Department of
Management
Location Location & Hours
Address, RBB 305
M-F, 8am-5pm
Map
Contact
e-mail send e-mail
Phone (850) 644-5505

MIS Fast Facts

Q: I hear MIS involves a lot of programming. Is that true?

A: No, that is not true. In fact, you can major in MIS without taking any programming classes at all.

Q: No programming? How is that possible?

A: MIS has such a wide range of job opportunities that you can can still work in the technology field without programming. Consequently, the MIS curriculum has a "managerial track" for students who do not want to program but still want a career that involves the management of technology in businesses. There is a "technical track" for students who enjoy programming and who seek an education with more exposure to how technology works internally.

Q: I heard there are no jobs in MIS. Is that true?

A: No, that is not true. In fact, 7 of the 10 fastest growing job fields involve technology (the other 3 are in healthcare). Employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow 16% over the 2006 – 2016 decade, according to the US government Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008 – 09 edition). The Handbook indicates "prospects for qualified computer and information systems managers should be excellent."

Q: But I know I've heard about MIS jobs being sent to other countries. What's that all about?

A: Did you know that hundreds of thousands of US tax returns were processed in other countries in 2008? All functional areas of business are being outsourced to other countries if doing so is cost effective. The MIS jobs that have been sent to other countries are typically programming jobs that an FSU MIS graduate would not have been hired for anyway.

Q: So what kind of job can I expect to get?

A: MIS graduates design technology-based solutions for corporations. These solutions typically improve the operations of the corporation or enhance its competitive advantage.

Q: What's the difference between CS, IS, and MIS? What is the difference in graduates and starting jobs?

A: Information Studies (IS), MIS, and Computer Science (CS) graduates may end up competing for the same starting positions; there are a lot of similarities in the coverage of the three programs. The distinctions may be viewed as ones of emphasis: CS emphasizes programming and efficiency/effectiveness in computation approaches; IS emphasizes the needs of the information user and management of the information resource of the organization; MIS emphasizes systems to make the organization more efficient and effective. It may be helpful to remember that CS came out of mathematics (so there is a strong flavor of science and math), IS came out of library science (hence the emphasis on the user), and MIS came out of management (thus an emphasis on business processes). A short discussion of the optional majors (prepared by the CS department but with input from MIS and IS) can be found here. CS graduates tend to be much more experienced with programming and software development skills than MIS graduates, especially with respect to low-level programming such as at the operating system level. IS students graduate with more "hands on" and practical experience (e.g., in setting up networks and preparing web sites) that has immediate value to employers than MIS graduates. MIS graduates have more people skills, project management, and teamwork experience than CS grads and a broader business perspective than IS grads, so they tend to move into positions where they are managing the design and development of systems solutions for companies faster than the other majors.

Q: Who do I turn to for advising?

A: That depends. If you have questions about non-MIS requirements (for example, about general business courses that you took at another university and want to transfer to FSU for credit), then you should go to the advisors in RBB 328. If you have questions about the MIS major, you should see the MIS undergraduate advisor, Prof. Paradice. His office is RBA 325.

Q: Is it feasible to get a minor in Computer Science? What is required?

A: Yes. The requirements are posted here.

Q: I am a sophomore (or a freshman) and want to be an MIS major. What courses should I take now?

A: First review the requirements as shown on the web site [click here]. Next, stop by the College of Business Advising Center (RBB 328) to discuss any questions regarding non-ISM courses. Finally, if you still have questions that are not answered in these two steps, you can email the MIS Department Assistant, Ms. Lucio-Walker. She will try to get an answer for you.

Q: When can I start taking ISM courses?

A: When you declare an MIS major. This is done at the CoB Advising Office, RBB 328.

Q: When can I declare MIS as a major?

A: You may declare the MIS major as soon as you have satisfied the admission requirements for this major. The admission requirements for MIS majors are the same as the admission requirements for all business majors [click here to review].

Q: I'm confused--what is the difference between IMS, MIS, and ISM?

A: It's not surprising. IMS was the old department name: Information and Management Sciences. You shouldn't see it anymore unless you have out-dated materials. MIS is the major and is also now the department name: Management Information Systems. ISM is the statewide course prefix for all courses in Information Systems Management.