Information Systems

The Information Systems (IS) concentration prepares students to design, develop, analyze, and manage information technology solutions that support organizational goals and business processes. The concentration emphasizes the intersection of business needs and technical systems, equipping students with the skills required to analyze requirements, design applications, manage data, and implement technology solutions in modern organizational environments.

The required courses provide a strong foundation in coding for business applications, application design and development, data foundations and analytics, and systems analysis and design. Students learn to apply programming and data preparation techniques, design and build applications, structure and query business data, and analyze organizational processes to define system requirements and recommend appropriate technical solutions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the systems development life cycle, user and stakeholder needs, and the role of information systems in enabling efficiency, innovation, and decision-making.

Elective coursework allows students to tailor the concentration to specific interests in areas such as project management, web and mobile application development, enterprise and customer relationship management systems, networking and security, cloud and AI technologies, business intelligence, data mining, visualization, and AI-enabled systems. Through hands-on projects and applied learning experiences, students gain exposure to industry-relevant tools, platforms, and methodologies used to design, implement, and manage business information systems.

Throughout the concentration, students develop analytical thinking, technical literacy, teamwork, and professional communication skills, as well as an understanding of ethical, security, and governance considerations related to information systems. The Information Systems concentration complements the Business Administration core by preparing graduates for technology-oriented business roles and for effective collaboration with technical specialists in data-driven and digitally enabled organizations.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Apply programming, application development, and data preparation techniques to design and implement information systems that support business processes.
  2. Analyze organizational needs and business workflows to identify system requirements and opportunities for IT-enabled improvement.
  3. Design information system solutions using appropriate methodologies, architectures, and development tools, considering usability, performance, and scalability.
  4. Evaluate technology options—including enterprise systems, cloud platforms, analytics tools, and AI-enabled solutions—to recommend appropriate systems for business contexts.
  5. Assess ethical, security, risk, and governance considerations associated with the development and use of information systems in organizations.

Accelerated Program

The Information Systems concentration includes an accelerated program option for students to graduate on a faster schedule. Accelerated Programs typically include 15-16 credits each fall and spring semester for three years, plus 6-9 credits over two to three summer sessions. Students who enter CSU with prior credit (AP, IB, transfer, etc.) may use applicable courses to further accelerate their graduation. Visit the Office of the Provost website for additional information about Accelerated Programs.

Career Pathways

The Information Systems concentration is versatile and dynamic, preparing graduates for careers that combine business knowledge with technical expertise and enabling them to adapt and thrive as digital technologies continue to transform organizations.

Common career pathways include Business Analyst / IT Analyst, Information Systems Consultant, Application Developer, Project Manager, Data or Business Intelligence Analyst, Cybersecurity Specialist, Network Administrator, and Enterprise Systems or CRM Specialist.

Graduates may also pursue technology‑centric roles within functional areas such as operations, marketing, finance, and supply chain management, where professionals are expected to leverage information systems, analytics, cloud platforms, and AI‑enabled tools as part of their core responsibilities.

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement. 

Effective Fall 2026

Freshman
AUCCCredits
BUS 100 or 105Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
 1
BUS 225Transforming Business for Sustainable Impact (GT-AH3)3B3
CIS 200Business Information Systems 3
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
Complete 3 credits from the following: 3
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)1B 
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)1B 
College Algebra (GT-MA1)1B 
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)1B 
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)1B 
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)1B 
Precalculus (GT-MA1)1B 
MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)1B 
1C1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A4
Electives 7
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
ACT 210Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
ACT 220Introduction to Managerial Accounting 3
BUS 220Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)3B3
CIS 230Coding for Business Applications Analytics 3
CIS 240Application Design and Development 3
ECON 204Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
STAT 204Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)1B3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Elective 3
 Total Credits 30
Junior
 
