Computer Information Systems Associate of Science

Program Overview:

The Computer Information Systems AS offers students a powerful Computer Science option with an emphasis in Accounting and Economics: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that are articulated with Winona State University Rochester’s Computer Information System bachelor’s degree. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this degree and transferring to Winona State University Rochester will enter with junior-year status with courses applying to the Computer Information System bachelor’s degree program.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Computer Information System program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:

• Analyze problems systematically and design algorithmic solutions using appropriate data structures, control structures, and programming paradigms.
• Use modern IDEs and industry-standard tools, including version control systems, to design, implement, test, debug, and secure software.
• Design and query relational databases using SQL, and use diagrams to show how data is organized, stored, and retrieved in computing systems.
• Describe the capabilities and limitations of AI tools—including large language models—and use AI-assisted tools responsibly while critically evaluating their outputs.
• Identify and analyze ethical issues in computing, including privacy, security, bias, intellectual property, and the societal impact of technology.
• Collaborate effectively in teams using structured project management practices to plan, develop, document, and present computing solutions in response to stakeholder needs.
• Apply principles of accounting and business to understand how information systems support organizational decision-making and operations.

Career Opportunities:

For Computer Information Systems, the Department of Labor predicts that employment is expected to increase much faster than the average as organizations continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies.

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS AS

MINNESOTA TRANSFER CURRICULUM (MnTC)/GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (37 CREDITS)

GOAL 1: COMMUNICATION (11 CREDITS)

• COMM 1114 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr)
• ENGL 1117 – Reading and Writing Critically I (4 cr)
• ENGL 1118 – Reading and Writing Critically II (4 cr)

GOAL 3: NATURAL SCIENCES (6 CREDITS)

Choose two courses with labs from two different areas from MnTC Goal 3

GOAL 4: MATHEMATICS/LOGICAL REASONING (3 CREDITS)

• MATH 1119 – Applied Calculus for Business and Economics (3 cr) OR MATH 1127 – Calculus I (5 cr)

GOAL 5: HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (11 CREDITS)

• ECON 2214 – Principles of Microeconomics (4 cr)
• ECON 2215 – Principles of Macroeconomics (4 cr)
• Remaining credits from MnTC Goal 5 courses (other than ECON) (3 cr)

GOAL 6: HUMANITIES AND THE FINE ARTS (6 CREDITS)

Choose two courses with labs from two different areas from MnTC Goal 6. Recommended:

• PHIL 1150 – Computing and AI Ethics (3 cr)

PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS (23 CREDITS)

• ACCT 2217 – Principles of Accounting I (4 cr)
• COMP 1150 – Computer Science Concepts (3 cr)
• COMP 2243 – Programming & Problem Solving (4 cr)
• COMP 2247 – Algorithms and Data Structure (4 cr)
• MATH 2218 – Discrete Mathematics (4 cr)
• MATH 2350 – Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (4 cr)

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES

FULL-TIME

• Semester 1 (14 CREDITS): COMP 1150, ECON 2214, ENGL 1117, MnTC Goal 3 with lab
• Semester 2 (14 CREDITS): COMM 1114, COMP 2243, ENGL 1118, MATH 1119 OR MATH 1127
• Semester 3 (15 CREDITS): COMP 2247, ECON 2215, MATH 2218, MnTC Goal 6
• Semester 4 (17 CREDITS): ACCT 2217, MATH 2350, MnTC Goal 3 with lab, MnTC Goal 5 (other than ECON), MnTC Goal 6

PART-TIME

• Semester 1 (8 CREDITS): ECON 2214, ENGL 1117
• Semester 2 (6 CREDITS): COMP 1150, MnTC Goal 3 with lab
• Semester 3 (8 CREDITS): COMP 2243, ENGL 1118
• Semester 4 (6 CREDITS): MATH 1119 OR MATH 1127, COMM 1114
• Semester 5 (7 CREDITS): COMP 2247, MnTC Goal 6
• Semester 6 (8 CREDITS): MATH 2350, ECON 2215
• Semester 7 (8 CREDITS): ACCT 2217, MATH 2218
• Semester 8 (9 CREDITS): MnTC Goal 3 with lab, MnTC Goal 5 (other than ECON), MnTC Goal 6

Course descriptions can be found at: RCTC course descriptions