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The Major in Information Systems

Joe Mertz, Faculty Director

Gary DiLisio, Director of Undergraduate Education

Correy Dandoy, Senior Academic Advisor and Communications Manager

Jessica Lutz, Academic Advisor

Sarah Avery, Academic Advisor

Susan Miller, Senior Business Administrator

Shawna Pace, Academic Program Manager

Cassie Conrad, Administrative Coordinator

Email: isinfo@andrew.cmu.edu
Location: Hamburg Hall 3031
www.cmu.edu/information-systems

Did you enjoy computer science or more technical courses in high school, but are mostly interested in the practical and social applications of technology? Do you have a passion for business and want to use advanced technology to change how companies work? Do you want to learn how data and technology can be harnessed for social good?

Carnegie Mellon University's Information Systems (IS) program, a joint degree program between the Heinz College and Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences is strongly technical, drawing from Carnegie Mellon’s leadership in computer science, human-centered design, business management and software engineering. It is deeply rooted in the humanities and social sciences, allowing students the lifelong benefits of a rich liberal arts education. And it provides pathways for students to find their own Information Systems niche through advanced study and research with leading researchers.  As a result, our graduates are uniquely positioned to envision and drive the positive organizational change that technology makes possible.

Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Deep learning. Big data. Social networks. Neural networks. Robotics. Automated voice assistants. Blockchain. Driverless vehicles. 

Do you want to use technologies like these to benefit companies, governments, and society? CMU offers the world's best undergraduate IS program and will help you do just that. In fact, many of the world-changing technologies listed above were invented here on campus—there is no better place to become a tech leader than CMU.

The field of Information Systems involves the effective design, delivery, and use of information and communications technologies to solve problems for companies, governments, and society. Equally, it is about understanding and measuring the impacts of these technologies on people and communities so they can be deployed ethically.

As an IS student, you will build a solid foundation in computing, communications, and software development. You will also study social sciences and organizational theory to develop "big picture" critical thinking and understand the human impacts of technological change. This blend prepares you to take a leading role in our digital future. The flexible nature of the program encourages students to explore their own interests through program electives, study in a contemporary concentration or through optional second majors and minors. 

IS students are well prepared to pursue graduate work in a wide range of fields. For students interested in master's degree-level graduate work at Carnegie Mellon, there are many possibilities, including accelerated Masters degree programs in Information Systems Management, Human Computer Interaction, Information Security Policy and Management, Engineering Technology and Innovation Management, and Business Administration.

IS graduates continue to be in high demand in the information-age workplace. There has been a strong job market for IS students in recent years, and national trends indicate that this is likely to continue. IS majors often take jobs in consulting companies, major software firms, large corporations, and start-up companies. Internship opportunities closely parallel the job market.

In addition to General Education Requirements and basic prerequisites in Mathematics and Computer Science, The IS program curriculum includes:

  • A broad grounding in humanities and social sciences to promote self-directed learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
  • An Information Systems Core to provide the technology, project management, and business-facing skills needed to design and build effective real-world systems solutions.
  • An Information Systems Breadth focused on professional communications, quantitative analysis, and how technology functions in society.
  • A Concentration that gives you the flexibility and agency to gain expertise in a supporting area and define your own niche in IS.

The IS major is the perfect place for you if you are passionate about using technology for positive gains across society, both economic and humanistic.

IS Commitment on Diversity & Inclusion:

Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values of the Information Systems Program. We strive to foster a community that promotes inclusiveness and a positive sense of belonging among all students within the program. Together, we value and celebrate the unique identities of our students and aim to create a culture where they feel empowered to share their experiences and ideas, and engage in meaningful academic, leadership, and social opportunities. We aim to elevate cultural awareness through education, programming, and an environment that embraces differences.

Study Abroad Options in Information Systems:

Given the importance of globalization, we encourage students to consider expanding their international experience by spending a semester studying abroad. The IS program is very flexible in allowing students to pursue these opportunities. With careful planning, study abroad is possible during most semesters. Students interested in study abroad should talk with the IS Academic Advisor to help plan an appropriate course of study. With prior approval, study abroad courses may be applied to major requirements.

Information Systems as Additional Major or Minor:

Information Systems is not available as either an additional major or minor.

Curriculum

The Information Systems major is offered only as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. In addition to major requirements outlined below, all Information Systems students must fulfill the General Education requirements for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. A total of 360 units is required for the degree.

Requirements are subject to revision.  Advisor approval is required for each student's major curriculum plan.  Any proposed course substitutions to courses required for the IS major must be approved in advance by the IS Academic Advisor. 

Technical Core (Prerequisites)

Information Systems requires completion of prerequisite courses in Mathematics and Computer Science.  All prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to the start of Fall semester, junior year.

