Information Systems

major

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Information Systems (BSBA-IST) degree program provides a broad overview of the functional areas of business with an emphasis in information systems. Students take foundation courses in economics, mathematics, computing skills, and accounting; core courses that relate to the basic functions of business, such as finance, management, marketing, and operations management; and major courses that focus on the computing, quantitative, and application skills that are vital to a business problem-solving setting.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The primary mission of the Information Systems and Operations Management Department is a commitment to scholarly research, teaching and service to advance the state of knowledge in information systems and supply chain management and to train future leaders for professional and academic careers.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.9600 (tel) | 352.392.5438 (fax)

P.O. Box 117169
1454 Union Road
STUZIN HALL 351
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7169
Map

 Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Information Systems (IST_BSBA) degree program is designed for students who are interested in information systems, information technology and supply chain management. The information systems curriculum prepares students for positions as decision support specialists, information systems specialists and systems analysts. Graduates of this program can pursue graduate studies in information systems, operations management, supply chain management or business.

IST_BSBA majors are encouraged to gain practical work experience through internships, student organizations and community service. In addition, the Heavener School of Business offers students a wide variety of academic and career and leadership programs, including study abroad, the Florida Leadership Academy, involvement in student organizations and research activities. Students should consult an academic advisor/career coach for specific information.

Requirements for the Major

IST_BSBA majors must maintain a 2.0 core, major and UF GPA. Students must read the individual course descriptions in this catalog to determine the prerequisites for their required courses. In addition to the critical-tracking and General Education courses outlined below, IST-BSBA majors must take 120 credits, including:

Core Courses
BUL 4310The Legal Environment of Business4
FIN 3403Business Finance4
GEB 3373International Business4
MAN 3025Principles of Management4
MAN 4504Operations and Supply Chain Management4
MAR 3023Principles of Marketing4
QMB 3250Statistics for Business Decisions4
QMB 3302Foundations of Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (AI)4
Major Courses
ISM 3254Business Systems 12
ISM 3255Business Systems 22
ISM 4113Business Systems Design and Applications2
ISM 4210Database Management2
ISM 4220Business Data Communications 12
ISM 4330Information Systems and Operations Strategy2
QMB 4701Managerial Operations Analysis 12
QMB 4702Managerial Operations Analysis 22
Restricted Elective Courses
Any 3000/4000-level courses or 1000/4000-level foreign language courses. 17
Professional Communication Course
Select one:3
Professional Writing in Business
Professional Speaking in Business
Introduction to Public Speaking
Advanced Argumentative Writing
Or a similar course with prior approval (requires a minimum grade of C)
Career Readiness Requirement6
Students must complete the minimum number of required credits in all four phases, see requirement details below.
Total Credits64
1

Internship, externship, independent study or assistantship credit will not count toward this requirement.

Career Readiness Requirement

Heavener School majors in campus-based programs are required to complete 6 credit hours of professional development coursework. This sequence of course offerings is designed to help students explore careers in different business disciplines, build specific career competencies that are sought after by employers, give students an opportunity to apply their skills, and finally, to consolidate student’s prior learning and add leadership tools to launch them into their careers.

To complete the career readiness requirement, students must complete the minimum number of required credits in each of the four phases. 

Career Readiness Phases

Explore
1 required credit; select from:
GEB 2030
Exploring Careers in Business
GEB 2033
Career Accelerator for Business
Special Topics (Transfer Success)
Retail Management Seminar
Sales Seminar
Enrich
2 required credits; select from:
GEB 3225
Intermediate Topics in Management Communication
Undergraduate Research in Business
Apply
1 required credit; select from:
GEB 3941
Externship in Business
Internship in Business Administration
MAR 4941
Sales Internship
Retail Management Internship
Advance
2 required credits
GEB 4090
Leadership Launch

To satisfy the “Apply” phase, students must complete an internship or externship course. Students who choose to meet this requirement through the internship option must enroll in one of the internship courses and complete an internship of at least 150 hours before the start of the senior year. The internship requirement can be waived for students who participate in a study abroad experience of at least six weeks. Students who waive this requirement via study abroad are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship to improve their chances of obtaining full-time employment and/or admission to graduate programs or law school. Consult a Heavener academic and career advisor for more information. 

