Comparative Systems Analysis Minor

Offered by: College of Science, Biological Sciences Department

The Minor is designed to complement a wide variety of major fields from the various schools in the University. The diverse specialties of Systems Analysis in Business, Managment, Information Systems, Computer Systems, Environmental Design fields and Engineering constitute the fastest growing job category in the United States over the next decade according to government statistics. Students completing this Minor in conjunction with a major in their specialty fields will have developed skills in high demand for analyzing complex modern societal problems. Coursework in this Minor emphasizes the pure science aspects of systems; it focuses on what might be called the special theoretical knowledge of systems fundamental to the many practical applications mentioned above. Laboratory and field experiences in the Minor focus on application of transdisciplinary techniques and methodology and expose the student to ideas and faculty from a broad spectrum of specialties unified by general systems analytic approaches. According to our surveys, CSA graduates are sought after by high technology firms because they are adept at the critically-needed skills of large-scale, interdisciplinary team communications and production. The Minor and Certificate in comparative systems Analysis requiares the completion of a minimum of 32 units. admission to the Minor and Certificate Programs is required previous to enrollment in these courses. New enrollment in this minor has been temporarily suspended.