Mathematics

Complete one of the following math courses:

Units
21-112Calculus II
(pre-requisite of 21-111)		10
21-120Differential and Integral Calculus10
21-127Concepts of Mathematics12
21-240Matrix Algebra with Applications10
80-210Logic and Proofs9
Computer Science

Three Computer Science courses are required. To maintain normal progress toward the Information Systems degree, students must complete 15-121 Introduction to Data Structures prior to the start of Spring Semester, sophomore year.

Students entering the program as freshmen will have the option to complete a Computer Science Placement Test. Depending on appropriate Advanced Placement credit and/or results of the Computer Science Placement Test, entering students may place directly into 15-112 or 15-121. 15-110 is taken as the first Computer Science prerequisite unless a student places directly into 15-112 or 15-121. Students that do not gain a placement into 15-112 or 15-121 must begin the sequence with 15-110 and must complete it with a grade of D or above prior to entering 15-112.

Units
15-110Principles of Computing10
15-112Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science12
15-121Introduction to Data Structures10

Note: Students cannot receive credit for both 15-104 Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice and 15-110 Principles of Computing. Students may also take 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation in place of 15-121 Introduction to Data Structures but should first consult with their academic advisor prior to doing so.

Information Systems Core

In the Information Systems Core, students will learn the basic skills necessary to analyze, design, implement, and test high-quality, cost effective information systems. The Information Systems Core consists of seven courses (not including 67-100 and 67-200). 

Complete all of these courses:                

Units
67-100Information Systems First Year Colloquium1
67-200Information Systems Research Colloquium1
67-250The Information Systems Milieux
(Spring Semester Only)		9
67-262Database Design and Development
(Fall Semester Only)		9
67-272Application Design and Development
(Spring Semester Only)		12
67-373Information Systems Consulting Project
(Spring Semester Only)		12
17-313Foundations of Software Engineering12
95-422Managing Digital Transformation9

Complete one of these three courses:

Units
05-391Designing Human Centered Software12
05-410User-Centered Research and Evaluation
Not open to first-year students.		12
05-452Service Design12

Information Systems Breadth

In the Information Systems Breadth, students will study key areas fundamental to understanding and solving problems in information systems. At least one course is required from each of the following categories:

Professional Communications

Information systems professionals communicate with a wide range of people in most organizations and often facilitate communications between diverse groups of stakeholders. Consequently, the most successful professionals typically are those with strong communication skills. These courses help students see that the structure and presentation of information affects how well (and how easily) it can be understood and used.

Complete one of the following courses:

Units
05-317Design of Artificial Intelligence Products12
36-315Statistical Graphics and Visualization9
51-261Communication & Digital Design Fundamentals9
or 51-262 Design Center: Communication and Digital Design Fundamentals
67-265Design Fundamentals: Shaping Interactions and Experiences9
67-336Building Data Visualizations in to Information Systems9
67-338Information & Grid Design9
70-321Negotiation and Conflict Resolution9
70-340Business Communications9
70-342Managing Across Cultures9
70-350Acting for Business9
76-270Writing for the Professions9
84-250Writing for Political Science and Policy9
88-230Human Intelligence and Human Stupidity9
88-231Thinking in Person vs. Thinking Online9
88-341Team Dynamics and Leadership9
or 70-341 Team Dynamics and Leadership
Quantitative Analysis and Research Methods

This area focuses on decision making and data analysis — essential to development of useful information systems. This area exposes students to analytic methods in the social sciences and quantitative methods for approaching complex methods.

Complete one of the following courses:

Units
21-257Models and Methods for Optimization9
21-325Probability9
36-202Methods for Statistics & Data Science9
36-219Probability Theory and Random Processes9
36-225Introduction to Probability Theory9
36-235Probability and Statistical Inference I9
36-303Sampling, Survey and Society9
36-309Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences9
36-315Statistical Graphics and Visualization9
36-350Statistical Computing9
36-401Modern Regression9
36-402Advanced Methods for Data Analysis9
67-285Across the Universe from Intelligent Agents to Users9
67-364Practical Data Science9
73-265Economics and Data Science9
80-305Game Theory9
80-306Decision Theory9
88-223Decision Analysis12
88-251Empirical Research Methods9
88-252Causal Inference: from Data to Decisions9
88-275Bubbles: Data Science for Human Minds9
88-300Programming and Data Analysis for Social Scientists9
94-216Introduction to Decision Analytics and Systems6
Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The focus of this area is to apply disciplined techniques to generate ideas that have value in a market, and bring them through design, feasibility testing, and frequent revision, towards a potential launch. Students must complete 67-272 Application Design & Development in order to fulfill one of the courses below towards their Innovation and Entrepreneurship requirement. 

Complete one of the following courses:

Units
05-470Digital Service Innovation12
17-356Software Engineering for Startups12
67-443Mobile Application Design and Development12
94-491Lean Innovation Lab12

Information systems concentration

The study of Information Systems can take many paths; Concentrations allow students to find the path that best suits their plans and aspirations. They also allow students to establish relationships with leading researchers in their area of interest. It is strongly recommended to determine your concentration requirement by the end of the sophomore year to ensure timely completion by the conclusion of the fourth year.

