Metropolitan State University College of Arts and Sciences

Information and Computer Sciences Department

Alternative Electives

If you are pursuing a degree in either Computer Information Systems or Computer Science, you are encouraged to select your elective credits in the major with a focused area of concentration in mind. By engaging in a clearly defined area of concentration with your elective credits, you will be enhancing your ability to market yourself as a computer professional.

In most cases, a strong technical focus based on upper division Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) courses is most desirable. Any upper division ICS course is acceptable for the CIS major and most are acceptable for the CS major.

In addition, many business courses are good options for Computer Information Systems majors and a strong math background is encouraged for Computer Science majors. Our industry advisors especially recommend project management experience such as MISD 420 Project Management.

Your academic advisor can be of assistance to you as you consider your elective options. Although there are many acceptable elective courses, you must have your advisor's approval for elective courses that either are lower division or are not offered by the Information and Computer Sciences Department. (These courses have the ICS prefix.)

A list of suggested elective courses offered outside the Information and Computer Sciences Department is shown here. Other courses may also be acceptable. Consult your advisor.

Additional Suggested Elective Courses (Advisor Approval Required)	CIS	CS
DSCI 420 Project Management	X	X
DSCI 431 Managerial Problem-solving and Decision-making Methods	X
DSCI 434 Introduction to Operations Management	X
DSCI 532 Introduction to Management Science	X
MIS 310 Principles of Management Information Systems	X
MIS 312 Administration of the Management Information Systems Function	X
MIS 462 Management of Distributed Computing	X
MIS 463 Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation	X
MIS 467 Telecommunications and Internet Management	X
Math 210 Calculus I	X	required
Math 211 Calculus II	X	X
Math 251 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (calculus-based)	X	X
Math 310 Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus	X	X
Math 315 Linear Algebra and Applications	X	X
Math 340 Mathematical Modeling	X	X
Math 350 Ordinary Differential Equations	X	X
Math 360 Operations Research	X	X
Math 375 Complex Variables	X	X
Math 401 Introduction to Analysis	X	X
Math 405 Partial Differential Equations	X	X
Math 420 Numerical Analysis	X	X
Math 450 Advanced Operations Research	X	X
Math 471 Abstract Algebra	X	X
MdSt 361 Visual Communication	X
MdSt 382 Multimedia: The Digital Age	X
MdSt 580 Issues in Communication Technology	X
Phil 327 Ethics in the Information Age	X
Psyc 303 Artificial Intelligence	X
Psyc 317 Human Factors	X
Psyc 319 The Impact of Technology on Human and Organizational Behavior	X

To contact the Information and Computer Sciences Department, please call 651-793-1470.

To contact the College of Arts and Sciences, please call 651-793-1440.