Information and Policies
Introduction
Technology and Information Management (TIM) is a rigorous, challenging major for those students wanting to pursue careers in the management of information and technology. TIM students will receive a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles and practices of technology (in particular, computer science and computer engineering) and management, and the scientific, mathematics, and economics principles upon which they are built. In particular, they will become proficient in the following areas: strategy, planning, innovation, entrepreneurship, information technology, software design, product development, and supply-chain management.
The essence of the technology and information management major at UCSC is the integration of fundamental intellectual content from the disciplines of computer science, computer engineering, business management economics, and finance. TIM students learn how to apply the fundamentals of these diverse disciplines to solving problems that require the integration of management and technology, e.g., developing information technology systems to manage all activities and operations in a firm, e-commerce, managing and commercializing a new technology, and starting a new high-technology company.
To graduate with a B.S. in technology and information management, students normally complete 24 required courses (with two laboratories, totaling 123 quarter credits) plus three elective courses (15 quarter credits) for the technology and information management major program. Honors students are likely to find the rigorous management and leadership elements of the program of significant interest. Industrial interactions and projects are key features of this major.
Academic Advising for the Program
The Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in School of Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications. Undergraduate students obtain and submit all paperwork requiring departmental approval to the undergraduate advising office. Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
advising@soe.ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840
Getting Started in the Major
The technology and information management major is intended for students with an interest in both technology and business. It is recommended that students intending to declare this major have completed four years of mathematics (through advanced algebra and trigonometry) and three years of science in high school. Completion of business-oriented computer literacy and basic programming courses is of benefit to students entering this major. Completion of any economics and/or business-related courses in high school is also beneficial, but the faculty realizes that these courses may not be available at many high schools. Completion of comparable college courses at other institutions serves to strengthen the preparation of a student for the technology and information management major.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the TIM program will acquire the following:
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Students will learn how to apply knowledge of engineering, economics, and mathematics to analyze complex problems in the management of technology and information science.
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Students will develop a broad, interdisciplinary knowledge of problems in the management of technology and information science, and skills to address them.
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Students will develop depth of expertise in the management of technology and information science.
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Students will be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with individuals who have diverse ideas, expertise, and skill levels within the fields of management of technology and information science.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
In order to be admitted into the technology and information management major students must be listed as a proposed major within the School of Engineering. Please refer to the School of Engineering's "Proposed Major Retention" and its "Declaring a School of Engineering Major" sections in the catalog for more information.
In addition, to be admitted to the TIM major after a student has entered UCSC, students need to complete a total of six courses chosen from the following:
Mathematics
At least one of the following:
Engineering
At least one course from the following:
| CSE 12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE 12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE 13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE 30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Students with no prior programming will take CSE 20 before CSE 30 and CSE 12 & CSE 12L.
Economics and Technology and Information Management
At least one additional course must be chosen from the following:
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| ECON 10A | Economics of Accounting | 5 |
| CSE 50 | Business Information Systems | 5 |
Three additional courses
At least three additional courses must be chosen from the following:
| CSE 12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE 12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE 13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE 30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
| CSE 16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE 50 | Business Information Systems | 5 |
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| ECON 10A | Economics of Accounting | 5 |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 20A | Honors Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 20B | Honors Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| AM 30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
Eligibility to declare the major
Students in their first six quarters who have completed at least six qualifying courses in the TIM major will need to meet the following:
1. Their cumulative GPA is at least 2.4 in all of the major qualification courses attempted.
2. They have no more than 7 credits resulting in grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F or NP among all of the TIM major qualification courses attempted.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director through the Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, college, and Office of the Registrar of the decision.
How to Declare a Major
For instructions about how to declare a major in the Baskin School of Engineering, please refer to the department's major declaration page for information.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
The requirements for transfer students are as follows:
1) Transfer students must have completed at least six of the lower-division courses from the list below.
2) A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4 is required in all the lower-division courses taken from the list below.
Students entering UC Santa Cruz by fall 2020 and students who have catalog rights to follow the 2018-19 General Catalog may follow the screening requirements published in that catalog.
Students who wish to graduate in two years are strongly recommended to complete all screening courses except CSE 50, CSE 12 and CSE 12L, and CSE 13S, as well as most general education requirements, before coming to UCSC.
Students should consult assist.org to determine which courses at other institutions in California are transferable to UCSC.
| CSE 12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE 12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE 13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE 30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
| CSE 16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE 50 | Business Information Systems | 5 |
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| ECON 10A | Economics of Accounting | 5 |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 20A | Honors Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 20B | Honors Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| AM 30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students should declare their major in their first quarter at UC Santa Cruz. Instructions for declaring a major in the Baskin School of Engineering are on the department's website.
