The responsibility of an information security specialist is to supervise operations that follow industry best practices for security and data integrity. This role helps to ensure that systems are free from external threats and risks that may jeopardize or harm an organization. In this course, students examine the role of a security specialist and learn the key concepts and concerns of information security and privacy, including technical, social, and policy issues. Students examine fundamental notions of authentication, authorization, and encryption in the context of everyday information systems activities. Students analyze and discuss case studies of security and privacy breaches to understand economic and human impact.

As in most industries, healthcare relies heavily on information technology to provide the infrastructure for healthcare delivery in the global marketplace. Through this course, students have the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to understand the complexities of healthcare information systems components. Students examine the trends in the development of standardized patient records for a variety of health-related applications. They use requisite skills in requirements analysis and design to address the challenges in the field and engage in coursework on topics including privacy, confidentiality, and standardization. Students assess and discuss a variety of topics, such as medical devices, guidelines, and standards as well as the differences among electronic health records, electronic medical records, and personal health records.

The cost of delivering healthcare in the United States continues to grow exponentially; therefore, the industry is in need of ways to optimize the financial components associated with delivery while focusing on better quality of care. Through this course, students learn about healthcare information systems applications designed to add value to the delivery of healthcare from a financial and clinical outcomes-based perspective. Students examine some of the most important classes of healthcare information systems, ranging from patient care management to epidemiology to billing to research data analysis. Case studies provide students with a practical opportunity to exercise their information systems design and analysis skills as well as to consider social and ethical issues related to the field.

Information technology (IT) is essential to the function and success of nearly all businesses. Businesses whose systems are lacking or experience failure are at risk of significant loss; therefore, there will always be a need for IT support and innovation. In this course, students are introduced to fundamental concepts of the IT infrastructure to prepare for a role in the field of IT. Students learn about the structure and purpose of hardware components (computers, networks, and interface devices) and software components (operating systems, middleware, applications, and system software). They examine key issues of capacity, performance, reliability, scale, and obsolescence through the evaluation of IT's role in supporting business and individuals. Students take a practical approach to understanding how IT infrastructure can relate to personal goals as they examine the various career options within the field.

Insecure security systems can cause major risks and vulnerabilities for companies. Breaches in personal employee information, financial information, or company secrets can elicit the downfall of an organization. In this course, students learn the importance of such concerns as well as key concepts of computer and information security, including technical, privacy, organizational, social, and policy issues. They examine fundamental notions of authentication, authorization, and encryption. Students learn about economic and human impact issues through the analysis of case studies of security and privacy breaches. Through discussions and assignments, students also examine risk management, informal system security methods, and corporate governance.