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Information Management& Systems

History, current status, and future of the IM&S program at USC Upstate.

Dr. Ron FulbrightChair, IMS

rfulbright@uscupstate.eduUniversity of South Carolina UpstateSpartanburg, South Carolina 29302

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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.”

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2-Year vs. 4-Year Degrees

SalariesBS and BA degreed employees are likely to command higher starting salaries and receive higher and more frequent salary increases.

ResponsibilitiesBS and BA degreed employees qualify for more jobs and are likely to have people working under their direction faster.

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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 computersIS do not always include technologyIS almost always includes peopleIS always includes information

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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.

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Computer Technology Degrees

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

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Computer Technology Degrees

Business

MIS IM

Computer Science

CISCS

IT

Developers

Chief Technology Officers,

Corporate Computing,

Technology ManagersBusiness Managers

?

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Information Technology

IT

Developers

Technologists

Managers

Users

Information Technologists are liaisons between technical and non-technical people.

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IT Curricula Design

ACM’s SIGITE: body developing accreditation standards for IT

USCS sits on the curriculum panel Major Pillars of IT

Management Software Engineering Databases Networking Security

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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

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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)

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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.

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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.).

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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.

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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.

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IM&S History

20-30 business leaders advised USCS 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

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IM&S History

The Center for Information Management & Systems was created (not associated with a specific academic school or department)

Several disciplines collaborated in creating the IM&S curriculum 50% general education 25% computer technology 10% communication skills and technology 15% concentration area

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IM&S Curriculum

General Education (50%)

Computer Technology (25%)

Communication (15%)

Concentration (10%)