BA Information Systems Concentration

Regulations effective September 1, 2015.

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Students of the BA concentration in Information Systems will gain a critical understanding of the social, cultural, political and economic implications of the use of information systems. In addition to gaining the skills of processing, using, and managing information, students will gain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Information Systems. Students wishing to specialize exclusively in Information Systems should consider enrolling in the BSc in Computing and Information Systems offered by the School of Computing and Information Systems. Courses in the BA Information Systems concentration comprise both computer science and business applications.

Information Systems is a rapidly changing field; consequently, it may not be possible to transfer credit for older courses and/or diplomas towards this degree. Athabasca University will not grant credit for computer science courses taken more than five years ago.

Holders of the BSc in Computing and Information Systems from Athabasca University, or its equivalent from another university, may not enrol in the BA (Information Systems).

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

• four-year BA Information Systems Major
• four-year BSc in Computing and Information Systems
• four-year BSc in Computing and Information Systems, Post Diploma

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 3-year BA with Concentration:

1. A minimum of 42 credits in concentration courses including a minimum of 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits.
2. 24 credits in the following designated Information Systems concentration core courses:

   CMIS 245	Microcomputer Applications in Business I (Windows)	(3)
   COMP 200	Introduction to Computing and Information Systems	(3)
   COMP 268	Introduction to Computer Programming (Java)	(3)
   COMP 314	Operating Systems or	(3)
   COMP 325	Unix Operating System – Principles and Administration
   COMP 361	Systems Analysis and Design	(3)
   COMP 378	Introduction to Database Management	(3)
   INFS 200	Information Seeking and Society in the Information Age	(3)
   SOCI 460	The Sociology of Information Technology	(3)

3. A minimum of 18 credits in the following designated Information Systems concentration elective courses:

   a. 3 senior (300 or 400) level COMP or CMIS courses (with a maximum of 6 credits in CMIS courses)	(9)
   b. 3 senior (400) level COMP courses	(9)

4. A minimum of 54 credits in Arts (Humanities and Social Science) courses including INFS 200 and SOCI 460. This requirement replaces the normal requirement of 66 credits in Arts courses included in the general regulations for the 3-year BA with concentration. This change is required to accommodate the large number of credits in Science-area courses required by this concentration. For this reason the stipulation of a maximum of 18 credits in the Science area of study is also waived.