Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Information Systems
Overview
Create Your Future in Business and Technology
Grand Canyon University's Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Information Systems degree program examines the fundamentals of business information systems and technology, including programming, principles of database management, networking, IT project management and ethical considerations related to IT governance. The BS in applied information systems program is designed for individuals who have a business mindset and propensity toward information systems technology.
Gain database, programming and system administration skills, as well as skills related to leveraging information systems to help organizations achieve success. This applied information systems degree is designed to build upon an existing foundation of selected areas of business, including accounting, finance, marketing and management. Skills developed in this program include computer, technical, problem-solving, strong work ethic and critical thinking skills.
This transfer-friendly degree program is designed for students who have an associate degree or accumulated number of undergraduate credits with the intent to complete a bachelor's degree.
Degree Outcomes
Support the Success of Business Organizations
The goal of the business information systems degree program is to enable you to merge core business knowledge with a cadre of technology skills to support the use of information technology in organizations, thus providing organizations with a competitive advantage. Selected lab courses reinforce and expand learning principles introduced in classroom lecture sessions, which provides you with hands-on experience in software and enterprise applications used in real-world, professional settings. Hands-on activities focus on programming, databases and systems administration and maintenance.
The BS in applied business information systems degree program introduces you to computer science and information technology by providing a foundation for programming and problem solving using computer programming. The curriculum continues with fundamentals of networks and networking in IT, system administration and maintenance as well as platform technologies. You also engage in the business side, including business statistics, object-oriented programming for business and IT project management.
What You Will Learn
Explore the Study of Database, Programming and System Administration
Course topics include:
- Design, development, implementation and maintenance of relationship database structures
- Information systems development within the context of business information systems
- IT project management
- IT governance and ethics
- Process of integrating different systems and software applications by examining current trends, strategies and techniques
- Centrality of business information systems in improving enterprise strategy to drive organizational success
Career Outcomes
Find Your Career Path in Information Systems Technology
Upon completing this business information systems program, you should have the capabilities to leverage core business knowledge and information systems technology skills to help organizations be successful. Graduates are prepared for a career as a systems analyst, database administrator, network and computer systems administrator or business analyst.
Program DomainsGeneral Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-112, Success in Science, Engineering and Technology & Lab: 4 credits
- UNV-103, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4 credits
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4 credits
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4 credits
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course provides a foundation for programming and problem solving using computer programming, as well as an introduction to the academic discipline of IT. Topics include variables, expressions, functions, control structures, and pervasive IT themes: IT history, organizational issues, and relationship of IT to other computing disciplines. The course prepares students for advanced concepts and techniques in programming and information technology, including object-oriented design, data structures, computer systems, and networks. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on writing code that implements concepts discussed in lecture and on gaining initial exposure to common operating systems, enterprise architectures, and tools commonly used by IT professionals. Prerequisite: MAT-154 or MAT-261.
Course Description
This course exposes students to the fundamentals of networks and networking in IT. It then builds deeper understanding of how networks work, including the topics of LANs, WANs, service providers, packets, hubs, routers, switches, and Internet protocols. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on setting up and configuring local and enterprise networks, experimenting with various topologies, and scalability planning with routers and switches. Prerequisite: CST-111 or CST-105.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the practical application of descriptive and inferential statistics in business. Topics include probability, probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course examines information technology project management. Topics include the reasons why IT projects fail, the business cost of IT failure, managing IT teams, outsourcing, virtual teams, scope definition, project scheduling, risk mitigation, and leading successful projects. Additional topics focus on using project management to build an analytics organization. Prerequisite: BIT-200, BIT-205, CST-110, or CST-111.
Course Description
This course introduces students to system administration and maintenance as well as platform technologies. The course surveys operating systems, applications, administrative activities and domains, computer architecture and organization, and computing infrastructures. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on developing practical skills in configuring computer systems, deploying enterprise applications, managing user permissions, and remote administration. Prerequisite: ITT-116.
Course Description
This course examines the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of relational database structures. Emphasis is on appropriate application and implementation. Prerequisite: BIT-200 or BIT-205 or CST-110, or CST-111 or CST-105 or CST-117.
Course Description
This course covers the characteristics of object-relational databases and their application in business. The course also focuses on the main principles of object-oriented and object-relational databases, and their relative advantages. Students gain working knowledge of object-relational features as implemented in standard SQL database management systems. Students also learn to manage unstructured and semi-structured data with XML. Prerequisite: SYM-400.
Course Description
This course introduces key aspects of information systems development within the context of business information systems. Students focus on systems development with an emphasis on the system development life cycle, including requirements analysis and traceability, feasibility, and cost-benefit analysis. Systems development, deployment, and post-implementation processes are also addressed.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to object-oriented programming using most current business application programming languages and tools. Students will design, create, run, and debug applications. The course emphasizes the development of correct, well-documented programs using object-oriented programming concepts. Students also learn to create GUI-based programs. Prerequisite: CST-110 or CST-111.
Course Description
This writing intensive course examines the role of governance and ethics within information technology. Topics include understanding and satisfying Sarbanes/Oxley, preparing for an information technology audit, complying with government regulations such as HIPAA, and understanding data-privacy issues. Students examine real-world case studies. Prerequisite: BIT-200, BIT-205, CST-110, or CST-111.
Course Description
This course examines the process of integrating different systems and software applications by examining current and emerging trends, strategies, and techniques for effectively developing systems integration solutions. Prerequisites: BIT-310, BIT-415, and SYM-408.
Course Description
This writing intensive course emphasizes the centrality of business information systems in improving enterprise strategy to drive organizational success. Students learn how to help organizations achieve competitive advantage through the strategic aligning of information systems with organizational goals. There is particular emphasis on strategies for achieving organizational goals through the deployment of information technology-based solutions. Prerequisite: BIT-310.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to designing, planning, operating, and controlling production systems. Emphasis is on managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: BUS-352 or MAT-274.
Campus
Online
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* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
On-campus program disclosures (48 months) Online and Evening program disclosures (48 months)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.