The 36-credit course of study incorporates courses in telecommunications, network design, database management, e-business, and security.  Program prerequisites for the MSIS degree program include completion of a 3-credit college-level course in each of the following areas:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Structure programming language (C, C++, or Java recommended).

Click here for more information about the MSIS program prerequisites. 

Courses in calculus and probability are strongly recommended as prerequisites for the TDS Track of Study.

The course of study for the MSIS degree consists of a minimum of 36 credits.  Of the 36 credits, 15 credits must be in the TDS area. Students typically take TELCOM 2000, TELCOM 2110, INFSCI 2550, INFSCI 2711, and INFSCI 2560 to meet this requirement.  However, credits can be taken from other programs or departments, e.g., Graduate Program in Telecommunications and Networking, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science with permission of the advisor. The 36 credits are to be distributed as follows:

• 3 credits in the Mathematical and Formal Foundations area. INFSCI 2000: Introduction to Information Science is required unless exempted by advisor.
  
  
• 6 credits in the Cognitive Science area or Cognitive Systems area. INFSCI 2300: Human Information Processing is recommended as the first course in this area, unless the student has had prior coursework in cognitive psychology. INFSCI 2470: Interactive System Design is recommended as the second course in this area.
  
  
• 15 credits in the TDS area. These are described in the following section and satisfy the Systems and Technology requirements of the MSIS program. TELCOM 2000 is required.
  
  
• 3 credits in the Systems and Technology Area or Cognitive Systems Area
  
  
• 9 credits as Electives. These credits can be met by any course listed in the previous categories or any other remaining course in the Information Science.  The electives will be chosen to meet the individual needs of the student. 

Any changes to the distribution above must be requested, in advance, through petition to the GPIS faculty.

• TELCOM 2000: Introduction to Telecommunications
• TELCOM 2110: Network Design
• TELCOM 2121: Network Management
• TELCOM 2310: Computer Networks
• INFSCI 2550: Client-Server Systems
• INFSCI 2711: Advanced Topics in Database Management
• INFSCI 2560: (formerly 2870) Web Technologies And Standards
• INFSCI 2730: E-Business
• INFSCI 2802: (formerly 2751) Internet Based and Interoperable GIS
• TELCOM 2700: Introduction to Wireless Networks
• TELCOM 2727: Application Development for Mobile Devices
• TELCOM 2821: Network Security

In addition to the above courses, students in this specialization can take courses in the Graduate Program in Telecommunications and Networking provided they satisfy the prerequisites of those courses. See http://www.tele.pitt.edu/academics/courses.htm for details.

This track of study offers a variety options for to meet your schedule.  This chart shows possible options for your course of study.