IS Concentrations include:

  • Data Analytics
  • Health Information Systems
  • Technology & Arts Enterprises
  • Technology & International Development
  • User Experience (UX) Design

Alternatively, students may choose from an approved list of minors or additional majors, including those offered through the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) initiative that blend information systems and the arts as only Carnegie Mellon University can.

Additional Majors:

Approved minors:

Sample Curriculum 

First-YearSecond-Year
FallSpringFallSpring
67-100 Information Systems First Year Colloquium67-250 The Information Systems Milieux67-200 Information Systems Research Colloquium67-272 Application Design and Development
15-110 Principles of Computing15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science67-262 Database Design and DevelopmentQuantitative Analysis Requirement
36-200 Reasoning with DataGrand Challenge Seminar15-121 Introduction to Data StructuresGeneral Education Course
76-101 Interpretation and Argument or other approved first-year writing optionsGeneral Education CourseProfessional Communications RequirementElective Course
Math RequirementGeneral Education CourseGeneral Education CourseElective Course
Elective CourseElective Course
99-101 Core@CMU

Third-YearFourth-Year
FallSpringFallSpring
17-313 Foundations of Software Engineering67-373 Information Systems Consulting Project95-422 Managing Digital TransformationConcentration Course
Concentration CourseConcentration CourseConcentration CourseGeneral Education Course
HCI RequirementGeneral Education CourseInnovation & Entrepreneurship RequirementElective Course
General Education CourseElective CourseGeneral Education CourseElective Course
Elective CourseElective CourseElective CourseElective Course

Academic Policies

Transfer into Information Systems

Applications will be considered based on the following criteria:

  • Completion of 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science with final grade of 'B' is required; a final grade of 'A' is preferred
  • Completion of 15-121 or 15-122 is preferred, with a grade of 'B' or higher
  • Strong record of academic performance at Carnegie Mellon (minimum QPA of 3.5 required)
  • Personal statement (1-2 pages single spaced) on the following topic: In your personal statement, please describe how your academic and career goals relate to the Information Systems Program. Please discuss your previous experiences that have led you to pursue the IS major, and how IS aligns with your future goals and aspirations. You may also discuss any other IS related experiences (e.g. internships, course projects, research, co-curricular experiences, etc.) or relevant coursework.
  • Interview with an IS Academic Advisor: IS advisor appointments should be made with the appropriate advisor (based on student last name) via the links on the advising page and should be completed by the deadline set forth for the current semester.
  • Sample course plan through graduation (4th semester applicants only) When making your plan, we strongly recommend utilizing Stellic. The only Dietrich General Education course that will be waived is the Grand Challenge Seminar.

Application materials must be submitted no later than the last day of classes of the fall or spring semester. Students admitted into the IS Program will be officially declared in the semester following their application to the IS Program. If admitted, students will be declared as an IS major prior to the start of the following semester. All internal transfer students will be required to take 67-200: IS Research Colloquium during the first fall semester of their IS enrollment.  

Students interested in applying for transfer to the Information Systems major should contact an IS Academic Advisor for information regarding availability, application procedures, and deadlines.

Double Counting of Courses

"Double Counting" refers to instances when a course taken to fulfill one requirement counts simultaneously toward a requirement in another major or minor program. Double Counting is permitted in the Dietrich College on a very limited basis. Information Systems students may double count no more than two courses towards an additional major/minor. There is no restriction on double counting for courses satisfying the Dietrich College General Education requirements and IS Prerequisite courses. Students must also adhere to any policy restrictions on double counting enforced by the academic department of the student's additional major or minor.

Course Repeats

Per university policy, when a course is repeated, all grades will be recorded on the official academic transcript and will be calculated in the student's QPA. This is the case regardless if the first grade for the course is a passing or failing grade.

Undergraduate students who wish to repeat a course already passed must obtain approval from the student's Dean or Department Head. When a student takes a course they already passed, only one set of units will count towards graduation requirements.

Course Descriptions

About Course Numbers:

Each Carnegie Mellon course number begins with a two-digit prefix that designates the department offering the course (i.e., 76-xxx courses are offered by the Department of English). Although each department maintains its own course numbering practices, typically, the first digit after the prefix indicates the class level: xx-1xx courses are freshmen-level, xx-2xx courses are sophomore level, etc. Depending on the department, xx-6xx courses may be either undergraduate senior-level or graduate-level, and xx-7xx courses and higher are graduate-level. Consult the Schedule of Classes each semester for course offerings and for any necessary pre-requisites or co-requisites.

