The Health Informatics program prepares students to use Information Systems and Health Information Technology (HIT) to design, evaluate, adopt, and apply technology-based innovations in healthcare delivery, management, and research. Study will include aspects of data acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of health information to meet demands of current healthcare issues through innovative and entrepreneurial strategies. Courses will help students develop collaborative team skills, project management and leadership skills, along with the technical knowledge needed for data-informed decision making. Student will be able to articulate the various types of healthcare organizations, and ways that HIT is incorporated to solve problems in multidisciplinary real-life settings.
Program Requirements
Required General Education
An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer
- Prerequisites:
- One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201
- Goal Areas:
- GE-03
This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.
- Prerequisites:
- CHEM 106 or high school chemistry
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-03
This course uses health humanities storytelling to prepare students with a sincere concern for human values within the capture, management, and evaluation of health information. Students will explore the synergy between health related data, healthcare informatics, and outcome measures. Students will gain fundamental information technology skills to understand and critique data, identify relationships between visual arts and written works regarding health, and explore cultural aspects of healthcare experiences and risk adjustment of quality outcome measures.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-1A
Cultural aspects of interactions between people and their environment focusing on spatial patterns of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, industrialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on the processes that create the cultural landscape and on management of land and natural resources.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-08
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
An introduction to the dimensions of wellness; physical, emotional, occupational, intellectual, financial, interpersonal, cultural, environmental, and spiritual health of the individual.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-10
This course will cover topics of precalculus mathematics. Topics covered will include functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, trigonometric functions, circular functions, vectors and complex numbers, induction, series and probability.
- Prerequisites:
- Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.
- Goal Areas:
- GE-04
This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
Choose 3 Credit(s). Choose one of the following CMST courses:
A course designed to improve students' understanding in communication, including the areas of interpersonal, nonverbal, listening, small group and public speaking.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-1B
A course in communication principles to develop skills in the analysis and presentation of speeches.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-1B
Choose 4 Credit(s). Choose one of the following statistics courses:
This course emphasizes understanding the conceptual basis of common statistical procedures and applying those procedures to the problems of organizing information and making inferences from data. Topics include: summarizing data, the logic of inference, estimation, analysis of variance, and correlation.
- Prerequisites:
- Complete one course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, MATH 130, or STAT 154
An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4
- Prerequisites:
- Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-04
Choose 3 Credit(s). Choose one of the following ethics courses:
Discussion of theories of value and obligation.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-09
Ethical perspectives relevant to issues such as euthanasia, genetic engineering, organ transplant, patients' rights, abortion, etc.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-09
Prerequisites to the Major
Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.
- Prerequisites:
- Select 1 Course: CHEM 111 or CHEM 201, and Select 1 Course: BIOL 220 or BIOL 325.
Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.
- Prerequisites:
- ENG 101
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-13
Major Common Core
3 credits of CIS 497 are required for the major. Additional credits may only be used to satisfy degree requirements.
This course provides conceptual and logical tools for students planning to major in a computing-based major. Programming in a high-level language such as C++, Python, or Java, and the development of skills in abstraction, problem-solving, and algorithmic thinking are emphasized.
- Prerequisites:
- MATH 112 or MATH 113 or MATH 115 or MATH 121
This course reviews basic programming concepts such as data types and variables, loops, functions, input/output and visualization. Students become prepared to produce larger, more complex applications. A strong emphasis on problem-solving as students explore how programming concepts are applied to scenarios drawn from healthcare and other domains. Students develop programming skills necessary to implement data structures, exception handling, and object-oriented concepts. Students are also introduced to incremental program development, testing, and debugging.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 121. Select One Course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, or MATH 130
Introduction to database systems, entity relationship models, relational algebra, database design, data modeling, normalization, and conversion of business rules into relational model. Introduction to basic SQL including subqueries, joins, functions, sequences, triggers, views, and stored procedures.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 121 or an approved substitute.
Security concepts and mechanisms; security technologies; authentication mechanisms; mandatory and discretionary controls; cryptography and applications; threats; intrusion detection and prevention; regulations; vulnerability assessment; information assurance; forensics; anonymity and privacy issues; disaster recovery planning, legal issues and ethics.