Letter Grade Policy
All students admitted to a School of Engineering major, or seeking admission to a major, must take all courses required for that major for a letter grade. This policy includes courses required for these degrees that are sponsored by other departments.
School of Engineering Policies
Please refer to the School of Engineering section of the catalog for additional policies that apply to all School of Engineering programs. These policies include admission to the major and the need for UC Santa Cruz students to obtain pre-approval before taking courses elsewhere.
Course Substitution Policy
Undergraduate engineering students who wish to substitute a major course with a course from UC Santa Cruz must first consult the School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising Office. The advising office requires a Petition for Course Substitution be approved before credit for an alternate course can be applied to any School of Engineering major requirement.
Petition forms are available at the undergraduate advising office and online.
Petitions and procedures for approval must be obtained from and submitted to the Undergraduate Advising Office.
Honors
The TIM program awards honors to students whose academic performance is excellent. Students with a GPA 3.5 or higher but lower than 3.7 will be awarded honors. Students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher will be awarded highest honors. Students who have been found guilty of academic misconduct are not eligible for either honors or highest honors.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Statistics
Mathematics
One of the following options
Plus one of the following
| AM 30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
| MATH 22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
Plus one of the following options
Economics
All of the following
| ECON 1 | Introductory Microeconomics: Resource Allocation and Market Structure | 5 |
| ECON 2 | Introductory Macroeconomics: Aggregate Economic Activity | 5 |
| ECON 10A | Economics of Accounting | 5 |
Computer Science and Engineering
All of the following
| CSE 12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE 12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE 13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE 16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE 20 | Beginning Programming in Python | 5 |
| CSE 30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
Plus these courses
| CSE 50 | Business Information Systems | 5 |
| CSE 58 | Systems Analysis and Design | 5 |
Upper-Division Courses
Computer Science and Engineering
All of the following:
| CSE 150 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 5 |
| CSE 150L | Introduction to Computer Networks Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE 170 | Management of Technology Seminar | 2 |
| CSE 171A | Introduction to Management of Technology I | 5 |
| CSE 171B | Introduction to Management of Technology II | 5 |
| CSE 175 | Business Strategy and Information Systems | 5 |
| CSE 182 | Introduction to Database Management Systems | 5 |
Economics
One of the following courses
| ECON 100A | Intermediate Microeconomics | 5 |
| ECON 100M | Intermediate Microeconomics, Math Intensive | 5 |
Plus the following
Electives
Two 5-credit School of Engineering courses
Students select two upper-division School of Engineering electives on the basis of their particular interests. These electives may be any 5-credit upper-division or graduate School of Engineering courses, with the following limitations:
Plus
One 5-credit, upper-division economics course
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in technology and information management is satisfied by completing CSE 175.
| CSE 175 | Business Strategy and Information Systems | 5 |
Comprehensive Requirement
Students complete three project-intensive courses, CSE 175, CSE 171A, and CSE 171B, which constitute the comprehensive requirements for the technology and information management major, based on the dual aspects (technology of management and management of technology) of the program. CSE 175 deals with the technology of management, and CSE 171A, and CSE 171B are a sequence that deal with the management of technology. All three courses involve a substantial amount of critical thinking and writing within the context of comprehensive projects.
CSE 175 requires that students understand and use a structured methodology to evaluate the competitive use of information systems within an enterprise. This is accomplished by a team project as well as by an individual project that involves researching and writing a comprehensive analytical term paper using a methodology taught as part of this course.
CSE 171A requires that students understand and apply structured methodologies for the development, management, and commercialization of technologies and products. Students will work in teams on a comprehensive term project in the development, commercialization, and management of high-tech products in the domains of computers, networks, semiconductors, mechatronics, and biotechnology.
CSE 171B requires that students understand and apply structured methodologies and tools for designing, developing, and managing the supply chain for high-tech products. Students will continue the comprehensive team project from CSE 171A to design, develop, and manage the supply chain for the products developed in CSE 171A.
| CSE 175 | Business Strategy and Information Systems | 5 |
| CSE 171A | Introduction to Management of Technology I | 5 |
| CSE 171B | Introduction to Management of Technology II | 5 |
Planners
The following are two sample academic plans for students pursuing the technology and information management major. Plan One is for first-year students, and Plan Two is designed for transfer students that have completed all general education requirements. Students completing the courses in the four-year planner will have satisfied the MF, PE and SR General Education requirements.
Four-Year Major Planner
Two-Year Transfer Major Planner*
*This plan assumes that transfer students have completed all of their lower-division courses for the technology and information management major, with the exception of CSE 50 and CSE 58, prior to attending UCSC.
Curriculum charts for all BSOE majors are available at the department's website.