67-100 Information Systems First Year Colloquium
Fall: 1 unit
This IS Colloquium will provide a broad introduction to the Information Systems Program, an exciting program newly joint between Carnegie Mellon's Dietrich College and Heinz College. The IS Colloquium is open only to first-year IS students and is led by an IS academic advisor who facilitates discussions on the field of IS, the program curriculum, and careers, in addition to co-curricular experiences such as internships and study abroad. Because the flexible nature of the IS program encourages students to explore their own interests, we place an emphasis on highlighting a variety of areas within the field of IS. Guest lecturers will include leaders in IS research including Dietrich and Heinz faculty and IS alumni. Additional speakers include the IS career consultant and various campus representatives. Discussions will include students' progress in their first semester, as well as guidance in course planning, creating student Spring semester class schedules, and their overall four-year plan.
67-135 Discover, organize, and synthesize: Building your research toolkit beyond Google
Intermittent: 3 units
The world of academic research literature is growing exponentially across all disciplines, leaving researchers and decision-makers with a conundrum: how do we effectively identify research gaps and how do we make sense of what we already know, given the millions of research articles published every year? This micro course will equip students with techniques and tools for a systematic approach to finding, assessing and making sense of research knowledge, applying principles from well-established synthesis methods. Students will explore the scholarly research in interdisciplinary topics and topics in their own subject areas. Students will gain skills they can apply to any research course, and will be able to use these techniques in their future careers as practitioners for making sound, evidence- and research-based decisions.
67-200 Information Systems Research Colloquium
Fall: 1 unit
The Information Systems Research Colloquium will educate students on research opportunities both in IS and beyond. By the end of the course, students should be able to: · Articulate what undergraduate research looks like at Carnegie Mellon University, and particularly identify the breadth of research opportunities in the field of Information Systems · Demonstrate how to communicate with faculty whose work aligns with individual interests · Describe several career and continuing education opportunities for Information Systems students The Information Systems Research Colloquium is open only to sophomore IS student as well as recent transfer students and is led by an IS academic advisor who facilitates discussions on the various research topics both through IS and other campus constituents.
67-204 Blockchains in Industry
All Semesters: 3 units
Industry experts characterize blockchains as breakthrough technology that has the same transformative power as that of the Internet. Blockchains have the potential to solve a variety of problems that benefit from a decentralized model of trust. This course will help students understand fundamental blockchain concepts and develop industry case studies of blockchain applications to finance, insurance, energy, healthcare, real estate, etc.
67-206 Technology Outreach and Engagement in the Pittsburgh Community
Fall and Spring: 6 units
This course is designed to provide an experiential learning opportunity to CMU students. In this course students will develop material to conduct outreach with children in grades K-12. CMU students will engage with the community, have conversations with community partners and educators, and demonstrate knowledge of civic engagement, cultural identity and diversity / inclusion. Experiential learning through engagement in the Pittsburgh Public Schools community will help CMU students make an impact on younger students, inspiring them to become familiar with and potentially pursue interdisciplinary technology careers.
67-220 Digital Accessibility - Ensuring Universal Access to the Information Society
Fall: 9 units
Digital accessibility addresses a user's ability to easily access an electronic document, a website, or a computer application unhindered by visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments or temporal disabilities arising from age, illness etc. Students who takes this course will gain a deep understanding of the diverse problems faced by people with disabilities in their interactions in a digital space and how the use of assistive technologies help them surmount the related accessibility barriers (CT1 and CT3). They will learn about inclusive design principles and how to author content with consideration of design decisions that impact digital accessibility. Besides gaining an understanding of user-centered design principles, the students will learn how to apply Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to design and develop a website (CT2). To cap it, students will learn how to test, evaluate and report conformance of a website with usability principles and accessibility standards. (CT3)
67-223 Digital Trace and Identity
All Semesters: 9 units
This course introduces students to the principles and applications of digital forensics. Students become aware of the digital traces they leave behind and how these traces can be used in forensics. Students are introduced to the typical life-cycle of a digital trace. They develop their practical digital investigation skills in computer laboratory classes by studying this life-cycle with the help of computer tools.
67-235 Puzzles, Games, and Problem Solving
Intermittent: 3 units
Puzzle-based learning (PBL) is a relatively new and model of teaching critical thinking and problem solving. Todays market place needs skilled graduates capable of solving real problems of innovation in a changing environment. A learning goal of PBL is to distill domain independent transferable heuristics for tackling problems. While solving puzzles is innately fun, companies such as Google and Yahoo also use puzzles to assess the creative problem solving skills of potential employees. In this micro-course we will examine a range of puzzles and games. What general problem solving strategies can we learn from the way we solve these examples? Students will emerge from this course with enhanced critial and creative thinking skills
67-240 Mobile Web Design & Development
Fall and Spring: 9 units
The Mobile Web Design and Development course provides a solid web design and development foundation focusing on responsive, user-centered design, and client-side components. Throughout the course, students work with HTML5, CSS3, Twitter Bootstrap, and JavaScript, and learn how the various web components function together. The course utilizes a hands-on approach to guide students through learning and understanding the design and development process. In this course, students work on in-class activities, individual assignments and a group project with a client using the current standards and best practices of web design and development. This course is primarily designed for students with minimal technical experience. By the end of the course, students will be able to plan, design, and implement a basic functioning mobile website/ app.