- Prerequisites:
- EE 107 or CIS 121 or an approved substitute.
This course explores both structured as well as object oriented systems analysis and design. Use of upper and lower CASE tools are employed in the analysis, design and implementation of a team oriented term project.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 340. Select One Course: CIS 122 or CIS 123
Extensive coverage of SQL, database programming, large scale data modeling, and database enhancement through reverse engineering. This course also covers theoretical concepts of query processing, and optimization, basic understanding of concurrency control and recovery, and database security and integrity in centralized/distributed environments. Team-oriented projects in a heterogeneous client server environment.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 340, CIS 380
This course introduces students to a variety of existing and emerging technologies used within healthcare environments. Emphasis will be on software used to capture clinical data and generate reports. Students will complete a team oriented project incorporating business requirements, project management, and design elements for a system implementation, system change, or reporting request.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 113, CIS 340
The course explores big data in structured and unstructured data sources. Emphasis is placed on big data strategies, techniques and evaluation methods. Various data analytics are covered. Students experiment with big data through big data analytics, data mining, and data warehousing tools.Does the proposal require a modify Program proposal?No
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 440
This course discusses concepts and techniques for design, development and evaluation of user interfaces. Students will learn the principles of interaction design, interaction styles, user-centered design, usability evaluation, input/output devices, design and analysis of controlled experiments and principles of perception and cognition used in building efficient and effective interfaces. Group project work.
- Prerequisites:
- MATH 121. Select one: STAT 154 or PSYC 201. Select one: CS 230 or CIS 380
Provides Information Technology majors an opportunity, in a small group setting, to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Prereq: Consent. Variable
- Prerequisites:
- none
Special topics not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic. Prereq: Consent
- Prerequisites:
- none
Provides students with opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world business environment working under the guidance and direction of a faculty member. (At most 4 hours toward a major in this department). Fall, Spring, Summer Prereq: Permanent admission to IT and consent.
- Prerequisites:
- none
The course will be an introduction to the analysis of spatial data using the concept of a geographic information system (GIS). Content of the course will be, to a great extent, based on the NCGIA core curriculum with assignments tailored to the data and software available within the department such as ArcGIS.
- Prerequisites:
- none
A holistic perspective of pathophysiologic processes and their impact on body systems and overall human functioning. Focuses on the risk factors, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of physiologic disease processes in humans. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 in order to enroll in NURS 282.
- Prerequisites:
- BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 OR BIOL 220 and BIOL 330
Focuses on the basic drug classification, concepts and principles of pharmacology with application of drug therapy. Implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy are examined. Dosage calculations are evaluated for competency. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 284.
- Prerequisites:
- Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.
Provides an introduction to the profession of nursing and explores relationship-based care in healthcare. Provides an overview of concepts related to establishing caring and healing environments, developing therapeutic and professional relationships, and the inter-relationship of care for self, team, and patient.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-11
Focus on identification, implementation, and evaluation of patient/family quality and safety measures. Includes quality movement history and evolution, current quality of care issues, research and innovations, intervention strategies, and instruments; with an analysis of health care quality management system models.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course provides an overview of the innovative and entrepreneurial process within healthcare environments. Students conceptualize and develop a workflow or process improvement plan that includes understanding the current state, identifying innovative solutions, forecasting financial and human resource needs, analyzing potential organizational outcomes, and designing an implementation and evaluation strategy.
- Prerequisites:
- NURS 286
This course provides an overview of legal and ethical issues within health informatics as related to accreditation requirements, licensure and regulatory agencies, payment and reimbursement, management and use of data, information, knowledge, and the technology used to communicate.
- Prerequisites:
- NURS 286
4-Year Plan
The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 16 Credits
Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-1A
This course uses health humanities storytelling to prepare students with a sincere concern for human values within the capture, management, and evaluation of health information. Students will explore the synergy between health related data, healthcare informatics, and outcome measures. Students will gain fundamental information technology skills to understand and critique data, identify relationships between visual arts and written works regarding health, and explore cultural aspects of healthcare experiences and risk adjustment of quality outcome measures.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
This course will cover topics of precalculus mathematics. Topics covered will include functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, trigonometric functions, circular functions, vectors and complex numbers, induction, series and probability.
