Information systems (IS) draw on the combined power of hardware, software, and networks to uncover exciting possibilities in the space between business and technology. Spanning numerous industries, IS plays a pivotal role in driving both innovation and efficiency. This could be your ideal pathway if you’re drawn to advanced technologies and want to help shape strategic decisions. An information systems bachelor’s degree will prepare you for top IS roles where you can make a real difference.
Because this field is so diverse and there is a strong push for specialization, it is increasingly important to cover IS foundations and develop targeted skills that closely adhere to specific career pathways. Whether you’re interested in information assurance, project management, or web development jobs, you can uncover exciting possibilities. That said, you’ll want to clarify your goals so you can shape your academic experience accordingly.
Baker College makes this possible. Keep reading to learn more about available information systems degree jobs and your degree concentration’s role in shaping your future as an IS professional.
What Is an Information Systems Degree?
The term ‘information systems’ represents a diverse set of technologies and practices meant to coordinate and safeguard the wealth of information that contributes to data-driven decision-making. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) references the wide array of “resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, [and] sharing…of information.”
So, what is an information systems degree? Although this can be described as a technical program, it integrates business knowledge and soft skills (such as critical thinking) to fuel innovation across the vast spectrum of modern information systems. A bachelor’s degree in information systems provides a solid technical foundation and a basic overview of cloud computing, database management, and enterprise architecture.
Exploring Baker’s Information Systems Degree Concentrations
A broad IS foundation leaves plenty of room for specialization, allowing passion-driven professionals to blend fundamental concepts with sector-specific knowledge. To that end, Baker College encourages IS students to supplement foundational courses with concentrations that promote specialized knowledge and real-world applications.
With so many fascinating concepts to explore, it can be difficult to know which concentration to pursue. Begin by exploring available options and determining how they relate to top careers with an information systems degree, as outlined below:
Information Systems – Information Assurance Concentration
Information assurance brings a proactive approach to protecting information systems, going beyond cybersecurity to emphasize confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The ultimate goal? To allow information systems to consistently perform as required, supporting the seamless integration of data into business operations. Baker College’s Information Assurance program bridges cybersecurity with compliance and risk management to reveal new possibilities for protecting users and vulnerable data.
Key Skills Gained in the Information Assurance Concentration
Baker’s Information Assurance courses promote purposeful skill development to prepare students not only to tackle current threats but also to anticipate future risks.
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals. Because information assurance and cybersecurity are closely linked, it is imperative that students understand the basic tools and strategies for protecting data, networks, and systems. Essentials include authentication, encryption, firewalls, and patch management.
- Network Security & Encryption. While foundational courses provide a broad overview of encryption, additional courses take a deeper dive, exploring essentials such as SSL/TLS certificates and the public key infrastructure. Students can also expect to cover the core elements of network security, including firewalls, intrusion prevention, and network access control.
- Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing. Ethical hacking courses introduce students to high-level pen testing strategies, providing opportunities to put this knowledge into action via simulations and other active learning experiences.
- Incident Response & Digital Forensics. Information assurance coursework shows students how to respond in the event of a security breach, revealing the value of disaster recovery plans (DRPs) and the specific response tactics that can be used to restore operations and minimize downtime.
Core Information Assurance Courses
Many courses offer both theory and hands-on practice, including projects that reflect current industry challenges. Compelling courses include:
- Securing Information Systems. This course explores the philosophies underlying top security strategies while offering basic insights into security policies by providing a broad overview of information systems and the strategies used to limit the potential for internal or external attacks.
- Introduction to Information Security. This foundational course serves as excellent preparation for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam, touching on the concepts of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA triad) along with network infrastructure and the basic tenets of identity and access management (IAM).
- Security Policies and Auditing. Focused on the creation and implementation of information protection policies, this course encourages students to evaluate policy frameworks and determine which are most appropriate for various IT environments or scenarios.
- Hardening Systems. The concept of hardening involves strengthening security by limiting the attack surface. This course reveals how to accomplish system hardening, highlighting common vulnerabilities and proactive strategies for defending against attacks.
- Ethical Hacking. Using simulated cyberattacks to highlight the techniques employed by real-world hackers, this course helps students understand common system weaknesses and how they are exploited. Students also explore intrusion detection strategies meant to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems.
- Internet and Web Security. Exploring web security from multiple perspectives, this course highlights top mechanisms for safeguarding digital communications, including a thorough overview of encryption and authentication. Students should emerge feeling confident in leveraging the many tools and techniques meant to safeguard websites against port scanning and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
- Incident Response and Disaster Recovery. While most courses emphasize risk management and prevention, this class approaches information assurance from a distinct yet equally important angle, which is responding to attacks in a way that minimizes loss. Students explore recovery planning while learning how to conduct relevant cost-benefit analyses.
