 413, IS 414, IS 455.
9. Complete the following Integrated Management Core courses: IS Elective, GSCM 305, GSCM 310, HRM 391, MSB 390, and STRAT 392.
10. Complete BYU Marriott exit survey online.

Links

Catalog Information

Major Academic Plan

Learning Outcomes

---

1. Gain a Knowledge of Information Systems and Business

Program graduates will apply knowledge of information systems as well as general business to bridge the gap between technical and business personel. 

Even in a tough economy and with some companies putting a hold in internships, BSIS graduates are mostly being placed in well paid jobs because they are technically prepared to be a successful addition to businesses. Faculty continually monitor and update curriculum to meet industry needs.

2. Create and Manage Organizational Technical Functions

Acquire, deploy, maintain, and manage, information technology systems, infrastructure, security, resources, and services. Students are well ahead of other Information Systems graduates around the work in regards to business skills and technical skills. Curriculum is constantly revised, teamwork is always improved, and students are having more opportunities to be mentored.

3. Make Informed Business and Technical Decisions

Graduates will be able to make informed business and technical decisions and solve unstructured problems in a rapidly changing environment. Our BSIS is a top 10 ranked program in some rankings. Almost every single BSIS is being placed and salaries at approx 75K a year. Graduates are also moving into management positions within their organizations.

The program continues to be well ranked and valued by academic peers and industry.

4. Develop Lifelong Learning Skills

Graduates will be prepared to pursue lifelong learning. More and more students are focused on continued learning with more students even pursuing a PhD after the MISM and BSIS.

A large number of students either complete the MISM after the BSIS or apply for other graduate programs around the nation.

Evidence of Learning

---

Evidence of Learning

1. One-on-one faculty mentoring, advisement, and interviews.
2. One-on-one faculty and staff mentoring in Information Systems labs
3. Program applications after students have completed their pre-major course work.

Direct Measures

1. Instructor assessment at the course level. This includes: written quizzes, written exams, project evaluations, research papers, skill proficiency exams, homework that strengthens student skill development, student self-assessment and peer reviews
2. An evidence room with various examples of student exams, quizzes, projects (including INTEX 1 and 2), assignments, and papers and what is an A, B, and C grade
3. Success of student groups at national competitions, and on a national assessment exam given to IS students on the 2002 model Information Systems curriculum
4. Placement of students in positions related to their degrees
5. Evaluations by fellow group members
6. Video tapes of student presentations
7. Placement of students in graduate degrees
8. External assessment of student skills through participation in various regional and national competitions

Indirect Measures

1. Exit surveys
2. Student Evaluations
3. Focus Groups
4. Alumni surveys and placement data
5. Recruiter surveys
6. Evaluations from internship providers on preparation and abilities of students

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

---

The Core Director continually monitors the BSIS program and related issues. After each semester, the Directory brings relevant information to the information systems curriculum committee which meets regularly throughout the year to consider adjustments to the program. The information systems curriculum committee monitors assessment information at least twice annually. Plans for improvement are discussed among the curriculum committee members and monitored by the Committee Chair. The recommendations are then submitted to the Department Chair to ensures that there is follow-through on all action items.

The college curriculum committee is viewed as an integral participant in the curriculum development process. The Associate Chair sits on the college curriculum committee and attends monthly or bi-monthly college meetings throughout the year to coordinate efforts and ensure alignment of information systems activities with college standards and goals. Students evaluate courses and faculty teaching through the standard university process. Faculty evaluate their peers, considering both teaching methods and course content. Faculty self-evaluate their teaching performance each year and report their assessments to the department and college. A department committee evaluates the teaching of faculty yearly. The evaluation process is monitored by our department Chair, who shares results of these evaluations with the faculty. The college oversees the process.

Recruiters offer suggestions to the program on a regular basis. The information systems group meets periodically throughout the year to study placement data, student feedback, and other measures of program effectiveness. The entire department meets annually to discuss program feedback. Some of our faculty are involved in a national effort to establish information systems certification standards associated with the Institute for Certified Computing Professionals. We have participated in pilot certification exams and have found that our students are clearly above the average in the national pilot study.