Accounting and Information Systems Audit and Control (AISAAC) Specialization

Recently, new regulatory environments have required companies to provide better documentation of their accounting and IT systems to improve the management and disclosure of their business processes for better financial and regulatory controls. Accounting and IT professionals have significant roles in audit and control activities, since they control the systems that monitor and report on finance, planning and operations. The courses within this specialization cover business-process management and financial controls; the emerging trends and practices in privacy and security; the strategies for integrating governance and compliance; and the IT organization’s financial and business intelligence services. These courses will focus on how to leverage the existing IT infrastructure to establish quality in financial and internal audit processes and address the regulatory issues associated with reporting, consolidation and document/content management more effectively and completely.

Business Intelligence Specialization

Business Intelligence (BI) systems combine operational data with analytical tools to present complex and competitive information to planners and decision makers. The objective is to improve the timeliness and quality of inputs to the decision process. BI is used to understand the capabilities available in the firm; the state-of-the-art, trends, and future directions in the markets, the technologies, and the regulatory environment in which the firm competes; and the actions of competitors and the implications of these actions. With this specialization, you get the necessary skills and knowledge in real-time data warehousing, data visualization, data mining, online analytical processing, customer relationships management, dashboards and scorecards, corporate performance management, expert and advanced intelligent systems, and hands-on experience with leading BI tools.

Cyber Security and Information Assurance Specialization

With recent breaches in the security of many large government agencies and private corporations, cyber security is an issue of great importance to the global society. Further, as corporations increasingly depend on digital solutions in new product development - from consumer shopping experiences and payment systems to driverless cars - the consequence of an electronic security breach will likely become more severe in the future. Colorado has large role in cybersecurity, particularly given Colorado’s entrepreneurial focus, since small businesses typically cannot afford expensive security solutions that may be accessible to large corporations. The goal of this specialization is to support and enhance the cyber security of enterprises such as banks, governments, retail, health care institutions, law enforcement, construction, insurance agencies, transportation and the military. Naturally, organizations cannot outsource this protection but will have to have loyal and trustworthy employees trained in this discipline. Therefore, this area is likely to enjoy an ever-growing demand in the foreseeable future–and commensurate job opportunities.

Digital Health Innovation Specialization

With the pervasive nature of Internet-based technologies, healthcare services are undergoing significant transformations where both providers and consumers have access to information for making informed decisions yielding the best possible outcomes. While providers are adopting or upgrading to state-of-the-art IT, the ongoing liberation of healthcare data has energized technology vendors, healthcare systems, start-ups, and researchers to develop new applications, tools, and products. The digital health innovation entrepreneurship specialization is designed for developing knowledge, skills and capabilities in innovation models, business plans and market platforms for drugs, devices, diagnostics, healthcare IT products and services. 

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Specialization

This specialization focuses on information technology as the primary driver of business strategy. Coursework focuses on the strategic, technological, financial and organizational issues involved with the effective management of information technology within an enterprise.​

Enterprise Technology Management (ETM) Specialization

This specialization focuses on information technology as the prime driver of business strategy. It focuses on the strategic, technological, financial and organizational issues involved with the effective management of information technology within an enterprise. The courses in this specialization cover the emerging technologies and the evolving roles and importance of IT in modern organizations; IT-enabled organizational processes and knowledge management; methods to develop, acquire and implement information systems; implementing and managing complex IT projects; security and privacy issues associated with IT.

Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) Specialization

Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialization is designed to prepare students for successful careers in innovation-related roles, allowing them to organize, develop, and commercialize information technology-based innovation in existing firms or to create new technology-based ventures. This specialization prepares students to evaluate opportunities and manage the process of innovation and builds the necessary knowledge and skills that enable leaders to seize market opportunities and drive strategic management and intelligent decision making. It includes courses in both Information Systems and Entrepreneurship and may also include an optional emphasis in Bio-innovation.

Web and Mobile Computing Specialization

This specialization focuses on building and managing large systems using platforms for website development, mobile and wireless applications, and web services and service oriented architectures. The courses provide expertise in .Net programming, business process management, internet and mobile technologies, website development technologies, data warehousing and administration, and service oriented architecture. Project management coursework enables graduates to successfully handle highly, complex systems development projects in the business world.

Geographic Information Systems and Geomatics (GIS) Specialization Required Course: (3 hours)

Complete the following course:

• CVEN 5381 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems and Geomatics (GIS) Option Elective Courses: (9 hours)

Complete three of the following courses:

• CVEN 5382 - Geospatial Data Development
• CVEN 5383 - GIS Analysis – Theory and Practice
• CVEN 5384 - GIS Project Management
• CVEN 5385 - GIS Relational Database Systems
• CVEN 5386 - GIS Laboratory
• CVEN 5387 - Advanced Remote Sensing
• CVEN 5390 - Interactive Web Mapping GIS
• CVEN 5391 - Introduction to Geomatics
• CVEN 5392 - Unmanned Aerial Systems
• CVEN 5395 - GPS/GNSS

• CVEN courses are offered through the College of Engineering in an online/video instruction format.