Bachelor of Science (Information Systems Management)
"It is the way we approach the integration of Business and IT that makes our programme so distinctive, innovative and valuable.
We don't just give you a conventional computer or IT curriculum and the conventional offerings of Business subjects. We immerse you in the world of how IT is actually being used in business settings. We contextualise IT related fundamentals, knowledge and skills into the world of business by linking them to relevant and emerging applications.
We teach you how IT is used as an enabler of change, innovation and competitive value creation. We give you the foundations, experiences and confidence to become a change agent, a person with both the passion and capability to change the way business does business."
- Practice Professor Steven MILLER
Dean, School of Information Systems
BSc (ISM) Programme Overview
The BSc (ISM) programme is shaped by industry and academic leaders who understand the forces of global change and the essential skills needed to leverage Information Technology in business settings.
Our curriculum is built upon three foundation pillars. Students are grounded in foundations and applications of information systems technology and information systems management (column 1 below). They are also exposed to and educated about complex, real-world business processes through numerous examples used in course discussions and assignments, internships, and interactions with industry professionals and leaders (column 2 below). In addition, they are educated and cross trained in business, management or social science areas through required SMU-wide foundation and core courses, and through electives taken across the five other SMU schools (column 3 below).
More info on the foundation pillars of the BSc (ISM) curriculum.
What are your opportunities after graduating?
Your opportunities are very good. You will have a wider range of career opportunities than you ever imagine. You will be amazed at all the incredible things our students are doing, both for internships, and for their employment after they graduate.
For example, take a look at this information on opportunities for starting jobs and long term career pathways and growth.
We teach you the relevant fundamentals needed to be a Business IT professional, and link these fundamentals to current and future applications within business settings.
We focus on problem solving, on the ability to generate good ideas for new IT enabled business solutions, and on the capabilities you need to design, implement, demonstrate, evaluate and communicate your solution ideas.
We teach you how to be a business change agent. You will learn how to design and change business operations and processes. You will develop the ability to design, analyze and execute (i) the value proposition and business case, (ii) the necessary business processes, (iii) the enabling IT and software solutions, as well as (iv) the relevant project management aspects.
We make sure you develop sufficient depth and breadth by enabling and encouraging you to do a second major concentration, either in advanced technology & applications within SIS, or within the programmes offered by any of the other 5 schools at SMU (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Law, Social Science). We also provide outstanding students with opportunities to do a full double degree, or to do a BSc (ISM) - Masters fast-track into a growing number of Masters programme options.
We don't just teach you these things by lecturing to you in the classroom. We make it an active and highly participative learning process. Your learning occurs in a wide variety of ways including in-class interaction and participation, frequent course assignments and projects, peer-mentoring, voluntary enrichment workshops, participation in competitions, frequent interaction with industry professionals and leaders, your large-scale IS Application project, internships with a dazzling array of companies (large, small, local, global), SMU co-curricular activities, involvement in the SIS student society and more.
Our BSc (ISM) programme also has a very strong emphasis on project management. It is true that all SMU undergraduate students across all six of the university's schools do numerous projects and presentations in team settings. However, SIS takes project experiences and project management to a level beyond. In our technology oriented SIS core and elective courses, our students must go beyond the phase of talking about and presenting ideas and analysis. They go further. Student teams actually design, implement and demonstrate working Business IT solutions. As a result, they get more intensive experience with how to define, execute and track project plans, schedules, and resource requirements. They get more experience with managing both business related and technology related changes to project requirements, and with assessing how these changes will impact previously established execution plans, schedules and resource estimates. Our students really do learn that to manage a complex project, the team has to start the preparations as early as possible, and that rigorous planning and critical thinking is essential for delivering results within the constraints of available time, resources, and skill sets.
Project management experience and expertise are highly valued by every company in every industry in every country. The project management experience you will get as an SIS undergraduate student will set you apart from other undergraduates locally and globally, and will be valuable to you no matter what you choose to do in life, or what type of career you pursue.
Cutting-edge academic as well as industry relevant research is also an integral part of the SIS faculty and student environment. Students who wish to work with faculty on research projects are strongly encouraged to approach faculty members within SIS or any part of SMU and discuss opportunities for participating in research.
