Major

Standards for majors

Minor

Standards for
minors

Courses

Test-out and credit-by-exam policy

Computing and New Media Technologies
(College of Letters and Science)
Robert Dollinger, Chair of Computing and New Media Technologies
Room B-246, Science Building
Phone: 715-346-4409
E-mail:cnmt@uwsp.edu
Web: (under development)

Faculty: J Carter, A Damle, R Dollinger, A Ellertson, D Gibbs, W. He, T Krause, K Miller, T Miller, P Seeling.

Definition: Computer Information Systems (CIS) involves the design and maintenance of information systems that enable organizations to gather, process, store, and use information for planning, control and operations.  Emphasis is placed on the analysis, configuration, programming, security, and database aspects of the design and implementation of a computerized business information system.
The program and courses in computer information systems are administered by the Department of Computing and New Media Technologies.

Computer Information Systems Major (CIS)
Consists of at least 44 credits plus a required minor.

1. Core requirements:
   1. Computer Information Systems (CIS) 110 or Web and Digital Media Development (WDMD) 110 and 111.
   2. CIS 120, 210, 220, 310, 410, 480; Math 209.
      
2. Required option: Complete three courses from those listed in one of the following options.
   1. Application development and support option: CIS 340, 341, 345, 346, 442, 444.
   2. IT infrastructure option: CIS 360, 361, 460, 462, 464.
3. Required minor: Complete one (See descriptions elsewhere in this catalog).
   1. Applied Mathematics minor.
   2. Business administration minor.
   3. Geography minor.
   4. Mathematics minor.
   5. Physics minor.
   6. Web and digital media development (WDMD) minor.

Admission/Academic Standards for the CIS Major

1. If you declare CIS as your major, you are a "premajor" until you apply and are accepted into the major. Applications are processed in September and February each year. You should apply no later than the second semester of your sophomore year. Exceptions may be granted.
2. Before you can apply for admission to the CIS major, you must complete CIS 110 (or WDMD 110 and 111), 120, 210, and Math 209.  You must have a GPA in these courses of at least 2.5, including transfer credits, and regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy.
3. We rank applicants by overall GPA and accept, at most, the top 40 each semester.  The actual number admitted is based on available teaching resources.
4. You may apply for admission to the CIS major twice.
5. You may repeat a course in the major only if you follow the policy on repeating courses found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. If you repeat a course, only the most recent grade counts for the GPA.
6. CIS and Math courses taken pass/fail do not count toward the major.
7. You may petition the department chair to accept coursework done at other institutions, but no more than one-half the CIS credits applied to your major may be earned outside UWSP. The department chair may allow exceptions.
8. To maintain admitted status, you must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in all courses taken at UWSP that count for the CIS major.
9. If you do not maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in all courses taken at UWSP that count for the CIS major, you will be placed on CIS probation and will have one semester to restore your GPA. If you fail to do so, you will be dropped from the major and the only CIS courses for which you will be allowed to register are those required to complete the CIS minor.
10. If you are not admitted to the CIS major, the only CIS courses for which you will be allowed to register are those required to complete the CIS minor.
11. Admission to CIS classes may be limited in any semester and may be determined in part by your CIS GPA.

Computer Information Systems Minor
Consists of at least 24 credits: CIS 110 or WDMD 110 and 111; CIS 120, 210, 220, 310; Math 209.

Academic Standards for the CIS Minor

1. To minor in CIS, declare you intention no later than the second semester of your sophomore year.
2. Have no more than one grade below C- in any CIS course.   If you repeat a course, the most recent grade counts.  CIS courses taken pass/fail do not count toward the minor.
3. Have a minimum 2.25 GPA in all CIS courses, regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy.
4. You may petition the department for exceptions.

Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy
You may receive credit-by-exam if you have taken the APCS (Advanced Placement Computer Science) exam.  If you have a score of 3 or higher, you will receive credit for CIS 110.  If you have not taken the APCS exam but have significant programming experience, you may be placed into CIS 120 at the discretion of the department chair.  If you receive a grade of B or higher in 120, you will then receive retroactive credit in 110.