Information Systems, B.S. in Bus. Ad.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nevada Reno

Program Overview

The Information Systems, B.S. in Business Administration at the University of Nevada, Reno is designed for students who want to combine business knowledge with computer technology and learn how information systems support real organizational needs. Across the 120-credit, four-year degree, students develop skills in programming, databases, web technologies, networking, systems analysis, project management and technology-based business problem solving.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their business and technology foundations through courses such as IS 101: Introduction to Information Systems, which introduces computers in business and software tools including word processors, spreadsheets and database management systems. The early curriculum also develops quantitative and business knowledge that prepares students for more advanced Information Systems coursework.

Year 2: Students progress into core Information Systems subjects including IS 201: Computer Applications and IS 301: Management Information Systems, developing a stronger understanding of how technology is applied within organizations. IS 350: Business Systems Development introduces students to the development side of business information systems and builds a foundation for upper-division study.

Year 3: The curriculum moves toward more advanced systems and integration topics through courses such as IS 365: Business Process & Information Systems Integration, IS 477: Data Communications, and IS 445: Project Management. Students learn to connect business processes with information technology while developing the communication, planning and project-management skills required for technology initiatives.

Year 4: In the final stage, students work with advanced subjects including IS 475: Database Design and Implementation and IS 495: Information Systems Development and Management, while completing the remaining business requirements and electives. The senior-level work brings together systems design, databases, project management and organizational needs, preparing students to communicate technical solutions to both technology professionals and business users.

Focus areas

Business information systems, programming, database technology, web technology, networking, systems analysis, business process integration, computer security, project management, information systems development, technical management and business technology integration.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to analyze and document requirements for complex information systems, design and program information systems using advanced database features and suitable interfaces, stay current with rapidly changing IS technologies, work effectively in teams, use technological tools and best practices to solve organizational problems, communicate technical solutions to both IS professionals and non-technical managers, and design systems that support an organization's strategic goals.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The program is offered through the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Business, which is AACSB-accredited. The College states that its AACSB accreditation supports business education with strong analytical skills, practical experience and preparation for regional, national and global business markets.

Reputation (employability rankings/stat)

UNR's College of Business reports an average undergraduate salary of $54,228 in its 2024 career outcomes report. The report also identifies Information Technology and Data & Analytics among the job-function areas represented by business graduates, with 55% employed in the Greater Reno Area, 9% elsewhere in Nevada and 24% outside Nevada.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Information Systems degree connects classroom learning with practical technology and business experience. Students can apply their knowledge through Information Systems internships, where they integrate formal coursework with professional workplace experience; the program's internship pathway requires junior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of specified upper-division IS courses before students can register for IS 480.

Students also have access to the College of Business's new John Tulloch Business Building, which provides computer labs, case-method classrooms, group study rooms, collaboration spaces and technology-focused learning facilities. The College maintains three instructional computer labs in the building, while its career infrastructure connects students with employers through networking, career events, internships and professional-development activities.

Practical opportunities include:

Information Systems internship: Students can earn IS elective credit through an approved professional job, complete progress and final reports, and receive an employer evaluation as part of the internship process.
Information Systems technology practice: Coursework develops experience with programming, database systems, web technologies, networking and other technological tools used to solve organizational information-systems problems.
Computer laboratories: The College of Business maintains three instructional computer labs in the John Tulloch Business Building for course instruction and student work.
Case-method classrooms and team spaces: The John Tulloch Business Building includes case-method classrooms, multiple group-study rooms and collaboration areas that support team-based business learning.
Career and employer engagement: The College's Career and Corporate Outreach Center provides career events, employer engagement, internships and access to Nevada Careers, while the College's Wolf Pack Shadow program gives selected students opportunities to experience a day in their prospective career field, including Information Systems.
Information Systems Advisory Board: The IS Advisory Board connects the Information Systems unit with the business community and includes representatives from organizations such as Microsoft, Google, IGT, Koch Business Solutions, SDI Presence, DataMind and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Professional networking: Current College of Business corporate partners include Microsoft, Tesla, Bank of America, Caesars Entertainment, Enterprise Holdings, ITS Logistics and other regional and national organizations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Information Systems B.S. prepares graduates for roles at the intersection of business and technology, with career possibilities ranging from network administration and systems analysis to consulting, programming, database support and technical sales. The university also provides a direct pathway into graduate study, including its M.S. in Information Systems, while the College's employer engagement and internship infrastructure can help students build professional experience before graduation.

Typical job roles include Systems Analyst, Information Systems Consultant, Computer Programmer and Database Support Specialist.

Graduates can build their professional progression through:

Career services: The College of Business Career and Corporate Outreach Center provides resume and interview support, networking opportunities, career events, employer engagement and access to the Nevada Careers job board.
Employment and salary outcomes: UNR's 2024 College of Business career outcomes report lists an average undergraduate salary of $54,228. The report also shows that business graduates work across areas including Information Technology and Data & Analytics.
University–industry connections: The Information Systems Advisory Board provides a direct connection between the IS unit and business community, with members representing organizations including Microsoft, Google, IGT, Koch Business Solutions, DataMind and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Corporate engagement: The College of Business works with corporate partners including Microsoft, Tesla, Bank of America, Caesars Entertainment, Enterprise Holdings and ITS Logistics, creating opportunities for employer interaction and professional networking.
Accreditation value: The Information Systems major is housed within the AACSB-accredited College of Business, giving students a business education within an internationally recognized business-school accreditation framework.
Graduate outcomes: UNR reports that 55% of its business graduates are employed in the Greater Reno Area, 9% elsewhere in Nevada and 24% outside Nevada, demonstrating employment across both local and wider markets.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) at UNR, which can deepen technical, systems and organizational knowledge. The university also offers an accelerated B.S./M.S. in Information Systems pathway for eligible outstanding undergraduate Information Systems students, as well as an online Master of Science in Business Analytics and a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an Information Systems focus.