Prerequisites: 15-112 Min. grade C or 15-110 Min. grade C or 15-104 Min. grade C
67-250 The Information Systems Milieux
Spring: 9 units
Information systems (IS) are changing work practices, reshaping organizations, transforming cultures, and giving new meaning to the ways we see the world. This course is designed to help students understand the role of IS in the enterprise and the means by which these systems are created, utilized and maintained. The course will focus on enterprise information architecture including the components of enterprise strategy, business, application, information, and infrastructure layers. This course provides not only a framework for understanding information systems, but also a language to identify their dynamic complexities and interdependencies.
67-262 Database Design and Development
Fall: 9 units
Data driven decision making is a core process of organizations. In this class students will study the principles of database management systems, their design, and development. Recent alternatives to the classical relational model will also be examined.
Prerequisites: 15-121 or 15-112 or 15-122
67-265 Design Fundamentals: Shaping Interactions and Experiences
Fall: 9 units
This course offers hands-on experience based on theoretical grounding linked to fundamental design practices. The first fundamental idea is stakeholders need an interesting and organized pre-task environment as a precursor to engaging with a task. A pre-task environment is one that invites stakeholders to engage with and stay in a designed space because they can see that they will enjoy performing tasks that meet their goals. This useful, usable, and desirable task environment is developed by exploring compositional guidelines, color theory, and basic typography. With pre-task knowledge in hand, students explore meaning-making that emerges through the synthesis of image, word, and typeface as they design and prototype interactive solutions to problems that real users face, employing user studies and usability evaluations to create effective solutions.
67-272 Application Design and Development
Spring: 12 units
This course provides students with the concepts and techniques to design and develop software applications, and to understand the design process. Students will learn the importance of user-centered design and will develop a prototype of a web application as a course project. In the process of developing the application, students will learn how to design and create relational databases, how to acquire competency in new programming languages quickly, how to use the Model-View-Controller pattern to develop software applications, how to ensure technical quality in software development, and how to apply principles of user-centered design. This course is a required professional core course and is open only to sophomores and juniors in the IS major.
Prerequisites: (15-121 or 15-122) and 67-262
67-279 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
Intermittent: 6 units
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) allow us to visualize information that uses location. Through displaying layers of information in computer generated maps, we can see, analyze, understand and explore spatial patterns and relationships in new and novel ways. People in many different fields use Geographical Information Systems in their work: for visualizing the environment, human development, demographics, traffic and transportation, public health and many more. In this course, students will learn the basics of GIS through hands-on experience with popular mapping tools. Sources of data, principles of coordinate and projection systems and elementary geo-analysis techniques will be included. Upon completion of the course, students will have the background to begin using GIS techniques in their own areas of interest and will be prepared for further study in advanced GIs courses.
67-285 Across the Universe from Intelligent Agents to Users
Spring: 9 units
The goal of this course is to introduce students to how intelligent agents and similar systems impact and are perceived by users. In this course, we explore different dimensions relating to intelligent agents' design, usability, and user perceptions such as humanness, trust, privacy, bias, human values, emotions, and so on. To do so, we review research articles at the intersection of Information Systems, Psychology and Artificial Intelligence. The course aims to introduce students to the research process and equip them with the necessary tools to design and explore research questions that address pressing issues in the realm of user-agent interaction.
67-306 Management of Computer and Information Systems
Spring: 6 units
The course provides the overall knowledge of how Information Technology departments are managed in organizations of all sizes. It is about the technology people, the necessary best practice processes, and how innovation occurs transforming organizations in the way they operate and compete.
67-309 Special Topics: Information Assurance and Security
Fall: 6 units
Special Topics: Information Assurance is an introduction course for Information Systems students that focuses on information security concepts. This course will be a broad introduction to many aspects of information security that affect computer systems, your everyday life on the internet, your activities - and those of others, and the practices of all organizations using and building information systems. You will learn an introduction to the practice of securing information systems, how organizations manage risk to their information assets, what threats there are to the security of an information systems, strategies for organizational resilience, applicable US cyber laws, and how organizations respond to real incidents. You will hear about some of the major cyber incidents that have shaped the way security is performed by organizations on the internet today, and you will participate through class discussions and homework analyzing important recent cyber issues, real incidents, and internet-scale events. By the end of the class you will be able to analyze systems for security using the language of security professionals and analyze the implications of real world attacks on security systems by applying core information security concepts.
Prerequisites: 15-110 or 15-112
67-319 Global Technology Consulting Groundwork
Spring: 3 units
This course is by invitation only for participants in the Technology Consulting in the Global Community program. For information on the program and how to apply, see URL below.

