2025-2026 Bulletin: Program Requirements

Aug 16, 2025

2025-2026 Bulletin: Program Requirements

Information Systems and Technology, MS

The Master of Science in Information Systems & Technology (MSIST) offers a distinct blend of practical application and theoretical focus. The curriculum has been designed to provide technical and managerial knowledge, valuable for students intending to go into practice or to transition into a doctoral program. The program’s design welcomes students with or without a background in information technology.

University Policies

Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Units. A total of 36 units are required.

Required Courses. Required courses consist of Core Courses, Concentration Courses, and Elective Courses.

Core Courses (12 units): IST 302 - Databases, IST 303 - Software Development, and IST 304 - Communications and Networking
Basic competence in programming and SQL is a prerequisite for enrollment in core courses.
Concentration Courses (12-24 units): Students completing the MSIST online must complete the required coursework (24 units total) for both the Data Science and Analytics concentration and the IT Strategy and Innovation concentration. Students completing the MSIST on campus must complete the required coursework (12 units) for at least one concentration. See below for available concentrations.
Elective Courses (up to 12 units): Students completing the MSIS on-campus may choose to complete up to 12 units of elective courses.

Concentration: IT Strategy and Innovation

This concentration requires 12 units of coursework and is available to students enrolled in the the MS in Information Systems and Technology online and on-campus. Students can choose from the following courses. Each course is 4 units.

The following is a list of courses for the concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 313 - Introduction to Cloud Computing

IST 314 - AI-Powered Enterprise Systems and Intelligent Supply Chains

IST 315 - CRM and SRM Systems

IST 316 - Enterprise Systems and Supply Chain Management Practicum

IST 321 - Leading Digital Business Transformation

IST 322 - Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship

IST 323 - Information Technology Strategy and Innovation Practicum

IST 324 - Digital Product Management

IST 327 - Design Thinking and Creative Problem Solving

Concentration: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

This concentration requires 12 units of relevant coursework and is available to students enrolled in the the MS in Information Systems on-campus. Students can choose from the following courses. Each course is 4 units.

The following is a list of courses for the concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 370 - Introduction to GIS Analytics and Solution Development

IST 372 - Advanced GIS Analytics and Solution Development

IST 373 - GIS Practicum

IST 375 - AI and UAV Mapping: Innovations in GIS and Remote Sensing

IST 377A - GIS Special Topics: GIS for Data Science

IST 377B - Location-based Market Intelligence

IST 378 - GIS Mapping and Analysis using Unmanned Aerial Systems

IST 379 - Applied Geospatial Project

Concentration: AI-Driven Innovation

The following is a list of courses for the concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 332 - Natural Language Processing

IST 327 - Design Thinking and Creative Problem Solving

IST 340 - Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining

IST 345 - Building Generative AI Applications

IST 347 - Machine Learning in Healthcare

IST 601 - AI for Digital Transformation

Concentration: Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing

This concentration is available to students enrolled in the the MS/PhD in Information Systems both on-campus and on- line.

The following is a list of courses per concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 313 - Intro to Cloud Computing

IST 350 - Cryptography & Computer Security

IST 351 - Cyber Security Risk Management

IST 353 - Practicum in Cyber Defense and Cloud Security

IST 354 - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

IST 355 - Cybersecurity Essentials Series with Optional Certifications

IST 360 - Internet of Things: A Hands-on Approach

IST 361 - AI-Enhanced IoT: Future-Proofing Critical Infrastructures

Concentration: Data Science & Analytics

This concentration is available to students enrolled in the MS/PhD programs in Information Systems and Technology online and on-campus.

The following is a list of courses per concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 332 - Natural Language Processing

IST 340 - Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining

IST 341 - CS Insights via Python Programming

IST 342 - Managing Data at Scale

IST 343 - Data Science Practicum

IST 344 - Data Analytics and Information Visualization

IST 345 - Building Generative AI Applications.

IST 346 - Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence

IST 347 - Machine Learning in Healthcare

IST/TNDY 336 - Analysis of Social Networks

IST 370- Introduction to GIS Analytics and Solution Development

IST 372- Advanced GIS Analytics and Solution Development

IST 601 - AI for Digital Transformation

Concentration: Health Informatics

This concentration is available to students enrolled in the MS/PhD programs in Information Systems on-campus.

The following is a list of courses per concentration. This list is subject to change without prior notice.

Courses:

IST 380 - Introduction to Health Informatics

IST 381/TNDY 402X Persuasive Technology: Ethics & Social Impact

IST 383 - Health Informatics Practicum

IST 385 - Telehealth

IST 347 - Machine Learning in Healthcare