Academic Program Review SUMMARY*
Department under review:
Information Systems
Date self-study received in Dean’s office: December 9, 2013
Date of external consultant’s review:
April 24, 2013
Date APR received report:
January 3, 2014
APR’S summary of self-study (first two boxes must be completed)
APR’s summary of how the academic program attempts to reach its goals and objectives
and the extent to which those goals and objectives have been achieved.
As part of the mission to prepare students for IT-related careers, the Department of
Information Systems offers a major and a minor in information systems to students who
have been admitted to the College of Business Administration (CBA), and also a minor for
students in the other colleges. The department graduated an average of 14.2 (sd = 3.2)
majors in academic years 2006-07 through 2011-12, with the data showing a modest
upward trend over time (P=.03). The rate of increase has been about three additional
graduates every two years. During this same period the number of minors graduated
ranged from 4 to 10, this time with no significant upward trend over time (P = .160). The
IS major requires 29 credits, 26 of which are accounted for by 8 specific required courses
and three of which are fulfilled by an elective selected by the student from a list of several
IS courses. In addition to these 29 credits, a student must fulfill the CBA core
requirements and General Education requirements in order to graduate with a
baccalaureate degree in IS. In 2013 a minor in health information systems management
(HISM) was approved and is now being offered. The self-study paints a picture of a
department that, though small, is strong on assessment of student learning, values faculty
development, and is quick to respond to changes in the information systems field. The
alacrity of the department in identifying new opportunities and making substantial changes
or innovations was in evidence in the creation of the HISM minor. The department
reported that it had 6 FTE teaching positions at the time of the self study (2012).
APR’s comments including:
Notable Strengths
1. Strong assessment of major program, focusing on three key advanced
courses.
2. Excellent success in placing IS graduates in entry level jobs.
3. Efficient use of courses taught by another department (Computer Science) to
provide three foundational required courses for the IS major.
4. Systematic updating of curriculum, such as the recent addition of the HISM
minor.
5. A faculty that is very productive in the area of research and scholarly work.
Notable Weaknesses
1. While three courses taught by the CS department are currently required for the
IS program, those courses may at some point diverge in content or orientation
(practical vs. theoretical) from what is needed by IS.
2. Not all of the elective courses are offered on a regular basis, limiting the
student’s choice of which elective course to use to complete the major.
3. According to the self study, the program is seriously understaffed. There is
some question as to whether or not the department has enough staff to handle
demand for the HISM minor.
APR comments on any/all of the six specific components of the self-study (if applicable)
Self-Study: Purposes
The department’s goal for its major program is to prepare students for IT-related careers.
A second goal is to contribute to the scholarly output of the CBA. From the self-study it is
clear that these goals are being met. Regarding the first goal, Career Services reported to
the department that from 2001 through 2011, there were only two years in which fewer
than 100% of Information Systems graduates found employment. Those two years were
2002 and 2003, and even in those years the employment rates were over 90%. Not only
is job placement good, the average salaries of IS graduates since 2004 have ranged from
$40,000 to $51,189. Even in the substantial economic downturn in 2008 and 2009
graduates of the IS major program were 100% successful in finding jobs. It is notable that
IS graduates and CS graduates are qualified for some of the same entry level jobs in
business and apparently IS graduates and CS graduates are both successful in getting
these jobs.
Self Study: Curriculum
The major program consists of 29 credits. Of these, 26 are accounted for by 8 specific
required courses. Three of the 8 specific required courses are CS120 (Software design I,
4 credits), CS220 (Software design II, 4 credits), and CS364 (Introduction to database
management systems, 3 credits). These are taught by the Computer Science
Department. Two of the three required CS courses (software design) pose no articulation
problems. However, CS364, which addresses databases, does, as it offers a theoretical
approach, while a more practical approach would be better for the IS program.