Course Website: http://cmu.edu/tcingc.
67-331 Technology Consulting in the Global Community
Fall
This course is only for participants in the Technology Consulting in the Global Community program. Admitted ONLY BY Permission of Instructor
67-336 Building Data Visualizations in to Information Systems
Fall: 9 units
In an increasingly data-driven world, the ability to effectively understand complex information is crucial for problem-solving and decision-making. This course explores the art and science of designing interactive visualizations within information systems to allow data to be effectively communicated and understood. In other words, to allow the user to more easily and fully grasp the underlying story. Students in this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and theories underlying information design and visualization, including topics related to information architecture, human computer interaction, user-centered design, human perceptual and cognitive factors and how to leverage them to effectively communicate information. Students will also learn how these visualizations can be integrated into the software design process and how visualizations improve the value of information systems. Through a well-balanced breadth and depth of lectures, exercises and projects, students will learn to use popular design tools and technologies to design information systems and create visualizations that facilitate understanding, analysis, assessment and evaluation of various data sets and selected information systems. One of the important aspects of this course is to foster students' cultural and socioeconomic awareness, promote responsible technology use, and empower them to apply technical skills to address social inequalities for positive societal impact.
67-338 Information & Grid Design
Fall: 9 units
Whether you create, oversee, or want practice solving problems through grid systems for websites, responsive applications, slide presentations, or data visualizations, this course provides the skills and perspective needed to communicate in grid environments: a synthesis of content, structure, and interaction. Grids emerged to address content/structure needs linked to print production, leaving opportunities to fully explore how they can better help stakeholders in interactive environments. As we explore this space, specific skillsets will include: developing a better understanding of visual composition through the grid, using the vocabulary of communication and information design in critique, manipulating typographic variables to create readable documents, learning approaches to invention using image, text, and amp; typography, creating simple to complex grid structures, developing skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Adobe XD, adapting simple prototypes to HTML/CSS through basic Bootstrap.
67-346 Blockchain Fundamentals
Intermittent: 6 units
In this course, we will dig into the blockchain technology. We will learn from the basic, single-purpose blockchain (such as for Bitcoin) to general purpose blockchain (which includes a range of use-cases). The course will cover a broad spectrum of blockchain technology, different consensus algorithms, its various real-world use-cases with an eye on developing our own blockchain. We will also understand various challenges with this technology, and a case-study that covers implementation in Python. This would be an interactive course and the students are expected to share ideas and their thoughts.
67-348 Black Mirror - Cultural Representations of Technology
Fall: 9 units
Advances in technology raise a variety of fascinating ethical, cultural, and societal questions often resulting in uncertainties and unanticipated dilemmas. This course provides an opportunity to explore how cultural representations of technology are reflected in society and inform continued technical advancements. Using episodes from Black Mirror - a British anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker - we will explore the depictions of technology and society and its representation. This course will challenge you to think critically about technological change and controversial topics surrounding digital culture and social impact. You will also develop a more sophisticated understanding of the political, economic, and cultural considerations that underlie technological development. Discussions of episodes will be supplemented by popular, critical texts and academic articles. This class is more seminar-based, rather than lecture-based. We will engage critically and constructively in key debates that shape the future of the technology, through in-class discussions, activities, and presentations.
67-364 Practical Data Science
Spring: 9 units
From empirical, to theoretical, to computational science, we are at the dawn of a new revolution and #8212;-a fourth paradigm of science driven by data. Like archaeological remnants, data, by its very nature, is a marker of what happened in the past. How can data be used to better understand this past and what is happening in the present? How can data be leveraged to forecast what will happen in the future? Better still, how can data be used to mold what should happen in the future? In this course we will study descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive methods by which data can be used to gain insight and inform actions of people and organizations. The real excitement of data science is in the doing. This is an application oriented course requiring skill in algorithmic problem solving. We will use Python based data science tools. While prior programming experience with Python will be helpful the course will strive to be self-contained. If you have not programmed in Python before, you need to be comfortable programming in some language (e.g., Ruby, R, Java, C++) and will need to come up to speed with the Pythonic way of problem solving.
Prerequisites: (36-200 Min. grade C or 36-201 Min. grade C) and 15-112 Min. grade C
67-367 Information Warfare
Intermittent: 9 units
In this course, we will examine information warfare through technical as well as strategic, operational, and tactical employment perspectives. This course will address historical aspects of military deception, electronic warfare, computer network operations, operational security, and psychological operations
67-368 User Experience (UX) Research for Product Managers
Fall: 9 units
User Experience (UX) saturates the digital landscape, often acting as the pivotal determinant of user engagement with a product or service. Mastery of UX research is crucial for product managers, serving as the cornerstone for steering development efforts towards the attainment of cutting-edge user experiences. This course is geared towards providing understanding of the pivotal role of UX within the realm of product management, equipping students with the requisite arsenal of tools to research, obtain, and leverage UX insights for the development of products. The curriculum introduces UX principles, and delves in UX research methodologies, and their practical application through advanced digital experimentation. Through participation in hands-on exercises within a state-of-the-art digital laboratory environment, participants will go on the iterative journey from problem identification to the delivery of definitive solutions, thereby fine-tuning their acumen in elevating UX across the product lifecycle. By integrating theoretical paradigms with experiential learning, this course empowers participants to deftly navigate the intricacies of UX research, catalyzing the creation of next-generation, user-centric digital innovations.
Prerequisites: 36-200 or 70-207 or 36-220
67-373 Information Systems Consulting Project
Spring: 12 units
In this course, students design and implement a usable information system for a client. The client may be affiliated with the university, government, business, or non-profit agency. Students will be assigned to teams to work on these projects, and will produce operational, fully documented and tested, computer-based information systems. The projects will be supervised by CMU faculty and, when possible, by project clients.
Prerequisite: 67-272
67-380 Information Systems Security
Intermittent: 9 units
This course is an introduction to information systems security for the IS student. The course will introduce the student to fundamental concepts in information system security, including operational issues, planning, and design. Topics will include confidentiality, integrity, and availability; risk; access controls and access control frameworks; security policies; authentication strategies and issues; auditing; using cryptography; security design issues; controlling information flows; malicious logic; and applying security principles
