Systems and Information Science
Program Directors:
David Dischiave, 225 Hinds Hall, 315-443-4681, ddischia@syr.edu
Robert J. Irwin, 4-206L-A Center for Science and Technology, 315-443- 4400, rjirwin@syr.edu
Faculty:
Thomas Barnard, Howard A. Blair, Tomislav Bujanovic, Stephen J. Chapin, Biao Chen, C.Y. Roger Chen, Shiu-Kai Chin, Jun Hwan (Brandon) Choi, Wenliang (Kevin) Du, Sara Eftekharnejad, Ehat Ercanli, Makan Fardad, James W. Fawcett, Prasanta Ghosh, Jennifer Graham, Mustafa Cenk Gursoy, Robert Irwin, Can Isik, Andrew Chung-Yeung Lee, Jay Kyoon Lee, Yingbin Liang, Duane L. Marcy, Kishan G. Mehrotra, Chilukuri K. Mohan, Jae C. Oh, Susan Older, Vir Phoha, Qinru Qiu, James S. Royer, Jeffrey Saltz, Tapan K. Sarkar, Fred Schlereth, Q. Wang Song, Sucheta Soundarajan, Jian Tang, Yuzhe (Richard) Tang, William C. Tetley, Pramod K. Varshney, Senem Velipasalar, Li Wang, Hong Wang, Yanzhi Wang, Heng Yin, Edmund Yu, Reza Zafarani
What is Systems and Information Science?
In essence, students in the SIS program learn what they can do with computers and how best to do it. As the name implies, the focus is on information and how it can be stored, manipulated and retrieved. Implementation of large-scale software systems and working with a group of people in achieving such goals are emphasized in the SIS program.
SIS at Syracuse University
Systems and Information Science (SIS) integrates software and systems knowledge with expertise in business enterprise environment. SIS majors gain hands-on experience in design-oriented laboratories and learn about the social, business and organizational aspects of digital information systems.
Curriculum:
The SIS program requires a total of 120 credits, as follows:
- 32 credits SIS Core
- 24 credits SIS Sequences
- 13 credits Mathematical Foundations
- 9 credits Communication Skills
- 39 credits Arts & Sciences
- 3 credits Free Electives
In the descriptions that follow, all courses are three credits unless otherwise indicated.
Information Management Core (9 credits)
Computing Core (20 credits)
II. Mathematical Foundations (13 credits)
III. SIS Sequences (24 Credits)
All SIS students must complete both a Short Technical Sequence (6 credits) and a Focus Area (18 credits).
The Technical Sequence requires a two-course sequence in one of several applied-technology areas: Database Management, Networking, Security Management, Systems, and Web Design and Management.
The Focus Area requires 18 credits in a specific domain, which represents a potential area for the application of a student’s informating management and computing skills.
Students may not count the same course towards both their Technical Sequence and their Focus Area.
For details of the Technical Sequence and the Focus Areas, please consult the SIS Program Directors.
IV. Communication Skills (9 credits)
The Communication Skills requirement provides both writing and presentation experience.
And one of the following:
V. Arts & Sciences (39 credits)
Students must take 39 credits of courses from the College of Arts & Sciences and/or the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Specifically, these credits must be distributed as follows:
- 6 credits Humanities
- 6 credits Social Sciences
- 6 credits Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- 21 credits of any courses from the above A&S divisions or VPA
Note:
- NYS Department of Education requires half of the credits for a B.S. degree to be in the liberal arts and sciences. These 39 credits-combined with the Communication Skills and Mathematical Foundations- exceed the necessary 60 credits.
- A student’s Focus Area (e.g., a minor in history) may contain courses that satisfy the NYS requirement for liberal-arts content. In such a case, the remaining credits become free electives.
VI. Free Electives (3 credits)
A student has 3 credits of free electives. Any course in the University can be used to satisfy this requirement.
Sample Four-Year Course Flow:
The following shows a fairly typical SIS undergraduate program for a student who arrives with no transfer credits. All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated.