Information Systems
Qualifications
Introduction
Welcome to the ‘Information Age’ where information systems (IS) are a major part of many organisations and impact our lives on a day-to-day basis. IS is the point where business studies and computer science meet and it deals with:
- development, support and delivery of information, information systems, and information technology
- effective use of information technology to help individuals, organisations and society better attain their goals, and
- management of information systems, personnel and projects.
Information Systems draws together computer science, management science, accountancy, business administration and organisational behaviour.
Recommended background
No specific prior knowledge or experience is required or assumed for those beginning a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Information Systems. However, good English language skills are very important, and basic statistical/mathematical and computer skills are helpful.
100-level courses
The first-year, 100-level courses required to complete a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Information Systems are:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics or ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics or ECON 199 (a STAR course for secondary school students)
- INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
- INFO 125 Introduction to Programming with Databases or COSC 121 Introduction to Computer Programming or COSC 122 Introduction to Computer Science
- MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- Plus 30 points from 100-level Commerce or any other UC courses.
For the complete, three-year BCom Information Systems major degree plan see the School of Business and Economics website.
200-level and beyond
Later courses provide a more detailed treatment of the topics introduced at 100-level. Options are also available that enable specialisation in areas of interest.
Further study
If you graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce with good grades and appropriate 300-level courses you are eligible to enrol for postgraduate study, eg, Bachelor of Commerce with Honours or Master of Commerce degrees. A number of students also progress to doctoral (PhD) study.
Career opportunities
There are many challenging careers in IS. The ideal person will have a mix of skills and knowledge encompassing IS and business-related areas. Jobs include systems analyst, information technology (IT) consultant, project leader, network manager, database administrator, business analyst, PC support, IS planner, IS manager, IT salesperson and webmaster. You will find IS expertise to be marketable worldwide.
For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Contact
Department of Accounting and Information Systems
Telephone: +64 3 364 2613
Email: acis@canterbury.ac.nz