Information Systems

Information Systems students gain the skills to design and implement technology-driven solutions that make a meaningful impact on organizations, public services, and society.

Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon

CMU’s Information Systems Program is the best in the world, combining aspects of computer science, information technology, and business management with a humanities and social sciences-based education. Students are positioned for an impactful career in a digitized and connected world, and they are prepared to adapt and thrive as technology evolves.

The Information Systems Program at CMU is:

Strongly technical, drawing from CMU’s leadership in computer science, human-centered design, and software engineering
Rooted in a rich tradition of the humanities and social sciences
Built on a foundation of data analytics and experiential learning
Flexible and adaptable, encouraging students to forge their own path in the field

Information Systems students have identical graduation requirements as students at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. Graduates have CMU degrees, conferred from the U.S. campus.

Program at a Glance

The program blends technical foundations in computing and software development with social sciences and organizational theory, preparing students to think critically about how technology shapes, and is shaped by, people, organizations, and society.

The curriculum includes:

Information systems core
Technical core
Information systems breadth
Information systems concentrations
University core courses in general education

Through hands-on courses and team-based projects, students gain practical experience by collaborating with real-world clients to design and deliver technology-driven solutions such as mobile apps, data dashboards, workflow systems, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence integrations.

The multidisciplinary nature of the program encourages students to explore their interests. Students select an approved minor, or a concentration area in one of these IS fields:

information security and privacy
data science
digitalization

Program Details

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems is based on professional core courses that teach students to analyze, design, implement and test information systems using current and emerging organizational and technological practices. Several of these courses are project-based, in which small groups develop solutions to real information problems.

The program exposes students to the areas fundamental to understanding problems in information systems: organizations, decision making, research methods and professional communications. Courses in mathematics, statistics and computer programming provide students with strong quantitative skills to meet the technical demands of the discipline.

The cross-disciplinary nature of the program encourages students to explore their interests. Students may specialize in information security and privacy, data science, or digitalization.

Standard completion time: 4 years
Minimum units required for degree: 360 units
- Information Systems core: 77
- Technical core (Mathematics and Computer Science): 42
- Information Systems breadth (Professional Communications, Quantitative Analysis and Research Methods, Innovation and Entrepreneurship): 30
- Concentration area or approved minor, and electives: 211

See the CMU Undergraduate Catalog for more information about the requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems.

Learn more about the courses at CMU.

Concentration Areas or Approved Minors

Concentrations provide students with the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding in an IS field of their interest. Alternatively, students may choose from an approved list of minors.

Information Security and Privacy

The Information Security and Privacy concentration exposes students to the key technical, process, and policy aspects related to information security and associated privacy concerns. The student who completes this concentration will have a solid foundation in the area and will be prepared to continue developing expertise through graduate school or their professional career.

Data Science

The Data Science concentration prepares students to capitalize on the continuously expanding quantity of data generated through our interconnected information systems. Students develop an understanding of how to store, process, retrieve, and analyze data so they can derive insights and improve decision making for individuals, organizations, and society. The foundation developed in this concentration prepares graduates to assist organizations to harness the data they generate, as well as to support research projects either as a graduate student or within a chosen profession

Digitalization

The digitalization concentration prepares the student to understand and effectively innovate with information systems to support entrepreneurship, organizations, or society. Graduates with this concentration often work in a larger organization or they create new organizations that capitalize on the benefits of information and information systems. Graduates have gone on to become product managers, innovation officers, and startup founders.

Projects and Research

Projects courses

Information Systems students put theory into practice through semester-length, team-based project courses.

In these courses, students gain valuable experience managing complex projects, working closely with teammates and client organizations, and dealing with the ambiguities inherent in every large-scale project.

Research

Students also have a wide range of research opportunities, including a Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship (SURA), Qatar Student-Initiated Undergraduate Research Program (QSIURP), independent study courses, and Senior Honors Thesis. Many students who engage in research go on to present their work at international conferences or publish in academic journals.

iX Lab for Emerging Technologies

The Information Systems program is launching the iX Lab to serve as a hub for research, education, and industry collaboration on emerging technologies. The lab will feature dedicated stations focused on real-world applications, including 3D printing, IoT and motion detection, immersive technologies, digital forensics, artificial intelligence, sustainability and green tech.Information Systems students put theory into practice through semester-length, team-based project courses.

Individualize your degree

Arts and Sciences

Academic Support

Student Research and Innovation

Career Pathways

Typical career fields for new information systems graduates include project managers, IT and risk management consultants, entrepreneurial ventures, business analysts, web and mobile application developers, application designers and user experience testing.

Learn more about our graduates and where they are working to impact the world around them.

Map of Information Systems Alumni working around the world.

“Being part of CMU-Q was a defining moment in my life. As a student, I was constantly encouraged to seek knowledge from various disciplines beyond my own. The skills I gained at university helped me become more innovative and technology-focused.”

Maryam Al-Naemi, Class of 2018, Lead of Industrial Solutions, QatarEnergy

“The CMU-Q student experience is unique. Throughout your time as a student, you are encouraged to take what you learn and apply it into real life projects.”

Mohammed Al-Qassabi, Class of 2022, Senior Security Data Scientist, QatarEnergy

“The CMU-Q approach starts with: what can I do to make the world a better place? Education is the first step. We learned marketing, we learned sales, we developed the skills to recruit a team of experts, to agree on a single vision, and to achieve that vision. All of these things are important in shaping a better future.”

Abdulla Al-Khenji, Class of 2015, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Flare Business

Meet the Faculty

Faculty members include experts in database systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), human-computer interaction, healthcare analytics, social media diffusion, smart cities, software engineering, and sustainability management.