Computer Information Systems Program

The plan in Computer Information Systems (CIS) leads to a bachelor of science B.S. degree. This plan prepares students to hold technical, administrative and management positions in the analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, operation and management of computer-based information systems. It is based on a broad general education and upper-level studies in computer science and other areas related to information systems, such as management, communication and accounting.   

The mission of the Computer Information Systems program is to prepare students for technical administrative and management careers in the analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, support, operation and management of computer information systems. Refer to the curriculum requirements on the Computer Information Systems B.S. degree plan.   

• Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data

Graduate studies in Computer Information Systems  lead to a master of science M.S. degree. This plan is designed to prepare students for key technical, administration and management positions in the analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, operation and management of industrial and commercial computer information systems. Refer to the curriculum requirements on the Computer Information Systems MS. degree plan.

1. To apply to the Bachelor of Science program in CIS complete the UHCL application. Include the specific major code 153
2. Direct any general questions about the CIS program to Said Bettayeb, the program chairperson
3. Contact admissions regarding the status of your application
4. To speed up your application processing, be sure you give all necessary documents to the University admission office

Note: An admission committee comprised of CIS faculty members reviews all admission applications using many criteria. Although we consider each applicant on an individual basis, the following three criteria are critical

1. Preparation in computer science courses, especially credits and grades earned in C Pascal, Visual Basic and/or Ada
2. Preparation in mathematics, especially Calculus I or Business Calculus
3. Your GPA

1. To apply to the Master of Science program in CIS complete the UHCL application. Include the specific major code 153 
2. Direct any general questions about the CIS program to Said Bettayeb, the program chairperson
3. Contact Academic Advisors regarding the status of your application
4. Students applying for admissions to graduate programs in the College of Science and Engineering are required to take either GRE (general test) or GMAT. The CIS program is currently the only program within the College of Science and Engineering that accepts GMAT in lieu of GRE
5. To speed up your application processing, be sure you give all necessary documents to the University admission office

Notes: For applicants without a baccalaureate degree in a computer-related program, it is common for the CIS admission committee to recommend them to be admitted to the undergraduate CIS program to complete the foundation computer science courses. These students need not actually complete their undergraduate programs. Instead, after completing most of the foundation courses, they can reapply to be admitted to the CIS Master's program and thus transfer their status to graduate. A temporary period of undergraduate study has the advantages of allowing time for the students to learn more about their career interest in CIS and to pay the less expensive undergraduate tuition. In the past, many CIS students have successfully gone through this route.

Students enrolling in the undergraduate program with the intention of converting to the graduate program may get the permission to take the graduate leveling courses through their faculty advisors.

Follow these steps to apply for the graduate program in Computer Information Systems

Fill out the online application. The UHCL Office of Admissions will send you an acknowledgement letter, including an admission documentation checklist. You will also receive a student ID and password giving you access to UHCL E-Services. E-Services allow you to track your admission status and view an updated checklist to monitor your application's progress. 

Note: Send all transcripts of previously attended colleges and test scores to UHCL Office of Admissions. If you want to submit the optional "Letters of Intent," "Letters of Recommendation," or similar documents, send them directly to the Computer Information Systems Admission Committee for review. After you complete your application, the Office of Admissions will evaluate the transcripts. The Admissions staff will then forward the entire application package to the advising office of the College of Science and Engineering.

The Committee's address is:
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Computer Science Admission Committee
College of Science and Engineering
2700 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 3611
Houston, TX 77058-1098

The college advising office will further review your transcripts for transfer hours, GPA, and core curriculum and program foundation courses completed. Then they will prepare the application package for the admission review. The Computer Information Systems admission committee then reviews your application package. The admission committee considers many factors in a holistic manner to determine acceptance. Their criteria include GPA, GRE scores, grades earned in computer science and mathematics courses, undergraduate majors, recommendation letters, and your letter of intent.

 The evaluation and review takes approximately one month once you have completed your application file. Then you will receive a letter notifying you of your admission status. If you are accepted into the master's program, the letter will contain committee recommendations (if any) and specify your faculty advisors. Admission assigns faculty advisors during the review process; they will consider your request for specific faculty advisors.

You may track your application status via E-Services. You may also contact the UHCL Office of Admissions (call 281-283-2500 or uhcl_applicants@uhcl.edu). Since the Office of Admissions will not notify you when your application file is complete, it is your responsibility to verify that your application file is complete.

The advising and admission pages of College of Science and Engineering offer additional useful information. Prospective students may also visit the admissions website for general information about admission, including general admission requirements, admission procedures, and an online application.  

Schedule a session with the academic advisor as soon as you arrive. You may want to read CPS Procedures.

The Office of Academic Advising unites current, prospective, and former students in the School of Science and Computer Engineering. The Academic Advising staff eases students' transition into upper-level coursework to help them realize their educational goals. This office provides information about degree programs explains decision processes and planning, resolves problems related to university policies, and ensures that students meet requirements for graduation.  

Academic Advisors:

• Assist students to set up draft CPS (Candidate's Plan of Study)
• Co-approve the CPS
• Partially evaluate the academic records of the students
• Advise undergraduates on all lower-level courses and upper-level courses
• Process lower-level course waiver requests
• Assign a faculty advisor

The Academic Advisor assigns Faculty Advisors to CIS Students. The Faculty Advisor:

• Approves elective course selection
• Determines foundation courses students need to take
• Co-approves the CPS
• Evaluates the academic records of the student, if needed
• Helps students set up an individual study plan
• Provides advice on course selection
• Advises on requests to waiver courses

Before meeting with the Faculty Advisor, be sure you:

• Select the elective courses you want to take
• Contact the academic advisor to ensure that the faculty advisor has your file

Faruk Arslan

Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems,
Science and Engineering

Contact number: 281-283-3886
Email: Arslan@UHCL.edu
Office: Delta 228

Faculty Bio

Said Bettayeb

Interim Associate Dean, Professor of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems,
Science and Engineering

Contact number: 281.283.3717
Email: Bettayeb@uhcl.edu
Office: B3611.14

Faculty Bio

Sadegh Davari

Department Chair of Computing and Mathematics and Professor of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems ,
Science and Engineering

Contact number: 281-283-3865
Email: davari@uhcl.edu
Office: D153

Faculty Bio

Radu Vlas

Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems and Information Technology,
Science and Engineering

Contact number: 281-283-3878
Email: Vlas@UHCL.edu
Office: Delta 116

Faculty Bio

Wei Wei

Program Chair of Computer Information Systems and Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems ,
Science and Engineering

Contact number: 281-283-3732
Email: Wei@UHCL.edu
Office: Delta 175

Faculty Bio