California State University, Fresno
General Catalog
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Info Systems and DS



You are in the official 1997-98 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

Department of
Information Systems and
Decision Sciences

The Sid Craig School of Business
PETER SIMIS, Chair
Peters Business Building, Room 287
(559) 278-2823
FAX: (559) 278-4911

Visit our Web site

B.S. in Business Administration
Information Systems Option

General Business Minor

Certificate in Business Information Systems

Business Teaching Credential

Faculty


Peter Simis, Chair

Randy J. Anderson
Donald L. Beringson
Kelly J. Black
Priscilla M. Chaffe-Stengel
Harry G. Costis
Mostafa Elhag
Myron E. Hatcher
Charlotte J. Hiatt
Richard C. Lacy
Patricia A. LaRosa
Wallace C. Liu
William S. Mallios
Kathleen E. Moffitt
Arlene A. Motz
Sasan Rahmatian
Gayle A. Sobolik
Rafael Solis
Donald N. Stengel
Uthai Tanlamai
Tomasz Wielicki



The computer and information systems are at the forefront of most courses offered in the department. Every course deals with the use of information by managers in support of their decision -making role. Those interested in specializing in the Information Systems option can choose from a broad set of courses designed to prepare one for a challenging and productive job in one of the fastest growing career paths.

The Information Systems Option provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, analyze, and understand managerial problems, design solutions to these problems utilizing the computer, and implement the technology into an organization. Included are courses in systems analysis, data communication, end-user computing and database systems, as well as programming classes.

There are three technical tracks within the IS option. These allow some degree of specialization beyond the option core courses.

  • Information Resource Management. The IRM specialist is able to take on jobs such as network administrator in a firm using local area networks. The training emphasizes management skills needed in a technical area and provides knowledge in hardware evaluation and acquisition.
  • End-User Support. Helping others use the computer to get their job done is the EUS role. This person knows how to get the most from personal productivity software, such as word processors, as well as how to design and implement systems.
  • Systems Design and Programming. Skilled in both traditional and newer computer languages, the systems analyst develops the larger systems that drive most business enterprises. Using a database orientation, this graduate uses fourth-generation language development skills to provide speedy and effective solutions to business problems.


The Certificate in Business Information Systems is directed toward enhancing the knowledge of candidates for entry level data processing related positions. After candidates have demonstrated that they have met prerequisites for the certificate program, the approval of the program coordinator or of the department chair must be obtained before students may enter the program. Each student's individually designed program consists of a five-course sequence chosen with the approval of the certificate program coordinator.

Statistical and Computer Laboratories

In addition to the classroom instruction, guest speakers, and field trips, students who study in the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department are exposed to modern computer laboratories for the quantitative, computer, and business communication classes throughout the semester. The computer laboratories provide the student with the valuable opportunity of hands-on computer experience for such classes as computer programming and statistical analysis. Nine laboratory rooms with over 200 microcomputers are the busiest rooms in the Leon S. Peters Business Building.

Although the Sid Craig School of Business provides excellent computer laboratories, each student majoring in business administration is encouraged to have a personal IBM-compatible computer.

Faculty and Facilities

The Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences employs more than 20 full-time faculty with extensive expertise in systems analysis, systems design, computer language programming, statistics, operations research, quality control, word processing systems, office automation, business communication, and database systems. These faculty come from all over the world and have Ph.D. degrees from major American and foreign universities. The modern computer and statistics laboratories offer students a unique opportunity to become acquainted with the developments in the field of computer technology and applications.