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

To remain on track for the BSBA-IST major, students must meet the critical-tracking criteria listed below. The critical-tracking GPA is calculated based on all attempts of the critical-tracking courses or their equivalents. After a student receives a minimum grade of C in a critical-tracking course or its equivalent, the student will not be allowed to repeat that course.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses for a total of 3 critical-tracking courses
  • 2.75 GPA on all attempts of critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses (including ACG 2021) for a total of 5 critical-tracking courses
  • 3.0 GPA on all attempts of critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete all 7 critical-tracking courses
  • 3.0 GPA on all attempts of critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Meet all semester 1-4 critical-tracking requirements
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • 2.0 Core GPA required
  • 2.0 Major GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • 2.0 Core GPA required
  • 2.0 Major GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • 2.0 Core GPA required
  • 2.0 Major GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 4
MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra (if needed; or elective) 3
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
 Credits13
Semester Two
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) 3
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 4
MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Diversity 3
 Credits16
Semester Three
ACG 2021 Introduction to Financial Accounting (Critical Tracking) 4
Select one: 3-4
Problem Solving Using Computer Software (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics)
Introduction to Information Systems (Critical Tracking)
Career Readiness Course (Explore Phase) 1
State Core Gen Ed Composition 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Elective 2
 Credits16-17
Semester Four
ACG 2071 Introduction to Managerial Accounting (Critical Tracking) 4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Select one professional communication course: 3
Professional Writing in Business
Professional Speaking in Business
Introduction to Public Speaking
Advanced Argumentative Writing
Career Readiness Course (Apply Phase) 1
Gen Ed International 3
Elective 1
 Credits15
Semester Five
MAN 3025 Principles of Management (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 4
QMB 3250 Statistics for Business Decisions 4
QMB 3302 Foundations of Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (AI) 4
QMB 4701 Managerial Operations Analysis 1 2
QMB 4702 Managerial Operations Analysis 2 2
Career Readiness Course (Enrich Phase) 1
 Credits17
Semester Six
FIN 3403 Business Finance 4
ISM 3254 Business Systems 1 2
ISM 3255 Business Systems 2 2
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing 4
Career Readiness Course (Enrich Phase) 1
 Credits13
Semester Seven
BUL 4310 The Legal Environment of Business 4
GEB 3373 International Business 4
ISM 4113 Business Systems Design and Applications 2
ISM 4210 Database Management 2
Restricted elective 4
 Credits16
Semester Eight
ISM 4220 Business Data Communications 1 2
ISM 4330 Information Systems and Operations Strategy 2
MAN 4504 Operations and Supply Chain Management 4
Career Readiness Course (Advance Phase) 2
Restricted elective 3
Elective 1
 Credits14
 Total Credits120

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration enables students to achieve foundational knowledge in economics, accounting, finance, management, marketing, business law, statistics, operations management, human resource management, information technology, and entrepreneurship. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the links between various business disciplines and the development of sound business plans. Students will be able to effectively analyze a business entity's strengths and weaknesses as well as investigate the opportunities and threats present in the business environment.

The information systems major covers computing, quantitative and application skills that can be used in a business problem-solving setting. Specific skill sets include database design, systems analysis and design, application of decisions support systems, and the application of information systems strategies.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Take the ETS Major Field Test in Business as part of MAN 4504. The ETS exam covers nine content areas in business. The score describes your performance relative to other seniors in business and accounting at 600+ colleges and universities (e.g., top 15% in the nation compared to your peers).
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by the faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of economics, financial accounting, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, business law, information technology, business statistics, and social responsibility.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of business-related software applications.
  3. Define the ethical responsibilities of business organizations and identify relevant ethical issues.
  4. Understand how the business environment, including culture, differs across countries.
  5. Possess awareness of cultural differences and how these differences affect business decisions.
  6. Identify characteristics and roles of groups and teams.
  7. Identify characteristics and roles of managers and leaders.
  8. Possess knowledge in an area of specialization outside the disciplines of business and accounting.

Critical Thinking

  1. Specify and implement a framework for identifying a business problem and develop alternative solutions and a set of evaluation criteria.
  2. Assess the outcomes of a course of action and make appropriate adjustments.

Communication

  1. Write business documents clearly, concisely, and analytically.
  2. Speak in groups and in public clearly, concisely, and analytically, with appropriate use of visual aids.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6 SLO 7 SLO 8 SLO 9 SLO 10 SLO 11 SLO 12
ACG 2021 I R R R
ACG 2071 I R R R
BUL 4310 I R, A
CGS 2531 I I
ECO 2013 I I I I
ECO 2023 I I I I
FIN 3403 I R R, A
GEB 3213 R, A
GEB 3218 I, A
GEB 3373 R R, A R, A R R
MAN 3025 I R I I I, A I, A R R
MAN 4504 I R, A R, A R R
MAR 3023 I R, A R, A I I
QMB 3250 I R, A R, A R, A
Specialization Area I, R, A R R R R
Senior Exam A A

Assessment Types

  • Exams, papers and presentations in major-specific courses and the following:
    BUL 4310The Legal Environment of Business4
    FIN 3403Business Finance4
    GEB 3373International Business4
    MAN 3025Principles of Management4
    MAN 4504Operations and Supply Chain Management4
    MAR 3023Principles of Marketing4
    QMB 3250Statistics for Business Decisions4
  • Writing and public speaking assignments in the following:
    FIN 3403Business Finance (writing)4
    GEB 3213Professional Writing in Business3
    GEB 3218Professional Speaking in Business3