Computer Information Systems

Computer Information Systems

A.A.S. Degree

Computer Information Systems

The computer helps people do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. Behind the scenes of every organization are dedicated men and women who develop computer systems to perform needed functions. The CIS program will prepare you for a career in many areas of the computer field including network support, computer programming, database design, web site design or user support.

The CIS program features coursework in several programming languages, systems analysis, network design, database design, and software applications. Additional business classes provide the necessary background in how computers are used in the workplace.

Computer information processing is among the fastest growing fields in business, industry, government, and education. The number of entry-level positions available in this field continues to exceed the number of qualified persons to fill them.

Careers on Career Coach

Graduates have been placed in many firms including Borg-Warner Automotive, The CBORD Group, Inc., Cornell Federal Credit Union, Cornell University, Enlyten, Inc., Ithaca College, Marietta Corporation, Monarch Machine Tool Inc., Pall Trinity Micro Corporation, Precision Filters, Inc., Thomas Associates Architects, Engineers, PC, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Select a career below to connect to Career Coach and find information about that career including median salary and job postings.

Explore more career options: A.A.S.

Program Chair

Faculty - Tammy Smith

Tammy Smith

Professor, Computer Information Systems

Read more

Transfer Options

Although the computer information systems A.A.S. degree is not designed primarily for transfer, graduates have continued their educations at four-year institutions. Recent transfer institutions include:

  • University at Albany
  • Binghamton University
  • SUNY College at Cortland
  • SUNY Polytechnic Institute
  • Ithaca College
  • Rochester Institute of Technology

Degree Requirements

A.A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 62 credits

Fall Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
BUAD106, Foundations of Business, 3 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CAPS121, Introduction to Spreadsheets, 1 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CAPS123, Advanced Spreadsheets, 1 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CAPS152, Web Page Design, 1 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 100. A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a 3-credit Liberal Arts Elective. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
CIS108, Introduction to Computer Information Systems Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
CSCI160, Computer Science I Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

SUNY GEN ED Social Sciences Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH201, Introduction to Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH220, Dev Anthropology in a Globalizing World, 3 cr.
ANTH260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ANTH295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr.
ECON101, Introduction to Economics, 3 cr.
ECON120, Principles of Microeconomics, 3 cr.
ECON121, Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 cr.
ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
ENVS295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
GEOG120, World Regional Geography, 3 cr.
HSTY260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
HUMS206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
IED260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
POSC103, American National Government, 3 cr.
POSC104, American State and Local Government, 3 cr.
POSC107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
POSC260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
PSYC101, Psychology of Personal Growth, 3 cr.
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC201, Social Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC205, Childhood Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC207, Adolescent Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC208, Adult Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC209, Abnormal Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC218, Educational Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC263, Development Across the Lifespan, 3 cr.
SOCE201, Human Sexuality, 3 cr.
SOCE205, Organizational Behavior, 3 cr.
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr.
SOCI201, Sociology of the Family, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
SOCI205, Contemporary Social Problems, 3 cr.
SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
SOCI207, Introduction to Criminology, 3 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 17
CAPS131, Introduction to Databases, 1 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CAPS133, Advanced Databases, 1 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS132, Network Design, 3 cr.
CIS 132 is only offered in the Spring semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS213, Programming in C++, 3 cr.
CIS 213 is only offered in the Spring semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS214, Systems Analysis and Design, 3 cr.
CIS 214 is only offered in the Spring semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 

SUNY GEN ED Mathematics Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
The SUNY GEN ED Mathematics Elective must be MATH 120 or higher.
MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr.
MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr.
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr.
MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr.
MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr.
MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr.
MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Fall Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
CIS215, Operating Systems, 3 cr.
CIS 215 is only offered in the Fall semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS220, Database Concepts, 3 cr.
CIS 220 is only offered in the Fall semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS223, Programming in C++ Advanced Topics, 3 cr.
CIS 223 is only offered in the Fall semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
ENGL201, Fundamentals of Speech Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL204, Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

SUNY GEN ED Natural Sciences Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ASTR101, Introductory Astronomy, 3 cr.
BIOL100, Human Biology, 3 cr.
BIOL101, Principles of Biology I, 3 cr.
BIOL102, Principles of Biology II, 3 cr.
BIOL104, General Biology I, 4 cr.
BIOL105, General Biology II, 4 cr.
BIOL112, Essentials of Medical Microbiology, 3 cr.
BIOL114, Essentials of Nutrition, 3 cr.
BIOL115, Field Natural History, 3 cr.
BIOL116, Tropical Field Natural History, 4 cr.
BIOL119, Botany, 3 cr.
BIOL131, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL132, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL201, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL202, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL211, Ecology, 4 cr.
BIOL216, General Microbiology, 4 cr.
CHEM101, Principles of Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM102, Principles of Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM107, General Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM108, General Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM205, Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM206, Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr.
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
GEOL101, Introductory Geology, 3 cr.
METR101, Introductory Meteorology, 3 cr.
PHSC104, General Physics I, 4 cr.
PHSC105, General Physics II, 4 cr.
PHSC211, Physics I (Mechanics and Heat), 4 cr.
PHSC212, Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism), 4 cr.
PHSC213, Physics III (Waves, Optics and Modern Physics), 4 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
BUAD203, Business Communications, 3 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS227, Web Programming & Design, 3 cr.
CIS 227 is only offered in the Spring semester. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
CIS230, Computer Information Systems Internship, 3 cr.
 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
CIS225, JAVA Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
CSCI165, Computer Science II Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

Restricted Humanities Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
For the Restricted Humanities Elective, select from: ART 101, ART 102, ENGL 102, ENGL 103, ENGL 200, ENGL 233, ENVS 105, MUSI 101, PHIL 101, PHIL 201, and all Foreign Language courses.
ARAB@
ART101, History and Appreciation of Art I, 3 cr.
ART102, History and Appreciation of Art II, 3 cr.
CHIN@
ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr.
ENGL103, Report Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL200, Screenwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL233, Film Analysis, 3 cr.
ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr.
FREN@
GERM@
ITAL@
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
PHIL101, Introduction to Philosophy, 3 cr.
PHIL201, Contemporary Moral Issues, 3 cr.
RUSN@
SPAN@
 Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education & Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.