Department of Information and Decision Sciences
Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.
BS in Information and Decision Sciences2402-2404 University Hall (UH)
(312) 996-2676
http://business.uic.edu/ids
Arkalgud Ramaprasad, Professor and Interim Head, prasad@uic.edu
Rachel L. Morrow, Assistant Director of Budget, rlmorrow@uic.edu
Arnita R. Bryant, Customer Service Specialist, bryanta@uic.edu
Undergraduate Programs: 1118 UH
Faculty Advisor: Mary Beth Watson-Manheim, mbwm@uic.edu
The Department of Information and Decision Sciences offers programs and courses in information systems, operations and supply chain management, and business analytics. IDS explores the synergies between information technology, business data and analytics, e-business, supply chain management, and risk management in today’s business organizations. We are committed to educating the next generation of business leaders in these areas at the cutting edge of current business innovations. IDS faculty are active in research on information management, technology and innovation, data and analytics, health informatics, business statistics and forecasting, e-business, supply chain management, mobile computing, and social media.
The curriculum integrates foundational knowledge with experiential learning and real-world projects. Projects with industry partners are a required component of the program. IDS courses reflect technology advancements and changing business needs, to address current areas where there is strong market demand for well-trained business professionals. We look for and develop creative problem-solving strengths in our students, an understanding of business issues in relation to technology, operations and analytics, and encourage students to develop as effective team players with strong ethics, communications skills, and a passion to excel.
Students in the undergraduate IDS major can flexibly tailor their program for specific interests and market needs. With a core of two required courses and real-world project experience, students can select course work for career paths in information technology and applications, data and business analytics, or operations and supply chain management. The program also provides ideal preparation for graduate study leading to the MS in Management Information Systems, Master of Business Administration, and other advanced degrees.
IDS courses are also attractive electives for students across business disciplines like Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, and Management. Courses in Project Management (IDS 312), Web Business (IDS 313), and Spreadsheet Modeling (IDS 331) help students develop broadly useful knowledge and skills that are in demand across business. Students may take these and other individual courses of interest or choose to complete a Minor in Management Information Systems, Business Analytics, or Operations Management.
IDS graduates have a wide range of options for business careers, from strategic and managerial positions with unlimited potential for growth and advancement (business analyst, consultant, project manager) to technical positions that allow maximum career flexibility (application developer, statistician, network specialist, supply chain or e-commerce analyst) and emerging areas (data scientist, web optimization and management, mobile apps, social commerce).
BS in Information and Decision Sciences
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Information and Decision Sciences degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Information and Decision Sciences degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Business Administration section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| BS in Information and Decision Sciences Degree Requirements |
Hours |
| General Course Requirements | 60 |
| Business Core | 33 |
| Major Requirements | 18 |
| Business Electives | 9 |
| Total Hours—BS in Information and Decision Sciences | 120 |
General Course Requirements
See General Course Requirements in the College of Business Administration section for the list of courses needed to meet this requirement.
Business Core
See Business Core in the College of Business Administration section for the list of courses needed to meet this requirement.
Major Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
| One of the following courses: | 3 |
| IDS 201—Business Computing I (3) IDS 331—Business Analysis Using Spreadsheets (3) |
|
| IDS 406—Business Systems Project | 3 |
| IDS 410—Business Database Technology | 3 |
| Nine additional hours of 300- or 400-level courses from the IDS department. |
9 |
| Total Hours—Major Requirements | 18 |
Business Electives
| Courses | Hours |
| Any three 300- or 400-level CBA courses. | 9 |
| Total Hours—Business Electives | 9 |
A course can be used to satisfy only one area of required or elective courses.
See Sample Business Major Curriculum in the College of Business Administration section.
See Academic Honors in the College of Business Administration section.