All freshman and sophomore required courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with first enrollment in required junior and senior courses.   
BUS 260Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business 3
CIS 355Business Database Systems 3
CIS 360Systems Analysis and Design 3
CIS 370Analytics and AI in Business 3
FIN 3001Principles of Finance4A,4B3
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Select two courses from the following: 6
Project Management for Information Systems  
Business and Mobile Applications Development  
Operating Systems and Networks  
Web Application Development  
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems  
Advanced Networking and Security  
Customer Relationship Management Systems  
Advanced Database Management  
Information Assurance and Security  
Business Intelligence  
Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business  
Business Data Visualization  
AI/ML Product Management  
Electives 6
 Total Credits 30
Senior
 
BUS 479Strategic Management4A,4C3
MGT 301Supply Chain Management 3
MGT 320Contemporary Management Principles/Practices 3
MKT 3001Marketing4B3
Select two courses from the following not taken in the junior year: 6
Project Management for Information Systems  
Business and Mobile Applications Development  
Operating Systems and Networks  
Web Application Development  
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems  
Advanced Networking and Security  
Customer Relationship Management Systems  
Advanced Database Management  
Information Assurance and Security  
Business Intelligence  
Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business  
Business Data Visualization  
AI/ML Product Management  
Electives2 12
 Total Credits 30
 Program Total Credits: 120
1

Students who have taken FIN 305 and/or MKT 305 prior to admission to the College of Business may substitute those courses to satisfy the category 4A and 4B requirements. All other students are required to take FIN 300 and MKT 300 to satisfy categories 4A and 4B.

2

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). A minimum of 6 elective credits must be upper-division.

Students are not to utilize the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading option for any Business concentration course or any Business core course (Business and non-Business subject codes) except when a course only allows S/U grading.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

To Declare this Major: Direct entry as a new freshman or transfer to the College of Business is highly selective and only those students meeting academic requirements will be accepted. For details contact the Office of Admissions.

CSU and the College of Business use holistic review when determining eligibility for admission to the College of Business as a new freshman. An example of a strong candidate for admission to the College of Business is one who is actively involved in their high school and community, has at least a 3.200 GPA with a 1200 or higher on the SAT or a 27 or higher on the ACT. For current admission criteria, contact the CSU Office of Admissions. New freshmen admitted to CSU but not directly to the College of Business will be admitted as “Undeclared Business Interest” and must meet the requirements below. To be eligible for admission to the College, CSU students (including Undeclared Business Interest) must have a 3.000 cumulative GPA on a minimum of 15 graded credits at Colorado State and a grade of B- or higher in ECON 202 and a grade of C- or higher in each course (total of 3 credits) from the following: MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 141, or a higher level calculus course.

External transfer students who have completed a minimum of 15 graded credits with a 3.000 cumulative GPA and a grade of B- or higher in ECON 202 and a grade of C- or higher in each course (total of 3 credits) from the following:MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 141, or a higher level calculus course.. External transfer students who do not meet the above criteria will be admitted to Undeclared and must complete the requirements stated above.

To Prepare for First Semester: The Curriculum for the Business Administration-Information Systems concentration assumes students will be able to successfully complete the College of Business Math requirement within the first year.

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement.

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 100 or 105Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
 X 1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
1C  1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences  3A4
Electives   4
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 225Transforming Business for Sustainable Impact (GT-AH3)X 3B3
CIS 200Business Information SystemsX  3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)X 3C3
Complete 3 credits from the following:   3
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)  1B 
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)  1B 
College Algebra (GT-MA1)  1B 
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)  1B 
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)  1B 
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)  1B 
Precalculus (GT-MA1)  1B 
MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)X 1B 
Elective   3
CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ACT 210Introduction to Financial AccountingX  3
CIS 230Coding for Business Applications AnalyticsX  3
ECON 204Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)  3C3
STAT 204Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)  1B3
Elective   3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ACT 220Introduction to Managerial AccountingX  3
BUS 220Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)  3B3
CIS 240Application Design and Development   3
Biological and Physical Sciences  3A3
Historical Perspectives  3D3
 Total Credits   15
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 260Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business   3
CIS 355Business Database Systems   3
CIS 360Systems Analysis and Design   3
Select 3 credits from the following:   3
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Elective   3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIS 370Analytics and AI in BusinessX  3
FIN 300Principles of Finance X4A,4B3
Upper-Division CIS electives (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)   6
Elective   3
CIS 240 must be completed by the end of Semester 6.X   
 Total Credits   15
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MGT 301Supply Chain ManagementX  3
MGT 320Contemporary Management Principles/PracticesX  3
MKT 300MarketingX 4B3
Upper-Division CIS elective (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)   3
Elective   3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 479Strategic ManagementX 4A,4C3
Upper-Division CIS elective (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  3
ElectivesX  9
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   120

