Business Information Systems Major

Information technology (IT) has revolutionized the way consumers and businesses relate and interact. For consumers, online retailing has become the dominant distribution channel for a wide variety of products and services, with massive shifts underway from brick and mortar to e-commerce and the Web, and now into social media. Not only has technology changed consumer habits, it has also dramatically changed the workplace.

Technological innovations enable new strategies, products, and distribution channels while increasing efficiency and productivity in all industries. Success in the 21st century requires that business managers and analysts understand what technologies are available in the marketplace and how these technologies can lead to competitive advantage, staying competitive, and to new business products, services, and models. Therefore, it is necessary that managers understand how IT interacts with business strategies, organizations, and customers, and it is essential that businesses manage their portfolios of IT investments accordingly.

Through the Pitt Business Business Information Systems (BIS) major, students will develop the abilities to partner with, or contribute to, IT-enabled business strategy, operations and projects in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to:

Evaluating new information technologies, business models, and their implications
Understanding the relationships between competitive advantage and information technologies
Assessing a business or business area to recognize where process improvements can be made
Eliciting and identifying requirements
Communicating effectively with consumers, managers, analysts, business partners, and IT professionals
Modeling needs, processes, and data
Managing data as an asset
Managing processes

The Pitt Business BIS major meets the qualifications of a STEM-designated degree program, as set forth by the federal government. International students may receive an extension in the United States for the program.

Earn a minimum of 120 Academic Credits
- Including 15 Academic Credits in BIS
Fulfill All:
- Arts and Sciences Foundation Requirements
- BSBA Core Curriculum Requirements
Cumulative GPA of 2.25 (C+) in all courses applied toward a BIS major.
A “C-” or better must be earned in each course applied toward a BIS major

Required Core Courses

Must complete with a C or better in order to proceed with the BIS major.

BUSBIS 1060: Introduction to Information Systems

Required Major Courses

Elective Major Courses

Must take a minimum of two.

Students may structure their BIS major elective course choices into specialized career-related tracks. The following tracks are available:

Enterprise Systems Specialization (complete BUSBIS 1635 IT Systems in Supply Chains, plus a specialized elective)
Design Specialization (complete BUSBIS 1655 Design Thinking, plus a specialized elective)
Project Management Specialization (complete BUSBIS 1645 Information Systems Ethics, plus a specialized elective)
IS Consulting Specialization (complete BUSBIS 1650: Information Systems Consultancy Practices Solution Development, plus a specialized elective)

Students should talk with their academic advisor and with the Career Development team to determine which BIS specialization track best advances their career goals.

BIS majors are encouraged to enhance their technical skills by completing CS 0007 Introduction to Computer Programming, followed by CMPINF 0401 Intermediate Programming.

Skills Needed

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Jobs

Business Technology Analysis
Consulting
IT Management
Operations
Customer Service/Sales

Types of Industries

Medium to Large Corporations
Government
Start-up Organizations
Retail
Consulting Firms

University of Pittsburgh Minors

“When I asked to take student leadership over the then staff-led Consulting Academy, Pitt Business supported me at every step. This leadership experience was vital in landing me an externship at Boston Consulting Group.”

Oscar Hung

Finance and Business Information Systems, Class of 2023

Academics