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Computer Information Systems, B.S.
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Computer Science and Computer Information Systems (CIS) are related fields within the broader realm of computing, but they have different focuses and areas of emphasis. CIS blends aspects of computer science with business administration and management principles and emphasizes the application of technology to meet the information needs of businesses and organizations.
Computer Information Systems
The Computer Information Systems degree program is oriented toward computer applications in management-related problems. The program emphasizes functional areas of management, including accounting, production, marketing, and finance and the applications of computers in these areas. The curriculum includes coursework in business management, project management, and communication to prepare students to bridge the gap between technical solutions and business objectives.
Careers
- Systems Design and Analysis
- Database Administration
- IT Management
- Information Retrieval
- Applications Programming
- Project Management
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Computer Information Systems Curriculum
First-Year Student
First Semester Curriculum
- ENGL 1030 - Composition and Rhetoric (3 Credits)
- MATH 1020 - Business Calculus I 3 Credits 1 or MATH 1060 - Calculus of One Variable I (4 Credits)
- Introduction to Computing Requirement (4 Credits)
- Natural Science Requirement (4 Credits)
- Elective (1 Credit )
Second Semester Curriculum
- ECON 2000 - Economic Concepts (3 Credits) or ECON 2110 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credits or ECON 2120 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3 Credits)
- MATH 2070 - Business Calculus II (3 Credits) or MATH 1080 - Calculus of One Variable II (4 Credits)
- Arts and Humanities (Non-Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 4
- Introduction to Computing Requirement (4 Credits)
- Natural Science Requirement (3 Credits)
- Elective (1 Credit)
B.S. Computer Information Systems: 122
Complete curriculum and program requirements for the Computer Information Systems, B.S. can be found in the Clemson Course Catalog.
Combined Bachelors/Masters
The School of Computing allows students to apply up to nine hours of graduate credit (6000- and 8000-level courses) toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students participating in this program must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.4 and be admitted to the Graduate School prior to registering for graduate courses.
Combined Program Overview -
Department Honors Program
Departmental Honors in computer science requires taking a junior-year honors seminar and a senior-year honors thesis (for a total of 7-8 credit hours). Please see Chris Plaue for honors advising.
What do I need to do to get into the School of Computing Honors Program?
- In your junior year, sign up for CPSC H3950 for 1 credit hour. This is the SOC's Honors Seminar, the objective of which is to introduce students to the research going on in the different labs in the SoC. By the end of the seminar, the student should know their direction for Honors research.
After I take CPSC H3950, what do I do?
- You need to find a faculty member in the SoC who can serve as your Honors research advisor. You would work with this faculty to determine the details of your Honors research work.
- This faculty should ask the SoC to create a CPSC4950 section- you are required to take 6 credit hours of CPSC H4950 using your advisor's section.
Can I substitute CPSC H3950 or CPSC 4950 for CPSC 491 hours?
- No, this is not allowed.
Do CPSC H4950 hours count for CS graduation?
- Yes. It contributes 6 credit hours of 400-level CS coursework.
Can I take a graduate-level course (800 or above) for honors credit?
- No
If I am not in Clemson Honors, can I still do SOC Department Honors?
- Yes, please see Honors College Admissions
Are there any honors CS classes?
- Yes, but it depends on the particular semester. Please consult the appropriate course schedule. Please note that you can always negotiate a 'contract' with a course instructor.
What do I need to do when I graduate (and have fulfilled the SoC department honors requirements)?
- You MUST submit a completed Honors Candidacy form. This is usually due at the very beginning of your final semester.
- You need to send your final honors project report/paper (in PDF format) to the advisor and the Honors College office. You should submit this before final exams begin.
- Inform your advisor at the beginning of your final semester so that you can schedule your honors presentation (note that in some semesters, we will not have presentations even though honors students are graduating - it depends on timing).
- For further details, see the Departmental Honors page within the Honors College.
I am interested in minoring in the Digital Product Arts (DPA) program. How can I get further information?
- View the DPA minor page.
Are there any examples of School of Computing Honors Theses that I can look at?
- Yes! Several are posted on the Honors Thesis Guidance page.
I am not yet a junior. Can I begin doing department honors work?
- You are free to find a topic and a faculty research advisor.
- Alternatively, you can join a creative inquiry group. In fact, we recommend that all new Honors CS students join a CI group during their first semester.
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Applying to the B.S. or Bachelors/Masters Program
Undergraduate Degree
Applicants will apply to Clemson as first-year students if they are without college credit or if they earned college credit prior to high school graduation. Students who change majors to Computer Science must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher.
Bachelors-to-Graduate Program
Application for this combined degree program should occur at the end of the junior year to meet the academic standing and GPA requirements. Application details are available in the Academic Regulations section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures Handbook.
How to Apply
Clemson University offers a Coalition Application, Clemson Application, and the Common Application. To learn more about the application process, deadlines, requirements and what to expect after applying, please review the First-Year Application Process.
The GS6-Bachelor-to-Graduate Plan form on the graduate school site (Forms -> Current Students) will serve as your application to the bioengineering graduate program – no additional application is required. However, while the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not mandatory, some fellowship applications may require GRE scores.