Career Opportunities in Information Assurance
As proactive strategies take over, there will be a strong demand for skilled information assurance professionals who can help organizations prepare for and mitigate attacks. Information assurance professionals can take on critical roles, equipped with the right degree and certifications, such as Cisco’s Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+). Information assurance jobs may involve designing robust security infrastructures, protecting sensitive data, or navigating emerging risks.
- Information Security Analyst. Responsible for conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration tests, information security analysts work proactively to identify weaknesses and limit their potential to be exploited.
- Cybersecurity Specialist. Focused on detecting threats and implementing security measures, cybersecurity specialists install firewalls, enforce security standards, and monitor proactively for malicious activity.
- Risk Manager. Helping organizations proactively identify, assess, and prioritize risks as they relate to security, IS-focused risk managers can help organizations strengthen compliance while promoting resilient systems.
- Forensic Computer Analyst. Taking on an investigative role, forensic computer analysts uncover the sources of security breaches so that organizations can address future risks and strengthen security protocols.
Information Systems – Web & Mobile Application Development Concentration
Web and mobile applications provide exciting opportunities to blend creativity with technical proficiency. This niche appeals greatly to IS professionals with innovative ideas and a desire to bring these visions to life. The right IS concentration can provide the technical understanding needed to design and develop the most impactful applications of tomorrow.
Key Skills Gained in the Web & Mobile Application Development Concentration
Primarily focused on programming and development skills, this concentration explores development from both the front and back end while also touching on user experience and cloud computing. Critical skills include:
- Front-End Development. This concentration encourages students to explore interactive elements that can make websites and mobile apps engaging and easy to navigate. These essentials include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Back-End Programming. IS coursework delves into the server-side components that keep websites and applications functioning optimally. This means studying programming languages such as Python and Java while learning about systems such as MySQL.
- Mobile App Development. Revealing the nuances of creating applications specifically for mobile devices, this IS program reveals what it takes to curate an ideal mobile experience while promoting optimal performance and compatibility.
- UI/UX Design & Prototyping. Blending the principles underscoring user interface design and user experience, the IS degree reveals what it takes to create intuitive and visually compelling designs but also emphasizes prototype testing.
- Cloud Computing & API Integration. Given the prominence of cloud computing, future developers need to understand cloud platforms and application programming interfaces (APIs), which allow for the seamless exchange of information.
Core Web & Mobile Application Development Courses
This concentration offers hands-on learning in courses that explore web and app development.
- iOS Application Development. Many web & mobile application students look forward to creating unique iOS apps. This exciting course provides a strong start, providing the chance to actively design and develop apps for smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
- Java Programming. Offering a powerful introduction to one of today’s most in-demand programming languages, this course promises a deep dive into object-oriented programming, all while revealing how a process-based approach can be unleashed to solve problems.
- Introduction to HTML. Covering both the history of web development and emerging trends, this class focuses on HTML and explores CSS and JavaScript related to front-end development.
- Essentials of UI/UX Design. Revealing the exciting potential of human-computer interactions, this course offers a solid introduction to UI and UX principles, revealing how they can be unleashed to ensure that digital experiences are as intuitive and enjoyable as possible.
- Front-End Web Development. Sharing the secrets behind today’s most responsive web pages, this course introduces students to critical tools and frameworks while helping students structure web pages via HTML and promote interactivity via JavaScript.
- Back-End Web Development. Focused on server-side technologies, this class explores the role of RESTful APIs and how they follow Representational State Transfer (REST) principles. Many other back-end technologies are discussed, including email servers and messaging middleware.
Career Opportunities in Web and App Development
Web and application development blend creativity with technical proficiency to promote dynamic digital experiences. There are many exciting roles available within this innovative niche, including:
- Web Developer. Focused on designing and building websites, web developers use client-server models to create functional sites and promote optimal user experiences.
- App Developer. Similar to web development but focused on mobile or desktop applications, app developers create applications that can be run on specific devices or browsers.
- UX/UI Designer. Exploring how users interact with digital products, UX and UI designers aim to understand user needs to make apps or software easier and more rewarding to navigate.
Information Systems – Project Management Concentration
Blending business concepts with technical skill development, the IS project management concentration can be a great option for business-minded students who recognize the value of technical expertise. Compared to other IS concentrations, this places a greater emphasis on leadership and management, but while also exploring a variety of tech-driven concepts.
