1 Information Management & Systems History, current status, and future of the IM&S program at USC Upstate. Dr. Ron Fulbright Chair, IMS University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302

2 2-Year vs. 4-Year Degrees Associate Degree (technical colleges) 2-Year degree teaching mainly hands-on experience. Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree (universities) 4-Year degree teaching concepts, theory, and skills. An associate degree is more “how to” do something whereas a bachelor’s degree is more about “how to learn” and teaching the “why” behind the “how.”

3 2-Year vs. 4-Year Degrees Salaries BS and BA degreed employees are likely to command higher starting salaries and receive higher and more frequent salary increases. Responsibilities BS and BA degreed employees qualify for more jobs and are likely to have people working under their direction faster.

4 IM and IT in Today’s Business Information System (IS) A collection of people, processes, hardware, software, and data organized for the purpose of processing information. IS do not always include computers IS do not always include technology IS almost always includes people IS always includes information

5 IM and IT in Today’s Business Information Technology (IT) Electronic systems and components comprising an information system. Information Management (IM)  Management of information resources.  Design of information technology components.  Analysis of information processing procedures.  Deriving knowledge from the information corpus. As computer technology has become pervasive in the business world, processing information has become a critical function of nearly every business.

6 Computer Technology Degrees CS: Computer Science CIS: Computer Information Systems MIS: Mgmt. Information Systems IM: Information Management IS: Information Sciences IT: Information Technology

7 Computer Technology Degrees Business MISIM Computer Science CISCS IT Developers Chief Technology Officers, Corporate Computing, Technology Managers Business Managers ?

8 Information Technology IT Developers Technologists Managers Users Information Technologists are liaisons between technical and non-technical people.

9 IT Curricula Design ACM’s SIGITE: body developing accreditation standards for IT ACMSIGITE USCS sits on the curriculum panel Major Pillars of IT  Management  Software Engineering  Databases  Networking  Security

10 IM&S Degree IM&S is a 4-year information technology degree (Bachelor of Arts) comprising 120 hours of coursework. Unique to IM&S  Multidisciplinary nature  Concentration Areas Healthcare Education Business Communication

11 IM&S Jobs What companies can an IM&S major work for?  All companies process information  Most companies utilize computers  Many jobs require computer skills IM&S majors can work for any company with an information processing requirement. (not just computer companies)

12 IM&S Jobs In what departments can IM&S majors work?  IT – information technology  HR – human resources  PR – public relations  S/M – sales and marketing  RM – resource planning and mgmt  PM – project management  KM – knowledge management  MIS – accounting, finance, corporate computing  Production, shipping, logistics, training, etc… IM&S majors can work for any department within a company.

13 IM&S Job Descriptions What functions can an IM&S major perform?  User Advocate: Determine user requirements and articulate these to the developers. Insure the product meets the users’ needs and desires. Translate technical issues into the users’ language.  Business Analyst: Determine bottom-line impact of business processes and initiatives. Research, identify, and recommend changes to existing procedures to maximize efficiency particularly in the are of applying computer and electronic technology to a business problem.  IT Project Manager: Leading and directing initiatives to develop information resources (Web sites, programs, procedures, networks, etc.).

14 IM&S Job Descriptions What functions can an IM&S major perform?  Content Manager: Control the development and publication of content destined for electronic publication (Web site and Intranet material).  Designer: Technical design of an IT solution (software, hardware, networking, graphical design, content).  Network Administrator: Manage and control network infrastructure in a company.

15 IM&S Job Descriptions What functions can an IM&S major perform?  Records Management: Design, manage, and maintain electronic record keeping technology. Assist in data retrieval, report generation, business analysis, etc.  Administration: Provide computer technology support and assistance to executive-level administrative personnel and staff (healthcare, educational institutions, corporations).  Product Support: Assist customers through helpdesk and other support means provided by the company.

16 IM&S History business leaders advised USCUpstate on the kind of graduates they wanted to hire  Computer technology-aware  Well-rounded, flexible, teachable  Someone to talk to people rather than talk to computers

17 IM&S History The Center for Information Management & Systems was created (later Department of Informatics) Several disciplines included in IM&S curriculum  50% general education  25% computer technology  10% communication skills and technology  15% concentration area

18 IM&S Current Students Communication IM&SComputer SciencePsychology Interdisciplinary Studies

19 IM&S Curriculum General Education (50%) Computer Technology (25%) Communication (15%) Concentration (10%)