Accelerated Information Systems Curriculum & Specializations
Transform your career by earning your Northwestern Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) degree in just one year. As an MSIS candidate, you will benefit from a dynamic curriculum that mirrors current industry systems and methodologies, emphasizing design, implementation, evaluation, and modeling. You'll develop strong relationships by learning in a cohort filled with a diverse group of professionals. This program curriculum requires completion of 11 courses. Choose from two specializations to focus on your area of interest and build the skills you need to advance your career.
You can earn your master's in information systems in one year by taking two on-campus courses and one online course over the fall, winter and spring quarters, with the final two courses over the summer term. On-campus courses are held at our Chicago location. Benefit from strong relationships built in a cohort and from learning with diverse groups of professionals — many who are highly-placed in their fields. International and domestic students are encouraged to apply for the accelerated option. Admitted international students are eligible to apply for and receive a student visa.
Please note that there are differences in the tuition for the Accelerated MSIS and part-time MSIS programs.
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CORE COURSES:CIS 413 Telecommunications and Computer Networks
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.
CIS 414 Object-Oriented Programming – OR – MSDS 430 Python for Data Science
CIS 414 Object-Oriented Programming
Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a widely used approach for decomposing complex software systems. By supporting testing, maintenance, and communication within and across teams, OOP increases responsiveness to business needs while lowering the total cost of ownership. Java has become the most popular object-oriented programming language, thanks to key features such as its emphasis on the essential concept of an interface, its thorough standard library, and its portable virtual machine. In this course, students will learn how to apply object-oriented techniques to divide and conquer technical challenges by writing Java programs that address some of the most common issues encountered in commercial applications.
Students are free to contact the instructor prior to the start of the quarter to ensure they have installed the proper software and are competent in using it.
MSDS 430 Python for Data Science
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.
CIS 417 Database Systems Design and Implementation
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.
CIS 498 Computer Information Systems Project – OR – CIS 590 Capstone Research
CIS 498 Computer Information Systems Project
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 414, CIS 417, and CIS 494 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.
CIS 590 Capstone Research
See the SPS Graduate Academic Catalog for CIS 590 Capstone Research guidelines.
Information Systems Management Specialization
The specialization in Information Systems Management introduces students to key information system management best practices, IT strategy development, project management methods, information security and technology management techniques that apply to the entire system life cycle. The specialization emphasizes management techniques and methods used to ensure the successful implementation and ongoing operations of information technology capabilities that produce value for the business. Students will learn various approaches to develop IT strategies, evaluate emerging technologies, keep information secure, manage technology project implementations, and develop frameworks to apply to the ongoing management and operation of application and information technology portfolios.
The specialization requires completion of the four courses below plus any three electives from the MSIS curriculum.
CIS 457 Management of Information Security
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 413-0 or CIS 413-DL
- Recommended: CIS 452-0 or CIS 452-DL and CIS 455-0 or CIS 455-DL
CIS 460 Information Technology Management
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.
CIS 465 Information Technology Strategy
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.
CIS 494 Project Management Concepts
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.
Information Systems Security Specialization
With the proliferation of internet-enabled devices, social media use and software-dependent organizations, securing and safeguarding data, information and business processes is an ever-increasing urgent concern, especially in a post-9/11 world. The information systems security specialization focuses on timely and distinctive skills that allow students to design secured information systems and make recommendations for the protection of sensitive corporate data in accordance with commerce and privacy regulations. Students learn how to plan, budget for and implement secure network systems (LAN, WAN, wireless, mobile, IoT, AR) and lead organizational staff in the secure exchange of digital information across a variety of platforms. Topics include: VPN, firewalls, intrusion detection systems and defensive strategies, cryptography, social engineering, phishing, anti-virus, anti-spam, ethical hacking, ransomware attacks and application security techniques. Students also learn the managerial and administrative aspects of information security such as risk analysis, vulnerability analysis and remediation, network security architectures, policy development and enforcement, legal/regulatory compliance issues, risk management, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery preparation and execution.
The specialization requires completion of the four courses below plus any three electives from the MSIS curriculum.
CIS 452 Fundamentals of Network Security
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.
CIS 455 Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
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.
CIS 457 Management of Information Security
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 413-0 or CIS 413-DL
- Recommended: CIS 452-0 or CIS 452-DL and CIS 455-0 or CIS 455-DL
CIS 494 Project Management Concepts
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.
