The Business Process-Driven Undergraduate IS Curriculum - A Transition from Classical CIS to Emerging BIT

Abstract

This chapter introduces a concept of the re-engineered CIS (computer informa-tion systems) curriculum accomplished at the beginning of the 21st century through a few initiatives taken by the Department of Business Information Systems at Western Michigan University’s Haworth Business College, over the time period of 2000-2005. These initiatives led to the shift from teaching universal/generic computer information systems’ knowledge and skills to more integrational knowledge and skills about how to develop complex sys-tems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) and e-Enterprise. This curriculum shift is a response to the industries’ information infrastructure’s shift from information islands to the gradually integrated online (Web-driven) infrastructure of systems and services. Therevised CIS program at WMU is supported by the use of ERP-like SAP R/3 and MS Great Plains software. The authors hope that the presented curriculum re-engineering concept facilitates the understanding of how the business process-driven CIS/BIT program can be implemented in academic practice.