MS in Information Systems, Accelerated Program Curriculum | Northwestern University School of Professional Studies - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

This course provides an overview of telecommunications and data communications. Course work includes local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) components such as switches, routers, telecommunication circuits, and protocols. Advanced topics such as information security, information assurance, advanced networking technologies, and others will be overviewed as well.

This course covers the fundamentals of database design and management. Topics include the principles and methodologies of database design, database application development, normalization, referential integrity, security, relational database models, and database languages. Principles are applied by performing written assignments and a project using an SQL database system.

This course introduces effective frameworks and methods for developing information technology and systems strategies that focus on meeting enterprises business objectives and on leveraging IT to competitively extend business capabilities. Topics covered include business driver identification and business and IT alignment; key technology components of the IT strategy, including enterprise architecture, enterprise systems, SOA and other integration technologies, networks, and data management; portfolio management; sourcing and hosting alternatives; emerging technologies and entrepreneurship.

This course provides experience in the development of large multi-tier information systems. The project will cover all aspects of the software development life cycle (i.e., analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment), as well as project management and software configuration management. Students will use Java, an object request broker, and a database management system to develop a three-tier application using a use-case-driven, iterative, and incremental methodology.

The earliest students may take this course is in the quarter of their final class. Students must have completed CIS 413, CIS 417, CIS 494, and MSDS 430 prior to taking this course; they may not take CIS 498 alongside one of these core courses.

Note: Registration for CIS 498 will be closed one week prior to the start of the term.

This course introduces core features of the Python programming language, demonstrating fundamental concepts in computer science. It provides an in-depth discussion of data representation strategies, showing how data structures are implemented in Python and demonstrating tools for data science and software engineering. Working on data analysis problems, students employ various programming paradigms, including functional programming, object- oriented programming, and data stream processing. Special attention is paid to the standard Python library and packages for analytics and modeling.

This course introduces participants to the technical, administrative and governance aspects of information security management system (ISMS). Participants are provided resources and tools essential to design, develop, implement, and manage an effective security management program. The course will also present the elements and actions required to develop an effective and practical information security strategy. Course topics include operational, physical, and network security. The course will examine the relation between information security, incident response, risk management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Other discussion topics include: COBIT, Sarbanes Oxley, PCI – DSS, and selected Compliance topics. Beginning preparation for the CISSP Industry exam is also included in the course.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 413
• Recommended: CIS 452 and CIS 455

This course introduces students to the key challenges and responsibilities of managing information technology and an information technology organization. Students gain knowledge of the various facets of managing information technology including how to develop an IT strategy aligned with business strategy. Topics covered include the IT solution lifecycle, IT service management, IT supplier management and sourcing, ongoing IT technology operations, governance, business continuity, budgeting, benchmarking, and industry standard management frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT.

It is highly recommended that students complete CIS 413, CIS 452, CIS 455 and 457 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking this course.

This course introduces effective frameworks and methods for developing information technology and systems strategies that focus on meeting enterprises business objectives and on leveraging IT to competitively extend business capabilities. Topics covered include business driver identification and business and IT alignment; key technology components of the IT strategy, including enterprise architecture, enterprise systems, SOA and other integration technologies, networks, and data management; portfolio management; sourcing and hosting alternatives; emerging technologies and entrepreneurship.

It is highly recommended that students complete CIS 413, CIS 452, CIS 455, 457 and 460 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking this course.

With increased dependence by organizations and individuals on secure information technology, this course provides a hands-on approach to security issues and techniques throughout various areas of cyberspace. Technical topics will be explored including security controls and technologies, cybersecurity law, auditing and cybersecurity programs, risk assessment, and mitigation. Tools and topics used to both control and compromise these systems and networks, and how to assuage these attacks, will be demonstrated. This course will provide learners with insight into defining problems in the field along with an understanding of the negative effects already experienced throughout the history of internet-available data, and those predicted for the future.

Prerequisite: Students must complete CIS 413 prior to taking this course or possess equivalent knowledge and skills.