- Prerequisites:
- Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.
- Goal Areas:
- GE-04
Systems approach to the structure of the human body. The course is designed for students majoring in biology or health related programs. Lab included.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Spring - 16 Credits
This course is an introduction to organic chemistry and biological chemistry. The laboratory will reinforce lecture.
- Prerequisites:
- CHEM 106 or high school chemistry
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-03
This course provides conceptual and logical tools for students planning to major in a computing-based major. Programming in a high-level language such as C++, Python, or Java, and the development of skills in abstraction, problem-solving, and algorithmic thinking are emphasized.
- Prerequisites:
- MATH 112 or MATH 113 or MATH 115 or MATH 121
Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.
- Prerequisites:
- ENG 101
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-13
Second Year
Fall - 16 Credits
This course reviews basic programming concepts such as data types and variables, loops, functions, input/output and visualization. Students become prepared to produce larger, more complex applications. A strong emphasis on problem-solving as students explore how programming concepts are applied to scenarios drawn from healthcare and other domains. Students develop programming skills necessary to implement data structures, exception handling, and object-oriented concepts. Students are also introduced to incremental program development, testing, and debugging.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 121. Select One Course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, or MATH 130
An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4
- Prerequisites:
- Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-04
Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.
- Prerequisites:
- Select 1 Course: CHEM 111 or CHEM 201, and Select 1 Course: BIOL 220 or BIOL 325.
Introduction to database systems, entity relationship models, relational algebra, database design, data modeling, normalization, and conversion of business rules into relational model. Introduction to basic SQL including subqueries, joins, functions, sequences, triggers, views, and stored procedures.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 121 or an approved substitute.
Spring - 16 Credits
Cultural aspects of interactions between people and their environment focusing on spatial patterns of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, industrialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on the processes that create the cultural landscape and on management of land and natural resources.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-08
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
An introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. Lab included. Prereq: One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201. Fall, Spring, Summer
- Prerequisites:
- One BIOL course and one semester of chemistry from among CHEM 104, CHEM 106, CHEM 111, or CHEM 201
- Goal Areas:
- GE-03
A holistic perspective of pathophysiologic processes and their impact on body systems and overall human functioning. Focuses on the risk factors, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of physiologic disease processes in humans. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 in order to enroll in NURS 282.
- Prerequisites:
- BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 OR BIOL 220 and BIOL 330
Focuses on the basic drug classification, concepts and principles of pharmacology with application of drug therapy. Implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy are examined. Dosage calculations are evaluated for competency. Students must have a minimum grade of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330 in order to enroll in NURS 284.
- Prerequisites:
- Minimum of a C in BIOL 220 and BIOL 330.
Provides an introduction to the profession of nursing and explores relationship-based care in healthcare. Provides an overview of concepts related to establishing caring and healing environments, developing therapeutic and professional relationships, and the inter-relationship of care for self, team, and patient.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-11
Third Year
Fall - 12 Credits
Security concepts and mechanisms; security technologies; authentication mechanisms; mandatory and discretionary controls; cryptography and applications; threats; intrusion detection and prevention; regulations; vulnerability assessment; information assurance; forensics; anonymity and privacy issues; disaster recovery planning, legal issues and ethics.
- Prerequisites:
- EE 107 or CIS 121 or an approved substitute.
This course explores both structured as well as object oriented systems analysis and design. Use of upper and lower CASE tools are employed in the analysis, design and implementation of a team oriented term project.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 340. Select One Course: CIS 122 or CIS 123
Special topics not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic. Prereq: Consent
- Prerequisites:
- none
Spring - 16 Credits
Focus on identification, implementation, and evaluation of patient/family quality and safety measures. Includes quality movement history and evolution, current quality of care issues, research and innovations, intervention strategies, and instruments; with an analysis of health care quality management system models.
