It is a rigorous, challenging major for those students wanting to pursue a career of solving business problems through the use of information technology. This duality also adds to the challenge of successfully completing the requirements of the major. The essence of the ISM program is the integration of the two disciplines of computer science and business management economics. The ISM program of study at UC Santa Cruz leads to a B.S. degree. The curriculum is designed to provide a balance of courses in computer programming, systems analysis and design, database systems, and telecommunications with courses in economics and business.
Students gain a solid background in mathematics, economics and business, and computer science.
The ISM major is intended for students with an interest in both computer technology and business. Completion of business-oriented computer literacy and basic programming courses is of benefit to students entering this major. Completion of comparable college courses at other institutions serves to strengthen the preparation of a student for the information systems management major. Courses taken at other institutions which emphasize applications of programming languages often do not count toward the ISM major at UC Santa Cruz. In order to plan for completion of these course requirements within the normative time, students should consult with an adviser as early as possible.