67-384 Digital and Cybercrime
Fall: 9 units
This course will discuss various types of cybercrime and ways to deal with them. Students will learn who are doing this cybercrime, and how the technology and people's psychology can be manipulated by them to do a cybercrime. Taking multimedia-based cybercrime as an example, the course, will then discuss how to deal with such cybercrime. To that end, students will be introduced various multimedia-based cybercrime tools, and they will develop their practical digital investigation skills through the use of computer laboratory classes. Cybercrime involving the advanced technologies, such as deepfake, LLM, etc. will also be introduced.
Prerequisite: 15-112
67-390 Independent Study in Information Systems
Fall and Spring
Independent studies are opportunities to engage in research with an IS faculty member to advance your learning in certain areas of interest. Information Systems students may enroll in independent study for 3, 6, 9, or 12 units of academic credit by obtaining an IS faculty sponsor who will oversee the academic component of the coursework, monitor progress, and assign a final grade. This is available by Special Permission.
67-391 Independent Study in Information Systems
Fall and Spring
Independent studies are opportunities to engage in research with an IS faculty member to advance your learning in certain areas of interest. Information Systems students may enroll in independent study for 3, 6, 9, 12 units of academic credit by obtaining an IS faculty sponsor who will oversee the academic component of the coursework, monitor progress, and assign a final grade.
67-393 Guided Research in Information Systems
All Semesters
This course is for team-based research with an IS faculty member. Upon prior approval by the faculty member, students may enroll for 3, 6, 9, or 12 units.
67-404 Blockchain Applications
Intermittent: 9 units
In this course, we will dig into the blockchain technology. We will learn from the basic, single-purpose blockchain (such as for Bitcoin) to general purpose blockchain (which includes a range of use-cases). The course will cover a broad spectrum of blockchain technology, different consensus algorithms, its various real-world use-cases - with an eye on developing our own blockchain. We will also understand various challenges with this technology, and a case-study that covers implementation in Python. This would be an interactive course and the students are expected to share ideas and their thoughts.
67-410 Clinical Data Science
Intermittent: 9 units
This course is designed as an introductory course in Critical Care Data Science, providing an introduction to the tools and techniques of data science, specifically focused on clinically relevant critical care. Electronic Medical Records; Common Data Models for Clinical Data; SQL Querying; Computational Phenotyping; Common Machine Learning Techniques (Supervised; Unsupervised; Reinforcement Learning); and Reporting Clinical Data Science Research.
67-415 Cyber Ethics and Regulation
Intermittent: 9 units
This course investigates the ethical and regulatory implications of technology by adopting a four-dimensional framework focused on Privacy, Accuracy, Property, and Accessibility (PAPA Framework. It examines legal rights and corresponding duties and responsibilities of stakeholders. The course delves into established and emergent themes including cyber law, surveillance, dis/misinformation, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and organizational policy. Its primary focus is on social, behavioral, and legal implications of technology, assessed from multiple perspectives pertaining to individuals, organisations and societies.
67-417 Web Investigation and Surveillance
Spring: 9 units
In this course, students will learn about web investigation and surveillance which are required to deal with network-based attacks and crime. On completion, students will have an understanding of how network-based attacks and crime happens and how to deal with them. To that end, students will be introduced to topics such as intrusion detection, incidence response, internet investigation, etc. Students will also be introduced to new types of network attacks and crime arisen due to the advancement of technology. Students will develop their practical skills to mitigate network attacks and crime through the use of computer laboratory classes.
Prerequisites: 67-380 and 67-301
67-421 Advanced Topics in Information Systems: Visualizations
Fall: 9 units
Advanced topics in IS visualizations
67-425 Special Topics - Capstone course in Digitalization
Intermittent: 9 units
Most organizations including your future employers use enterprise systems to run their business processes such as sales, procurement, and production. This course discusses key business processes in organizations and the role, functions and technical foundations of enterprise systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Through hands-on use of enterprise systems in multiple case studies, the students will become familiar with the key concepts in such systems and demonstrate practical knowledge on how such systems allow organizations to run end-to-end business processes such as order-to-cash or make-to-order. The course also addresses the lifecycle of enterprise systems' projects and their various phases such as selection, implementation, operation and maintenance.
67-426 Special Topics - Capstone course in Data Science
Intermittent: 9 units
TBA
67-427 Privacy and Security Capstone
Fall and Spring: 9 units
This course is the capstone course for the Privacy and Security concentration in Information Systems. It requires students to engage in a substantive project related to Privacy and/or Security that will be primarily independent but guided by faculty.
67-430 AI and Emerging Economies
Intermittent: 9 units
In this course, we will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with emerging economies. Our focus will extend beyond traditional AI research and development to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by countries experiencing rapid economic growth. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, case studies, and practical projects, students will gain insights into how AI can drive positive change in diverse socio-economic contexts.
67-435 Advanced Topic in Information Systems:
Fall: 9 units
Advanced topic in IS
67-443 Mobile Application Design and Development
Fall: 12 units
This course provides students with the concepts and techniques to design and develop innovative mobile applications. Students will develop a series of smaller mobile applications in weekly lab sessions (using either iOS or Android frameworks). In addition, student teams will build a larger mobile application, as part of a semester-long project, that fills a demand not effectively met in the current market. In the process of developing these applications, students will gain a strong understanding of mobile application development, mobile-centered design, the process of creating and testing innovative application design, and larger principles of software engineering. In weekly labs, students can choose either the Swift/iOS or Kotlin/Android track to complete course work, but lectures will primarily use Swift to illustrate larger points of software architecture and engineering. This course is open only to seniors in the IS major.
Prerequisite: 67-272 Min. grade C
67-490 Practicum in Information Systems
Intermittent
This course is offered only at Carnegie Mellon's campus in Qatar. The practicum in information systems allows students interested in applying skills acquired in the field of information systems in the context of a working environment. Students will complete a project and be accountable to a stakeholder that is external to their program of study. They may shadow and observe practices in the field of information systems, and also perform tasks as assigned. A hands-on experience is expected. By completing this course, students practice desirable skills for employability, such as time management, project management, team work, and professional development.
67-505 Information Systems Internship
Fall and Spring
Practical experience in Information Systems.
67-738 Information & Grid Design
Fall: 9 units
Whether you create, oversee, or want practice in solving problems through grid systems for websites, responsive applications, slide presentations, or data visualizations, this course provides the skills needed to communicate using the interplay of image, text, and typography in grid environments.