A second concentration in International Business may be taken in conjunction with the Information Systems concentration. Upon graduation, both concentrations will be noted on a student’s official transcript.

Effective Fall 2026

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
BUS 100 or 105Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
 1
BUS 225Transforming Business for Sustainable Impact3B3
CIS 200Business Information Systems 3
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
Complete 3 credits from the following: 3
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)1B 
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)1B 
College Algebra (GT-MA1)1B 
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)1B 
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)1B 
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)1B 
Precalculus (GT-MA1)1B 
MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)1B 
1C1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A4
Historical Perspectives3D3
Elective 1
 Total Credits 27
Sophomore
 
ACT 210Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
ACT 220Introduction to Managerial Accounting 3
BUS 220Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)3B3
BUS 260Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business 3
CIS 230Coding for Business Applications Analytics 3
CIS 240Application Design and Development 3
ECON 204Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)3C3
STAT 204Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)1B3
International Business Group 2 - Global Focus 3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A3
Elective 3
 Total Credits 33
Junior
 
CIS 355Business Database Systems 3
CIS 360Systems Analysis and Design 3
CIS 370Analytics and AI in Business 3
FIN 300Principles of Finance4A,4B3
FIN 475International Business Finance 3
MGT 301Supply Chain Management 3
MGT 435Global Ethical Leadership Stakeholder Mgmt 3
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)2 
International Business Group 3 - Experiential Learning Requirement 3
 Total Credits 27
Senior
 
BUS 479Strategic Management4A,4C3
MGT 320Contemporary Management Principles/Practices 3
MGT 475International Business Management 3
MKT 300Marketing4B3
CIS Group - Select four courses from the following: 12
Project Management for Information Systems  
Business and Mobile Applications Development  
Operating Systems and Networks  
Web Application Development  
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems  
Advanced Networking and Security  
Customer Relationship Management Systems  
Advanced Database Management  
Information Assurance and Security  
Business Intelligence  
Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business  
Business Data Visualization  
AI/ML Product Management  
International Business Group 1 - Select one course from the following: 3
Negotiating Globally  
Global Supply Chain Management  
International Marketing  
International Business Group 2 - Global Focus 3
International Business Group 3 - Experiential Learning Requirement 3
 Total Credits 33
 Program Total Credits: 120

Interdisciplinary: International Business Group 2 – Global Focus (6 credits)

Select 6 credits from the following:6
ANTH 200Cultures and the Global System (GT-SS3)3
ECON 317Population Economics3
ECON 332/POLS 332International Political Economy3
ECON 440Economics of International Trade and Policy3
ECON 442Economics of International Finance and Policy3
ECON 460Economic Development3
GR 320Cultural Geography3
HIST 470World Environmental History, 1500-Present3
IE 450/SOWK 450International Social Welfare and Development3
IE 470Women and Development3
IE 471Children and Youth in Global Context3
IE 472Education for Global Peace3
IE 478Managing International Development Programs3
JTC 412International Mass Communication3
NRRT 320International Issues-Recreation and Tourism3
POLS 232International Relations (GT-SS1)3
POLS 362Global Environmental Politics3
POLS 431International Law3
POLS 433International Organization3
POLS 437International Security3
POLS 442Environmental Politics in Developing World3
POLS 462Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice3
SOC 364Food, Agriculture and Global Society3
SPCM 434International and Intercultural Communication3

Immersion: International Business Group 3 – Experiential Learning Requirement (6 credits)

Select at least one from the following:6
Education Abroad experience
Internship with global focus
L*** language course

Students are not to utilize the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading option for any Business concentration course or any Business core course (Business and non-Business subject codes) except when a course only allows S/U grading.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

To Declare this Major: Direct entry as a new freshman or transfer to the College of Business is highly selective and only those students meeting academic requirements will be accepted. For details contact the Office of Admissions.

