Introduction of the Department of Computer Information Systems at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University is a public institution and part of The University of North Carolina System. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Appalachian State University has built a national reputation for providing outstanding academics. With a student/faculty ratio of 17:1 and an average class size of 24, faculty members are able to take a personal interest in student progress, often becoming mentors, advisers, and friends. That can only happen in a close-knit community. Nestled at the base of Howard’s Knob, the university is located in downtown Boone, NC (year-round pop. 15,000), a small town which thrives as one of the Southeast's premier tourism and outdoor recreation destinations. The nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest provide a beautiful natural setting with unlimited possibilities for outdoor adventure.

As one of six departments in the Walker College of Business, the Computer Information Systems (CIS) department offers high quality educational experiences preparing our students for life-long learning and leadership responsibilities in a dynamic, global environment. To accomplish this, our focus is on instructional excellence, complemented by diverse research and service activities that contribute to progress in the business discipline and the broader community. The college has an enrollment of more than 2,200 undergraduate students and was included in Princeton Review’s 2008 edition of Best Business Schools. Walker College was reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in the Spring of 2008.

The CIS department offers coursework in information systems, production/operations management, and quantitative methods. Students in information technology and operations management are encouraged to acquire a broad liberal education in order to understand the interface between the technical and management aspects of business.

The mission of the CIS department is to:

• Maintain a high level of effectiveness in instruction, intellectual contribution and professional service;
• Collaborate with the business community to provide career opportunities for students in a dynamic global environment; and
• Provide an environment conductive to attracting and developing professional faculty.

Our students develop professional skills and capabilities to pursue careers in computerized information systems and operations management areas in either the public or private sectors of our economy. Our graduates are able to pursue careers as: systems managers, systems architects, systems developers, program analysts, systems analysts, database administrators, network administrators, web site developers, and supply chain managers.You can learn more about the CIS department and Appalachian State University at http://cis.appstate.edu/.