Faculty

MOHAMMAD AAZAM, Assistant Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Kyung Hee University ; Carnegie Mellon, 2022–

CHADI AOUN, CMU-Qatar Information Systems Area Head & Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Univeristy of New South Wales; Carnegie Mellon, 2015–

HOUDA BOUAMOR , Associate Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Paris-Sud University ; Carnegie Mellon, 2012–

ANIS CHARFI, Associate Teaching Professor – Dr.Ing., Technische Universitat Darmstadt; Carnegie Mellon, 2015–

SUSAN HAGAN, Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 2004–

C.F. LARRY HEIMANN, Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Washington University (St. Louis); Carnegie Mellon, 1998–

SHIHONG HUANG, Teaching Professor – Ph.D., University of California, Riverside; Carnegie Mellon, 2023–

NAAMA ILANY-TZUR, Assistant Teaching Professor – Ph.D , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Carnegie Mellon, 2023–

DIVAKARAN LIGINLAL, Teaching Professor – Ph.D., University of Arizona - Tucson; Carnegie Mellon, 2009–

SELMA LIMAM MANSAR, Teaching Professor Emeritus – Ph.D., National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble; Carnegie Mellon, 2007–

JOSEPH S. MERTZ, Program Director & Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 1997–

MANORANJAN MOHANTY, Assistant Teaching Professor – Ph.D.,Carnegie Mellon, 2024–

SARA MOUSSAWI, Associate Teaching Professor – Ph.D. , City University of New York; Carnegie Mellon, 2016-–

DANIEL PHELPS, Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus – Ph.D., Florida State University; Carnegie Mellon, 2007–

JULIA POEPPING, Director of Partnership Development – Masters, University of Pittsburgh ; Carnegie Mellon, 2019–

JERIA QUESENBERRY, Teaching Professor & Dietrich College Associate Dean of Faculty – Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University; Carnegie Mellon, 2007–

RAJA SOORIAMURTHI, Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Indiana University; Carnegie Mellon, 2007–

XIAOYING TU, Assistant Teaching Professor – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University; Carnegie Mellon, 2020–

SAVANID (NUI) VATANASAKDAKUL, Associate Teaching Professor – PhD., University of New South Wales; Carnegie Mellon, 2018–

RANDY S. WEINBERG, Teaching Professor Emeritus – Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Carnegie Mellon, 1998–

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