Enterprise Security Strategy helps students develop an understanding of the core components of a holistic information security program. Coursework includes the study of industry standard frameworks for risk management, organizational structures, budgeting, executive communication, and overall program development. In addition, students will examine effective policy strategies, privacy program development and understand how security programs are managed in real organizations.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 413

This course provides an in-depth study of the solutions necessary to support business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR). Students will learn how to analyze the BC/DR requirements for an organization and ensure these requirements are met by implementing business solutions. This course will be taught from the business perspective. The course will utilize several business case studies with real-world scenarios in order to teach detailed BC/DR requirements, design, and implementation, including maintenance of the BC/DR plan. Coursework includes the study of risks, risk management, and business impact assessment (BIA), responding to a disaster, disaster recovery strategies, business continuity planning, and creating a recovery plan. Additional discussions will focus on designing disaster recovery solutions and surveying appropriate and current technologies and techniques.

CIS 413 is required prior to taking this course and it's highly recommended that students take CIS 452 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking it.

This course introduces participants to the technical, administrative and governance aspects of information security management system (ISMS). Participants are provided resources and tools essential to design, develop, implement, and manage an effective security management program. The course will also present the elements and actions required to develop an effective and practical information security strategy. Course topics include operational, physical, and network security. The course will examine the relation between information security, incident response, risk management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Other discussion topics include: COBIT, Sarbanes Oxley, PCI – DSS, and selected Compliance topics. Beginning preparation for the CISSP Industry exam is also included in the course.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 413
• Recommended: CIS 452 and CIS 455

This course focuses on the design and development of object-oriented web applications. The client-server model and 3-tier architecture are discussed and analyzed. Topics covered include object-oriented methodology, enterprise software application architecture, design patterns, Enterprise JavaBeans, database connectivity, and web and application server development and technologies such as servlets, JSP, XML, HTML, security, JDBC, RMI, and multithreading.

Prerequisites: 

• Required: MSDS 430 or CIS 414
• Recommended: CIS 417

Provides students with advanced database administration and management concepts that are needed to perform the duties of a Database Administrator (DBA). Subjects will focus primarily on relational database systems, as well as introduction to PL/SQL and NoSQL. Topics include: server installation and maintenance, security principles, application design, high availability, disaster recovery, capacity planning, metadata management, backup/recovery techniques, PL/SQL, NoSQL.

Prerequisites:

Required: CIS 414-DL or MSDS 430

Recommended: CIS 417

This course provides an overview of machine learning concepts, techniques, and tools, that will help students deepen their understanding of applying machine learning to real-world complex datasets to design intelligent systems. Students will learn machine learning techniques that can optimize business processes, identify new revenue models, drive digital transformation, and support evidence-based decision-making in industries such as finance, retail, and healthcare.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 417 and MSDS 430

Data and Digital platforms are key investments that help companies gain competitive edge by enabling new digital business models and improving enterprise business performance. In this course students will gain hands-on experience in the implementation of Data and Digital platforms by leveraging public cloud and emerging technologies (e.g., big data technologies, AI/ML, APIs, digital twin, and IoT). This course will also prepare students to design and deliver enterprise scale digital transformation initiatives.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 414 or MSDS 430
• Recommended: CIS 417 and CIS 435

Note: students in the Information Systems Management specialization may take this course as an elective. Students in the Information Systems Security specialization take this as a required specialization course and cannot take this as an elective.

With increased dependence by organizations and individuals on secure information technology, this course provides a hands-on approach to security issues and techniques throughout various areas of cyberspace. Technical topics will be explored including security controls and technologies, cybersecurity law, auditing and cybersecurity programs, risk assessment, and mitigation. Tools and topics used to both control and compromise these systems and networks, and how to assuage these attacks, will be demonstrated. This course will provide learners with insight into defining problems in the field along with an understanding of the negative effects already experienced throughout the history of internet-available data, and those predicted for the future.

Prerequisite: Students must complete CIS 413 prior to taking this course or possess equivalent knowledge and skills.

Note: students in the Information Systems Management specialization may take this course as an elective. Students in the Information Systems Security specialization take this as a required specialization course and cannot take this as an elective.

Enterprise Security Strategy helps students develop an understanding of the core components of a holistic information security program. Coursework includes the study of industry standard frameworks for risk management, organizational structures, budgeting, executive communication, and overall program development. In addition, students will examine effective policy strategies, privacy program development and understand how security programs are managed in real organizations.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 413

Note: students in the Information Systems Management specialization may take this course as an elective. Students in the Information Systems Security specialization take this as a required specialization course and cannot take this as an elective.

