Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The faculty and staff of the ITDS department are here to help you and look forward to answering your questions about the program. We have provided answers to frequently asked questions below.

Undergraduate Program FAQ

What is the difference between ITDS and BCIS and DSCI?

ITDS is the name of our department. This name does NOT appear on any of UNT’s diplomas, or as a course prefix. We offer a B.S. in Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) and a B.B.A. in Business Analytics. Both names appear on the appropriate diplomas, and as course prefixes (DSCI as of fall 2005).

What is the difference between Computer Science and BCIS?

Computer science studies computer operations with the aim of improving the physical operation of the computer; the end user is the computer itself. BCIS studies the application of computer systems to the business needs of organizations. See our website for more details.

How do I apply for one of your programs?

Contact CoB Student Advising.

I’m going to transfer from another school, what courses can I use?

CoB Student Advising (BLB 110) decides that for all courses except in the major (BCIS, DSCI). ITDS decides transfer questions concerning major courses: bring the appropriate form from CoB Student Advising and a detailed syllabus (a course catalogue description is NOT enough).

I want to take classes elsewhere; what courses will transfer?

CoB Student Advising has a list of community college courses that will transfer; contact CoB Student Advising (BLB 110) for that information. If major courses, contact ITDS Advising, because those questions are resolved on a case-by-case basis.

Will BCIS 4800 apply to my degree plan?

BCIS 4800 may apply to your degree program. BCIS may be substituted for an elective if the associated internship provides a substantive learning experience related to one or more information systems topics. Additionally, you must have a 2.7 GPA and have completed a sufficient number of professional field classes to offer value to information systems employers. Your first step is to contact the Career Resource Center to initiate the internship process.

I want to know what my progress is on completing my degree plan

Make an appointment with CoB Student Advising (BLB 110). I need an advising code.

ITDS does not use advising codes except for 6000-level courses. If you are an undergraduate and need an advising code, contact the CoB Student Advising Office (BLB 110).

I’m blocked from registering

ITDS does not block students; CoB does (and sometimes UNT). Contact CoB Student Advising (BLB 110).

The course is closed

ITDS never has a waiting list for BCIS 2610, BCIS 3610, DSCI 2710, or DSCI 3710. If another closed course, ITDS will start a waiting list after the Registrar’s Office has purged the class rolls of those students who preregistered but did not pay their fees on time. You must see a ITDS advisor in person (not by telephone or by email) to have your name placed on a waiting list. Graduating seniors (they must show their Graduation Application Receipt) have first priority on any list.

The teacher said I could get in a closed class

NO BCIS or DSCI teacher has the authority to put any student in his/her class. Only the ITDS Department can do that, using the waiting list policy.

I want to be cleared to take 3000-level and higher classes

Make an appointment with CoB Student Advising (BLB 110).

I want to file for graduation

Make an appointment with CoB Student Advising (BLB 110).

I want you to put me in a different section of the same course

ITDS will not do that; students use the drop-add process to change schedules.

How will you contact me?

ITDS always uses your EagleMail account.

I want to complain about a course

ITDS follows the published UNT procedures (see course catalog or student handbook). You must first try to resolve the problem by discussing it with your instructor. You may find it easier to write an email or letter about your concern; this gives both you and the instructor time to consider carefully what to say and how to say it. If you wish to appeal the instructor’s decision, you must submit your concern in writing to the coordinator (if there is one for your course), who will require at least two business days to evaluate your request before seeing you personally. If you wish to appeal the coordinator’s decision, or if there isn’t a coordinator for your class, then you must submit your concern in writing to the ITDS Chair, who also will require at least two business days to evaluate your request before seeing you personally. UNT documentation provides for still higher levels of appeal. However, the farther away you get from the instructor-level, the more people evaluate whether everyone has followed the published appeal process and the less people investigate other matters, ex., grades.

Graduate Program FAQ

What is the difference between ITDS and BCIS and DSCI?

ITDS is the name of our department and does not appear as a course prefix. The course prefixes are BCIS and DSCI. We also offer M.B.A. concentrations in Information Technology and Business Analytics. We use Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) and Decision Sciences (DSCI) as course prefixes for all 5000 level courses.)

How can I learn about your graduate programs?

See our website for more details.

How do I apply for one of your programs?

Contact CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201).

What is the status of my graduate application?

Contact CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201).

Will my test scores count for my application?

Contact CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201).

Do you offer financial aid / jobs for masters students?

Very rarely. Most of what financial aid we have supports doctoral students or undergraduate majors. We would like to do more, but money is scarce.

I’m going to transfer from another school, what courses can I use?

CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201) decides that for all deficiency courses except in the major. CoB can ask ITDS for a ruling on DSCI 5010 and BCIS 5090. ITDS Advising decides transfer questions concerning all major courses, but the student must supply in each case a detailed syllabus (a catalogue description is NOT enough!).

I want to take classes elsewhere; what courses will transfer?

ITDS Advising will decide these questions on a case by case basis.

Will BCIS 5800 apply on my degree plan?

BCIS 5800 will NOT count toward the MS Business Analytics or MBA Information Technology or MBA Business Analytics.

I want to know what my progress is on completing my degree plan

Make an appointment with CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201) or with the Toulouse Graduate School (ESSC 354).

I need an advising code

ITDS does not use advising codes except for 6000-level courses, and then the student contacts the doctoral advisor or the Graduate Programs Office in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.

I’m blocked from registering

ITDS does not block students; CoB / UNT does. Contact CoB Graduate Programs Office (BLB 201).

The course is closed

ITDS never has a waiting list for BCIS 5090 or MSCI/DSCI 5010. If another closed course, ITDS will start a waiting list after the Registrar’s Office has purged the class rolls of those students who preregistered but did not pay their fees on time. Contact ITDS Advising either in person or by email to have your name placed on a waiting list.

The teacher said I could get in a closed class

NO BCIS or MSCI/DSCI teacher has the authority to put any student in his/her class. Only the ITDS Department can do that, using the waiting list policy.

How will you contact me?

ITDS always uses your EagleMail account.

I want to complain about a course

ITDS follows the published UNT procedures (see course catalog or student handbook). You must first try to resolve the problem by discussing it with your instructor. You may find it easier to write an email or letter about your concern; this gives both you and the instructor time to consider carefully what to say and how to say it. If you wish to appeal the instructor’s decision, you must submit your concern in writing to the coordinator (if there is one for your course), who will require at least two business days to evaluate your request before seeing you personally. If you wish to appeal the coordinator’s decision, or if there isn’t a coordinator for your class, then you must submit your concern in writing to the ITDS Chair, who also will require at least two business days to evaluate your request before seeing you personally. UNT documentation provides for still higher levels of appeal. However, the farther away you get from the instructor-level, the more people evaluate whether everyone has followed the published appeal process and the less people investigate other matters, ex., grades.