Self Study: Assessment of Student Learning & Degree of Program Success
The College of Business Administration established an Assurance of Learning Task Force
in the fall of 2009, which led to the development of overarching CBA student learning
outcomes and a framework for the assessment throughout the college. The CBA has
received national recognition for this. The IS department bases its program assessment
on learning outcomes that can be measured in three upper division courses
corresponding to the three objectives of the IS major. These three objectives are for
students to achieve competency in: (1) problem solving, (2) data communications, and (3)
information systems development. Competency in problem solving and systems
development is assessed in the IS capstone courses, IS401 (Systems Analysis and
Design) and IS411 (Systems Implementation). Competency in data communications is
assessed in IS330 (Business Choices of Data Communications). Exams and projects are
used for assessment in these courses. The self-study presents data indicating a 78% to
91% success rate in students meeting or exceeding expectations. With regard to the
specific elements of competency or traits that the department assesses, it is noted, with
approval, that they are all very general. Students developing these traits should be well
prepared for IT careers in many very different sorts of businesses.
Self-Study: Previous Academic Program Review and New Program Initiatives
The health information systems management (HISM) minor is a new program initiative
that has displaced some of the other electives that the department would like to offer. This
may put students at a disadvantage, because those electives are important. The
department feels that more faculty are needed.
A concern from the 2002 AACSB review was the low quantity of scholarly output by the
department. This has been addressed, and the department is now very productive.
Self-Study: Personnel
The Unit Data Sheet shows that the number of instructional FTE’s in the department
increased from 3 to 6 in the period from Fall 2006 to Fall 2012. Since 2012, growth in the
program has continued and the HISM minor has been approved. It seems likely that
demand for that new minor will be solid, and that there will be a need for additional FTE
beyond the six that the department had in 2012.
Self-Study: Support for Achieving Academic Program Goals (Resources)
The present physical facilities available for instruction are adequate as is the S&E budget
from the CBA Dean. The department recently got lab modernization funds to upgrade
computing equipment in Wing 25. However, lack of personnel jeopardizes the ability of
the IS Department to achieve its goals, going forward.
External Reviewer Recommendations
APR’s Comments on External Reviewer (if applicable)
The Accreditation Agency report addressed the entire CBA and commended the college
on a variety of strengths and effective practices; extending the accreditation another five
years. They did suggest that the college continue to work to enhance the quality and
quantity of intellectual contributions from faculty. From the IS self-study, we see that this
suggestion has already been addressed by the IS department, and the intellectual
contributions of that department are excellent. All departments in the CBA, including
Information Systems, will need to become familiar with the new revised definitions/criteria
for academic and professional qualification that are used in decisions such as hiring and
retaining of faculty.
Department’s response to the Reviewer Recommendations
APR’s Comments on the Department’s Response (if applicable)
Not applicable.
Dean’s Letter
APR’s Comments on Dean’s Letter (if applicable)
The Dean’s letter, dated December 30, 2013, notes that with some growth in the IS
major and minor and in the new HISM minor, the department will likely need additional
FTE. The Dean also mentions that the IS faculty have made significant contributions to
staffing graduate-level classes in the MBA program, another laudable contribution to the
University. The APR Committee concurs with the Dean that the IS major program is a
strong program with excellent employment statistics for graduates, and that there is a
pressing need for more FTE to maintain the current offerings and the growth that was
anticipated in 2012.
APR’s Recommendations (must be completed)
Recommendations:
1. The Department and Dean should work together to address the staffing needs of
the IS programs.
2. Continue the strong assessment program and use it to improve the curriculum.
3. In assessment, continue to focus on general traits that will make graduates flexible
and adaptable to change, since they will be working in a rapidly changing industry.
4. Work with the CS Department to ensure the best possible articulation between the
CS courses that are required in the Information Systems major program and the
goals of that program.
X No serious areas to address – review in next regularly scheduled cycle
□ Some areas to address – review in next regularly scheduled cycle
□ Some areas to address – department should submit short report on progress to Fac
Senate/Provost’s Office in 3 years
* APR’s report to faculty senate will consist of this completed form in electronic form.