This course provides an in-depth study of the solutions necessary to support business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR). Students will learn how to analyze the BC/DR requirements for an organization and ensure these requirements are met by implementing business solutions. This course will be taught from the business perspective. The course will utilize several business case studies with real-world scenarios in order to teach detailed BC/DR requirements, design, and implementation, including maintenance of the BC/DR plan. Coursework includes the study of risks, risk management, and business impact assessment (BIA), responding to a disaster, disaster recovery strategies, business continuity planning, and creating a recovery plan. Additional discussions will focus on designing disaster recovery solutions and surveying appropriate and current technologies and techniques.

CIS 413 is required prior to taking this course and it's highly recommended that students take CIS 452 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking it.

Note: students in the Information Systems Security specialization may take this course as an elective. Students in the Information Systems Management specialization take this as a required specialization course and cannot take this as an elective.

This course introduces students to the key challenges and responsibilities of managing information technology and an information technology organization. Students gain knowledge of the various facets of managing information technology including how to develop an IT strategy aligned with business strategy. Topics covered include the IT solution lifecycle, IT service management, IT supplier management and sourcing, ongoing IT technology operations, governance, business continuity, budgeting, benchmarking, and industry standard management frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT.

It is highly recommended that students complete CIS 413, CIS 452, CIS 455 and 457 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking this course.

Note: students in the Information Systems Security specialization may take this course as an elective. Students in the Information Systems Management specialization take this as a required specialization course and cannot take this as an elective.

This course introduces students to the key challenges and responsibilities of managing information technology and an information technology organization. Students gain knowledge of the various facets of managing information technology including how to develop an IT strategy aligned with business strategy. Topics covered include the IT solution lifecycle, IT service management, IT supplier management and sourcing, ongoing IT technology operations, governance, business continuity, budgeting, benchmarking, and industry standard management frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT.

It is highly recommended that students complete CIS 413, CIS 452, CIS 455 and 457 or possess equivalent knowledge and skills prior to taking this course.

This course will cover core concepts surrounding digital transformation, including what it means to transform a business or public institution, what factors go into defining digital transformation, and what success looks like in digital transformation cases. Students will craft a framework for understanding how to build digital transformation strategies and how to identify and prioritize transformation opportunities. Students will also learn about the cultural, regulatory, and technological constraints impacting digital transformation. Students will then present the case for transformative change in a real-world target organization of their choice.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 417
• Required: MSDS 430 or CIS 414

This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead business transformation initiatives using digital technologies. The course will cover the basics of business transformation, including the key drivers and benefits, as well as the challenges and risks associated with it. The course will then dive into advanced technologies that are transforming different aspects of a business, including operations, customer experience, and new business models. These technologies will include Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and cloud computing. This course will include hands-on exercises and case studies to provide students with practical experience in implementing digital transformation initiatives using these technologies. This is a hands-on course where students will select business cases for digital transformation and, at the conclusion of the course, present a functioning prototype using digital technologies learned during the course.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 414 or MSDS 430
• Recommended: CIS 417

This course explores the role of enterprise architecture in effective implementation of IT investments to achieve business goals. In this course, students will explore the basics of EA, such as reference architectures, architecture patterns, and will apply the methods and tools including TOGAF guides to design architectures for real-world initiatives. Additionally, students will learn how to architect enterprise level software solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams including business, security, privacy, development, governance, infrastructure, operations, and IT program management.

Prerequisites:

• Required: CIS 414 or MSDS 430
• Recommended: CIS 417

The course will prepare students to apply Agile ways of working to projects, teams and organizations. Students will begin applying Agile project management techniques at the team or project level. By the end of the course students will be able to initiate, plan and execute an Agile project. A secondary focus of the course will be on those cultural and environment factors that impact the adoption of agile and ultimately successful agile transformation across an enterprise. Students will be able to develop and defend a proposal for enterprise agile transformation.

Prerequisites: 

• Required: MSDS 475

This course addresses writing and communication applicable to a variety of career and professional occasions. Students will learn to analyze their audience and cultural context, determine an informative or persuasive purpose, and employ diverse writer's strategies. Additionally, students will learn how good communication practices can prevent or resolve professional challenges.