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MIS Undergraduate Advising FAQsQ: I hear there is a new curriculum. Can you tell me about it? A: Sure. Beginning Fall 2006, CGS 3406 and CGS 3416 are no longer required. Instead, a course in project management and an elective course will be required. The elective course must come from the following list of approved courses. Notice that CGS 3406 and CGS 3416 are on that list, in case you want to add one of those programming courses to your curriculum.
Q: Who do I turn to for advising? A: That depends. If you have questions about non-MIS requirements (for example, about general business courses that you took at another university and want to transfer to FSU for credit), then you should go to the advisors in RBB 328. If you have questions about the MIS major, you should see the MIS undergraduate advisor, Prof. Paradice. His office is RBA 325. Q: Can I take two programming classes at the same time? A: We strongly encourage you to take no more than one programming course at a time. The work-load with two programming courses in the same semester can be too much. Q: Is it true that a D in CGS 4406 is sufficient to satisfy this requirement? A: No. ALL required ISM courses must be passed with a C- or better. Q: The programming requirements changed effective Fall 2004, but I've already taken some of the courses. What should I take next? A: This is a tough one to answer in just a few words, but here are some general guidelines. If you never took the COBOL course, just take the Internet Technology course (CGS 3066) instead. If the only course you have taken is COBOL, then take the new C++ course next, then take the new Java course, then finish with VB. If you've already had COBOL and C (but not C++ or VB), you can just finish with the old programming requirements by taking C++ (CGS 3406) OR CGS 3416 and VB (CGS 4404). If you've already taken everything except VB, just take VB (CGS 4404). Of course, you can always take the Internet Technology course if you are willing to have 3 additional hours in your program of study. Q: Is it true that I can take courses anywhere? A: Generally, no. FSU requires that the last 60 hours of course work be completed at FSU. The MIS department further requires that all required MIS courses must be completed at FSU. However, in extreme circumstances, you may be allowed to take a course at another 4 year, AACSB accredited university. However, if it is a required MIS course, you must have completed the course at FSU at least once. (In other words, you took it here but failed to make the minimum C- grade or better.) Q: I am not an MIS major but would like to learn about COBOL [or Visual Basic]. May I enroll in these courses? A: No. Required ISM courses are reserved for MIS majors enrolled in the College of Business. Q: I am not an MIS major but would like to learn about object-oriented programming. Can I enroll in CGS3408 (or CSG4406)? A: Yes. Non-majors can take both CGS3406 (C++ programming) and CGS3416 (Java programming). Q: What's the difference between CS, IS, and MIS? What is the difference in graduates and starting jobs? A: Information Studies, MIS, and Computer Science graduates may end up competing for the same starting positions; there are a lot of similarities in the coverage of the three programs. The distinctions may be viewed as ones of emphasis: CS emphasizes programming and efficiency/effectiveness in computation approaches; IS emphasizes the needs of the information user and management of the information resource of the organization; MIS emphasizes systems to make the organization more efficient and effective. It may be helpful to remember that CS came out of mathematics (so there is a strong flavor of science and math), IS came out of library science (hence the emphasis on the user), and MIS came out of management (thus an emphasis on business processes). A short discussion of the optional majors (prepared by the CS department but with input from MIS and IS) can be found here. CS graduates tend to be much more experienced with programming and software development skills than MIS graduates, especially with respect to low-level programming such as at the operating system level. IS students graduate with more "hands on" and practical experience (e.g., in setting up networks and preparing web sites) that has immediate value to employers than MIS graduates. MIS graduates have more people skills and teamwork experience than CS grads and a broader business perspective than IS grads, so they tend to move into positions where they are managing the design and development of systems solutions for companies faster than the other majors. Q: Is it feasible to get a minor in Computer Science? What is required? A: Yes. The requirements are posted here. Q: I am a sophomore (or a freshman) and want to be an MIS major. What courses should I take now? A: First review the requirements as shown on the web site [click here]. Next, stop by the College of Business Advising Center (RBB 328) to discuss any questions regarding non-ISM courses. Finally, if you still have questions that are not answered in these two steps, you can email the MIS Department Assistant, Ms. Lucio-Walker. She will try to get an answer for you. Q: When can I start taking ISM courses? A: When you declare an MIS major. This is done at the CoB Advising Office, RBB 328. Q: When can I declare MIS as a major? A: You may declare the MIS major as soon as you have satisfied the admission requirements for this major. The admission requirements for MIS majors are the same as the admission requirements for all business majors [click here to review]. Q: The class I want to take is full. A: Keep trying to get in. People drop courses all the time and space may become available. If all else fails and you need a particular course to graduate, contact Ms. Lucio-Walker in the MIS Office. Q: Are ISM courses going to be offered during summer? A: We hope to offer one or more sections of all courses during summer. Q: I cannot get into an elective course this semester. This is my last semester before graduation. A: Explain your situation to the department chair of the department offering the course. If you still are unable to enroll in the desired course, see an advisor in the College of Business Advising Center. Q: What about getting a job? A: There are many things you can do to help yourself get a job after graduation. Here are a few:
Q: I'm confused--what is the difference between IMS, MIS, and ISM? A: It's not surprising. IMS was the old department name: Information and Management Sciences. You shouldn't see it anymore unless you have out-dated materials. MIS is the major and is also now the department name: Management Information Systems. ISM is the statewide course prefix for all courses in Information Systems Management. |
Location & Hours
850/644-5508