The Information Systems and Analytics (ISA) degree program offers knowledge and skills to students who aspire to become a professional in enterprise systems or business analytics, or a combination of both.

Skills in enterprise systems, which include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, have long been in high demand by corporations that seek to integrate their functional systems and business processes both within the organization and with their suppliers, customers, and other business partners.

Business analytics is an important domain that focuses on the applications of predictive analytics and machine learning to help address complex issues in business.

A combination of enterprise systems and business analytics skills allows our graduates to not only manage enterprise business processes and information, but also compile and analyze data generated by the enterprise systems.

Students who major in BBA-ISA can customize their program to match their interests and career goals. For example, to focus on business analytics, enterprise systems or project management, or enterprise security students could select the following courses for their programs (see the pertinent sections below). In addition, students are encouraged to seek relevant internship opportunities which they may use to satisfy the requirements of ISBA 4790. Moreover, if students have a special interest not covered in one of the offered classes, they can investigate that area in a special problem or directed study course (i.e., ISBA 4830 or ISBA 4890).

Business Analytics

Business analytics offers students the opportunity to make sound, integrated business decisions in marketing and sales, production, manufacturing, logistics and human resources, among others, using predictive analytics, machine learning, and big data tools and techniques. Major companies use business analytics in their day-to-day operations and strategic planning, where company leaders can access the right data points quickly to assess key business performance indicators and help them monitor and analyze operational and financial performances, perform sales forecast, etc. In addition to ISBA 2030, ISBA 3133, ISBA 3333, ISBA 4133, and ISBA 4135, courses that students who want to focus on business analytics can take include ISBA 4134, ISBA 4437, ISBA 4530, and a major elective (e.g., ISBA 4237, ISBA 4436, ISBA 4790).

Enterprise Systems or Project Management

Enterprise systems focuses on large, complex information systems that integrate business processes across an entire organization. Because the number of IS professionals with these skills is low, this is a high-demand area. Students focusing on this area will be prepared to assist companies in the selection, implementation, and support of such systems; and to help manage projects related to these endeavors. Potential employers include consulting companies, ERP developers, as well as thousands of companies that adopt or wish to adopt ERP systems. In addition to ISBA 2030, ISBA 3133, ISBA 3333, ISBA 4133, and ISBA 4135, courses that students who want to focus on enterprise systems or project management can take include ISBA 3134, ISBA 4230, ISBA 4434, and one of the following major courses: ISBA 4138, ISBA 4237, ISBA 4436, and ISBA 4790 (students who are interested in enterprise systems should take ISBA 4436, and those interested in project management should take ISBA 4138).

Enterprise Security

Enterprise security offers students the opportunity to learn how to protect data, networks, and applications to ensure the safety and security of customer information and proprietary data. This is a critical aspect of today’s online business. Using advanced techniques of risk analysis and security hardware and software, students will be prepared to work in major companies as well as smaller firms to safeguard their data. In addition to ISBA 2030, ISBA 3133, ISBA 3333, ISBA 4133, and ISBA 4135 courses that students who want to focus on enterprise security can take include IT 2531, ISBA 3134, ISBA 3331 or IT 3530, IT 4336, IT 4337, and ISBA 4790.

Programs

• Information Systems and Analytics, B.B.A

• Business Analytics Minor
• Enterprise (ES) Systems Minor