- Prerequisites:
- none
The course will be an introduction to the analysis of spatial data using the concept of a geographic information system (GIS). Content of the course will be, to a great extent, based on the NCGIA core curriculum with assignments tailored to the data and software available within the department such as ArcGIS.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Extensive coverage of SQL, database programming, large scale data modeling, and database enhancement through reverse engineering. This course also covers theoretical concepts of query processing, and optimization, basic understanding of concurrency control and recovery, and database security and integrity in centralized/distributed environments. Team-oriented projects in a heterogeneous client server environment.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 340, CIS 380
Provides students with opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world business environment working under the guidance and direction of a faculty member. (At most 4 hours toward a major in this department). Fall, Spring, Summer Prereq: Permanent admission to IT and consent.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Fourth Year
Fall - 16 Credits
This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
This course provides an overview of the innovative and entrepreneurial process within healthcare environments. Students conceptualize and develop a workflow or process improvement plan that includes understanding the current state, identifying innovative solutions, forecasting financial and human resource needs, analyzing potential organizational outcomes, and designing an implementation and evaluation strategy.
- Prerequisites:
- NURS 286
This course provides an overview of legal and ethical issues within health informatics as related to accreditation requirements, licensure and regulatory agencies, payment and reimbursement, management and use of data, information, knowledge, and the technology used to communicate.
- Prerequisites:
- NURS 286
This course discusses concepts and techniques for design, development and evaluation of user interfaces. Students will learn the principles of interaction design, interaction styles, user-centered design, usability evaluation, input/output devices, design and analysis of controlled experiments and principles of perception and cognition used in building efficient and effective interfaces. Group project work.
- Prerequisites:
- MATH 121. Select one: STAT 154 or PSYC 201. Select one: CS 230 or CIS 380
Spring - 12 Credits
This course introduces students to a variety of existing and emerging technologies used within healthcare environments. Emphasis will be on software used to capture clinical data and generate reports. Students will complete a team oriented project incorporating business requirements, project management, and design elements for a system implementation, system change, or reporting request.
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 113, CIS 340
The course explores big data in structured and unstructured data sources. Emphasis is placed on big data strategies, techniques and evaluation methods. Various data analytics are covered. Students experiment with big data through big data analytics, data mining, and data warehousing tools.Does the proposal require a modify Program proposal?No
- Prerequisites:
- CIS 440
Provides Information Technology majors an opportunity, in a small group setting, to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Prereq: Consent. Variable
- Prerequisites:
- none
Policies
GPA Policy: The completion of any major, minor, or certificate in the Department of Computer Information Science requires both:
- a GPA of 2.5 or higher for all departmental courses (CIS), or their substitutions, used to complete the major, minor, or certificate, and
- a GPA of 2.5 or higher for all courses, or their substitutions, used to complete the major or minor. This includes all departmental courses, supporting courses, and General Education courses required for the major, minor, or certificate.
It is recommended students who cannot maintain a GPA of 3.0 in required 100 and 200 level courses see their advisor for a program review.
Grade Policy: All coursework used to complete a departmental major, minor, or certificate, including required courses, required supporting courses, and required General Education courses, must be taken for a letter grade except for courses offered only as P/N.
No course completed with a grade of “D” can be used to complete a departmental major or minor program, or to meet a departmental prerequisite.
Registration Hold Policy: The department will place a registration hold on any student who earns a “D” or “F” in any of its courses. The department will also place such a hold on any student who drops any of its courses after the first two weeks of the semester. A student with a registration hold cannot register for courses until the hold is released, which requires filling out an appeal form and taking it to the student’s advisor for discussion. Appeal forms are available from the departmental office. This hold policy does NOT apply to students who are taking 100-level IT courses.
Incomplete Policy: The department gives incomplete grades for only two conditions. The first condition is illness, which requires a doctor’s written recommendation. The second condition arises when a death in the student’s family has caused the student to be away from the campus for an extended period. The student must have a satisfactory grade (“C” or better) in the course at the time of the onset of the condition.
Internship Policy: The Department of Computer Information Science continuously strives for improvements in the academic program. Coursework, coupled with extensive laboratory experience, play an important part in the student’s educational program. However, application of the concepts discussed in class to on-the-job situations is equally important. As a result, the department requires an internship or a capstone experience for all majors.
Residency Policy: Students must earn at least 50 percent of the credits required for a departmental major, minor, or certificate at Minnesota State Mankato.
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Major Credits
76
Total Credits
120
Locations
Mankato
Career Cluster
Health Science