Key Skills Gained in the Project Management Concentration
Offering broad leadership development while also exploring targeted project management methodologies, this IS concentration equips future project managers with the targeted tools and strategies needed to drive project success.
- Agile & Scrum Methodologies. Promoting an iterative approach, agile project management encourages flexibility, using continuous improvements to deliver value incrementally while navigating complex project lifecycles. Scrum represents a specific agile framework that focuses on brief sprints and team collaboration. Project management students are introduced to multiple methodologies and gain the ability to tailor their approach based on different project needs and requirements.
- IT Budgeting & Resource Management. One of the core functions of the modern project manager is to ensure that projects are completed according to strict budgetary constraints. This is accomplished through effective resource management, with project management courses highlighting relevant accounting principles and even procurement planning.
- Leadership & Team Coordination. The IS Project Management concentration reveals how technical experts can become effective leaders. This requires high-level delegation skills, along with the ability to coordinate diverse teams and interact effectively with a wide range of team members and stakeholders.
Core Project Management Courses
Baker’s information systems project management courses blend complex technical concepts with business theories and practices to reveal how effective project management drives technological innovation.
- Project Planning. Exploring the intricacies of scope planning and measures of success, this course reveals how strategic planning can set project managers up for success. Students learn how to use project management software to handle sequencing and resource allocation.
- Negotiation Strategies. The most effective project managers are excellent negotiators. This course helps develop these skills by revealing key practices for conflict resolution and mediation while also providing opportunities to navigate complex negotiation scenarios.
- Project Cost and Budget Management. Exploring the financial components of project management, this course highlights critical cost estimation techniques along with strategies for analyzing risks and monitoring budget costs.
- Leading Project Teams. Highlighting how HR concepts play out in project management, this course explores team development from a project perspective and delves into impactful communication strategies.
- Contracting and Procurement. Detailing the project management procurement process, this course prepares students to create proposal requests and statements of work while highlighting different types of contracts and the factors that guide contractor selection.
- Senior Design Project. Offering the chance to apply diverse skills while drawing on a comprehensive project management body of knowledge, this guided self-study experience makes the most of the capstone format to promote integrated skill development and high-level problem-solving.
Career Opportunities in IS Project Management
Many of today’s most compelling roles merge technical knowledge with project management. These project management jobs emphasize strategic planning, but with a clear technical element that reflects IS project managers’ unique blend of skills.
- IT Project Manager. Overseeing tech-related projects and ensuring seamless execution and integration, IT project managers define scope, coordinate teams, and manage resources to drive project success.
- Business Analyst. Focused on how projects align with organizational visions or objectives, business analysts act as liaisons between project teams and stakeholders, offering valuable insights that project managers can leverage to execute projects more effectively.
- Technology Consultant. Many project managers are drawn to consulting roles, which promise flexibility while allowing IS experts to work with many clients. As consultants, they may advise on tech-related best practices or help implement custom solutions.
- Product Manager. Focused on the product lifecycle, product managers share much in common with project managers but with a greater focus on user experience as it relates to product development. Responsible for executing product roadmaps, they allocate resources and mitigate risks to ensure a seamless product rollout.
How to Choose the Right Information Systems Degree
If you feel drawn to information systems but are less clear about your preferred specializations or concentrations, think about what you find interesting and how it relates to your career aspirations.
Assess Your Interests and Career Goals
The first step to choosing the right degree and concentration involves carefully assessing personal interests. Consider current hobbies, along with classes or experiences you’ve enjoyed in the past. Now, shift your focus to future priorities, both personal and professional. Consider your desire for stability, for excitement, or for autonomy. How do various career paths match up with these key qualities? Also, be mindful of your preference for technical or analytical work as opposed to strategic or management-focused roles.
Consider Job Market Demand
While information systems is generally a high-demand field, this demand may feel uneven across various specializations or niches. From a job market perspective, cybersecurity is currently one of the most compelling specializations, as there is a strong need for protection against emerging threats. With development and project manager roles, you may need to assess demand as it relates to your preferred niche.
Look at the Coursework and Learning Style
If the concentration and course descriptions highlighted above are any indication, curricula can vary dramatically from one IS specialty to the next. To confirm that your concentration aligns with your preferred career path, take a close look at each course and consider how its content or learning activities will play into your overarching career objectives. Consider whether you’ll enjoy access to hands-on or immersive training, such as projects or simulations that help you actively apply core concepts and principles.
Still Deciding on Which Information Systems Degree? We’re Here to Help
As you explore information systems opportunities, look to the experts at Baker College for support. We understand and appreciate the diversity of this field, and we are happy to help you find your place in today’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Get in touch today to learn more about our information systems bachelor’s degree and available concentrations.