Students with a bachelor’s degree in information systems from BYU or another accredited university in the United States may apply to the MISM degree program. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. (e.g. computer science major with a business minor). International transfer student transcripts will be verified by IFELTS and will be considered using the same standards.
Prerequisite Courses
A student who does not have an undergraduate degree in information systems must be 80 percent proficient in the core equivalent skills listed below. The program does not allow provisional admissions.
The junior core equivalent skills must be taken at an accredited college or university and are not available to be taken at BYU.
Core Equivalent Skills
Intro to Computer Programming
Introduction to problem solving using Java and other programming tools. Topics covered include: principles of problem solving, flowcharting and pseudo code, data types, operators, object oriented programming, selection, repetition, arrays, inheritance, packages, exception handling, file I/O, threads, and GUI.
Systems Analysis
Learn object oriented systems analysis and design. Use UML standards to create such models as activity diagrams, use case diagrams, and system sequence diagrams. Learn basics of cost benefit analysis, work breakdown structure, project management, feasibility/risk analysis, graphical user interface design, security, systems development, testing, and system implementation. Use MS Visio and Project software.
Database Systems
Learn conceptual modeling using UML class diagram notation. Learn SQL to extract data from organizational databases. Use SQL to create sequences, create tables, and apply constraints to tables to enforce business rules, insert data, update data, and delete data. Learn how to implement a conceptual diagram in a relational database management system. Understand database logging and transaction management.
Principles of Business Programming
Apply fundamental C# programming skills on projects that focus in advanced programming topics such as object oriented programming, exception handling, delegates, Lambda expressions, threads, arrays, arraylists, stacks, queues, hashtables, dictionary, lists, linked lists, effective web design, ASP.NET MVC, controllers, models, views, HTML helpers, data annotators and validators, authorization and security, Ajax/JQuery, and routing.
Data Communications
Most organizations rely on computer networks to get the right information to the right person at the right time. This course provides an overview of the underlying principles and technologies behind those computer networks and other related infrastructure that allows the transfer of that information to the right people. This course gives students the knowledge and skills that they need for communicating effectively with professionals who focus on providing the communications infrastructure within an organization. Planned topics include:
- General networking concepts, including OSI and DOD stack
- IP Addressing
- ARP/Ping
- Firewalls
- DNS & Host Name Resolution
- NAT
- Routing
- Active Directory
- Email, Data, and Web Services
- Cloud
- Security
Upon completion of this class, you should be able to:
- Set up and configure basic network hardware such as cabling, hubs, switches, and routers
- Design, implement, and manage an IP network with appropriate address and name spaces
- Install, configure, and manage appropriate address and name resolution components for an IP network
- Install, configure, and manage basic network services such as directory, file, mail, and web
- Install, configure, and manage network security components such as filters and firewalls
- Competently converse with IT professionals who specialize in data communications
- Understand and debate current data communications issues
Systems Design and Implementation
Learn how to design business systems. Take the output of the case analysis, which includes use cases, design class diagrams, and other UML documents, and design the business system. Learn concepts such as:
- UML diagrams (especially sequence diagrams, class diagrams)
- Design patterns, especially business design patterns
- Business objects, CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations
Enterprise Application Development
Learn how to program business systems. Take the output of 411, which includes sequence diagrams and class diagrams), and create the actual business system. This includes:
- Web technologies (HTML, Javascript, JQuery, CSS, etc.)
- Database systems
- Server side programming (we do Python and Django)
- Recording a sale, creating product records, tracking inventory
- Business reports
Business Processes and Controls
Learn the basic business processes of business organizations; the key decisions made in each process; the information needed to make the decisions; and the data that needs to be captured, stored, and processed to produce that information. These basic processes include revenue (sale to cash), disbursements (purchase to pay), production (raw materials to finished goods), human resources and payroll, and general ledger and reporting.
Learn the threats to information systems and the controls needed to protect the system from errors and fraud. Learn the basics of the COSO and COBIT control frameworks. Learn how to implement controls in systems to achieve the control objectives of security, privacy, confidentiality, processing integrity, and system availability.
GMAT
The GMAT is required for all students who have not completed the BYU information systems junior core. It is expected that a competitive score is 600 or above. Typically scores below 600 are not considered competitive for admission. If an applicant retakes the GMAT, the higher score is used. No other exams (e.g. GRE) can replace the GMAT.
GPA
The minimum GPA is 3.0 for the last sixty credit hours a student has completed. An average GPA of 3.6 or above would be considered competitive.
Deadline
The application deadline is 1 March. Admission decisions are made by the end of March, and all applicants are notified at that time. Notification will be sent in a letter from Graduate Studies. Applicants who are admitted to the MISM program will receive an email from the department that includes instructions for accepting the admission offer, a proposed graduation plan to be submitted, and registration information.
Application
Students must apply to the MISM program through Graduate Studies. The site includes things to know before applying, cost of attendance, how to apply, an application checklist, and how to check an application’s status.