Newly approved masters program is gaining popularity among students
Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) offers students a new area of study in an industry that is growing in demand.
The David Eccles School of Business is offering a new Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program beginning fall semester 2009 and it is quickly gaining popularity among prospective students. The program was developed to meet increasing demands from both industry and students looking for advanced education in Information Technology.
Although the MSIS program was only approved last week by the Utah Board of Regents, the pool of applicants for the program is already very competitive. Dr. Randy Boyle, the Director of the new MSIS program, said “We have some of the best students in the nation applying for our program, many of which are undergraduate students of the University of Utah.”
The Business School’s MSIS Program differs from other technology degrees offered at the University of Utah because the main subject matter will focus on the application of technology in the business environment. Where the University’s School of Computing focuses on generating new technology, the MSIS program is focused on how to add value to businesses by leveraging existing technology.
“MSIS students can be confident that they will graduate with a degree that qualifies them for high-level positions that are both well-paid and in high demand,” said Dr. Boyle. The courses students will take on their way to an MSIS degree include E- Commerce, Database Theory and Design, Data Mining, Data Analysis & Decision Making and Management Information Systems.
Looking forward, Dr. Boyle and his colleagues have begun establishing corporate partnerships with several large IT companies to help with teaching, research, and job placement for Information Systems students. He said, “We are working on creating a strong University of Utah alumni network for our MSIS graduates.”
In preparation for the new program, the David Eccles School of Business hired three new Operations and Information Systems (OIS) faculty members in 2008. The new faculty members bring expertise in the areas of information systems economics, IT auditing and emerging web technologies. The OIS department also features an Information Systems Undergraduate Degree, which is growing quickly and has gained significant popularity among business school students.
The MSIS Program is now accepting applications for fall semester 2009. William Hesterly, Associate Dean of the David Eccles School of Business, said “I expect an exceptionally fast start for the MSIS program; I will not be surprised to see the program exceed the first year goal of 25 enrolled students.” Students are encouraged to submit applications for the program by March 1, 2009; applications will be accepted until mid-June.
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