The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a software development concentration prepares students for a variety of programming and software development positions.

Students will learn foundational and advanced programming concepts in areas such as object-oriented programming, scripting languages, Android and iOS development, web application development, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and more. Through the curriculum, students are able to gain theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to build high-quality software products in their chosen career path.

Program Objectives

The program seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the role of information systems within organizations and the processes that support technology-enabled business development.

At the conclusion of the CIS program, students will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Analyze, design, implement, and maintain an information system.
2. Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and speaking.
3. Work effectively as a team member for a common purpose.
4. Identify ethical issues and provide alternatives or solutions.

Outcomes Assessment Activities

The CIS program primarily uses a direct-assessment approach. Artifacts of student work pertinent to a particular learning outcome are collected. These artifacts are then evaluated by faculty external to the course in which the artifact was collected to determine students’ level of mastery. Each learning outcome has been separated into sub-skills, or “measurable objectives”, that are components of the overall learning objectives. Students’ level of mastery is assessed using rubrics which have been developed for this purpose. To ensure inter-rater reliability, we implement processes whereby raters meet before and after artifacts are assessed. In addition, for follow-up (loop-closing) activities on subsequent artifact evaluation, the same raters are utilized when possible, for consistency and reliability.

The CIS program includes a senior capstone project course required of all majors. This course requires students to apply the communication, problem solving, and technical skills they have learned during the completion of the CIS program. Each team of students is assigned a live project in the Pueblo community (or sometimes surrounding areas). The team is evaluated on not only the final IT product they develop, but the process they follow in completing the project.

Finally, the CIS program meets annually with the CIS Industrial Advisory Committee to get feedback on the effectiveness of the CIS curriculum in meeting the needs of the IT industry along the Colorado Front Range. The CIS program also requires CIS graduates to complete a survey to determine the effectiveness of the program and curriculum in preparing them for jobs in IT.

Specific Program Requirements 

CIS majors complete a total of 120 credits. These credits include 36 credit hours of general education, 52 credits in CIS major courses, 10 credits of quantitative analysis, 9 credits of required related non CIS courses and 13 credits of electives. CIS majors are encouraged to complete a minor in Business Administration or another Business-related minor. The minor may be completed within the 13 elective credits.

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CIS majors may select one of the following concentration areas and complete the indicated required courses (12 credits of 3/400 upper division electives) within the chosen concentration.

Software Development Concentration Area Electives

In addition to the requirement to complete (BSAD 265 Inferential Statistics & Problem Solving (3 c.h.), BSAD 270 Business Communications (3 c.h.), BSAD 360 Advanced Business Statistics (3 c.h.), ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) (3 c.h.), ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1) (3 c.h.), MGMT 201 Principles of Management (3 c.h.), MGMT 368 Project Management (3 c.h.), MATH 101 Introductory College Mathematics (GT-MA1) (3 c.h.) and MATH 220 Quantitative Analysis for Business (4 c.h.)), CIS majors are strongly encouraged to complete a minor in Business Administration.

The general elective courses must include the specific courses listed below.

Specific Graduation Requirements

• Students majoring in computer information systems must maintain grades of C or higher in all CIS courses. In addition, all required CIS prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
• Students must complete at least 120 semester hours in an approved program of study, including 52 hours in the major.
• Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits of CIS upper-division course work. At least 16 of these upper-division CIS credits must be taken in residence.
• Students must complete a course planning worksheet and participate in the advisement process with a CIS faculty advisor.

Summary of Graduation Requirements (CIS)

General Education: 36
Quantitative Analysis Requirement: 10
Required Related: 9
Open Electives: 13
Major: 52

TOTAL (minimum credits): 120

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.