Information Systems

The Stern School of Business has always been a leader among management schools in teaching and research on information technology in business. In the current climate of rapid globalization and electronic commerce, an understanding of why and how information technology is driving changes in markets and businesses is essential for every business manager. Increasingly, many of the strategic and day-to-day decisions general managers face involve information technology.

The central question that Information Systems (IS) courses address is the following: Why do some organizations get value from their information technology investments while others do not? One set of courses answers this question primarily by examining how fundamental changes in market structure inducted by new technologies impact business models. The second set emphasizes the enabling potential of information technologies through increased efficiency or business intelligence. The third set focuses on the effective management of the information assets of organizations, be they internal, outsourced, or joint ventures.

The IS area provides a crucial part of business education necessary for students seeking careers in a variety of industries, from finance to management consulting. A specialization in information systems requires 9 credits in the IS courses listed on the Courses link to the left. Some of these courses also satisfy other specializations, as specified.