CSU and the College of Business use holistic review when determining eligibility for admission to the College of Business as a new freshman. An example of a strong candidate for admission to the College of Business is one who is actively involved in their high school and community, has at least a 3.200 GPA with a 1200 or higher on the SAT or a 27 or higher on the ACT. For current admission criteria, contact the CSU Office of Admissions. New freshmen admitted to CSU but not directly to the College of Business will be admitted as “Undeclared Business Interest” and must meet the requirements below. To be eligible for admission to the College, CSU students (including Undeclared Business Interest) must have a 3.000 cumulative GPA on a minimum of 15 graded credits at Colorado State and a grade of B- or higher in ECON 202 and a grade of C- or higher in each course (total of 3 credits) from the following: MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 141, or a higher level calculus course.

External transfer students who have completed a minimum of 15 graded credits with a 3.000 cumulative GPA and a grade of B- or higher in ECON 202 and a grade of C- or higher in each course (total of 3 credits) from the following: MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 141, or a higher level calculus course. External transfer students who do not meet the above criteria will be admitted to Undeclared and must complete the requirements stated above.

To Prepare for First Semester: The Curriculum for the Business Administration- Information Systems concentration assumes students will be able to successfully complete the College of Business Math requirement within the first year.

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement.

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 100 or 105Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
 X 1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
1CX 1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A4
Historical Perspectives  3D3
 Total Credits   14
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 225Transforming Business for Sustainable ImpactX 3B3
CIS 200Business Information Systems X 3
ECON 202Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)X 3C3
Complete 3 credits from the following:   3
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)  1B 
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)  1B 
College Algebra (GT-MA1)  1B 
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)  1B 
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)  1B 
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)  1B 
Precalculus (GT-MA1)  1B 
MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1) X1B 
Elective   1
BUS 100 or BUS 105 and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   13
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ACT 210Introduction to Financial Accounting X 3
BUS 220Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3) X3B3
ECON 204Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) X3C3
STAT 204Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1) X1B3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ACT 220Introduction to Managerial Accounting X 3
BUS 260Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business X 3
CIS 230Coding for Business Applications Analytics   3
CIS 240Application Design and Development   3
International Business Group 2 - Global Focus X 3
Elective   3
 Total Credits   18
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIS 370Analytics and AI in Business   3
FIN 300Principles of Finance X4A,4B3
MGT 301Supply Chain Management X 3
MGT 435Global Ethical Leadership Stakeholder Mgmt X 3
 Total Credits   12
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIS 355Business Database Systems X 3
CIS 360Systems Analysis and Design   3
FIN 475International Business Finance   3
Select 3 credits from the following:   3
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
International Business Group 3 - Experiential Learning Requirement X 3
 Total Credits   15
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MGT 320Contemporary Management Principles/PracticesX  3
MGT 475International Business ManagementX  3
MKT 300MarketingX 4B3
CIS Group - Select two courses (See list on Program Requirements Tab)   6
International Business Group 2 - Global FocusX  3
 Total Credits   18
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
BUS 479Strategic ManagementX 4A,4C3
CIS Group - Select two courses not taken in semester 7 (See list on Program Requirements Tab)X  6
International Business Group 1 - Select one course from the following:X  3
Negotiating GloballyX   
Global Supply Chain ManagementX   
International MarketingX   
International Business Group 3 - Experiential Learning RequirementX  3
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   120