Today’s IT landscape for enterprise computing is evolving rapidly, with data centers having to meet ever increasing demands with flat budgets. IBM System Z delivers a unique hybrid computing model that allows data centers to optimize workload deployment on best fit technologies with a common management infrastructure (for both mainframe and distributed system resources) while driving down overall costs. This model integrates data serving and analytics for actionable insight and enables fast and flexible delivery of new services to drive innovation.

This program is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The program is offered in certificate form as well as components of existing undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The program provides participants with a global understanding of IBM System Z with special attention given to system administration and ZOS, COBOL programming, CICS and Transaction Processing Systems, DB2 administration and application development. The program is designed to help participants become proficient in these areas in order to become employed at one of many top-tier companies deploying System Z.

The Enterprise Systems Programs are offered in cooperation with the IBM Academic Initiative.  The IBM Academic Initiative is a global program that facilitates the collaboration between IBM and educators to teach students the information technology skills they need to be competitive and keep pace with changes in the workplace.

Members get access to a wider range of assets for themselves and their students, are eligible for additional discounts and assistance, and can build collaborative partnerships with IBM and other institutions in the open source community.

The IBM Academic Initiative System z program seeks to ensure that the next generation of mainframe experts will be available to help more companies and organizations leverage the superior security, availability, scalability, and efficiency of the mainframe. The demand for IT skills is growing, especially for students who have mainframe or enterprise computing skills.
Enterprise Computing:

• All of the top 25 world banks run their businesses on mainframes.
• 71% of global Fortune 500 companies are System z clients.
• 9 out of the top 10 global life/health insurance providers process their high-volume transactions on a mainframe.

See comments from IBM and Industry executives about our curriculum and its relationship to enterprise computing.

• RMU and IBM System z
• The IBM System z Academic Initiative Community
   

REQUIRED COURSES (15 credits)

INFS2130/INFS6130 COBOL Programming ( 3 credits)
This course provides the student an introduction to structured programming through use of the COBOL language. Emphasis is placed on structured programming techniques, logic structures, and modular design; the use of design tools such as flowcharting, hierarchy charts, and/or pseudocode; and the interpretation and development of record layouts, report layouts, and quality program documentation. The student becomes familiar with the syntax and logic of COBOL by coding a sequence of increasingly complex problems. The fundamental elements of batch sequential file processing are stressed, with the application of arithmetic verbs, simple and complex IF statements, EVALUATE statements, 88-levels, internal sorting, control-break processing, single-level table processing and sequential file updating.

INFS3130/INFS6320 Advanced COBOL Programming ( 3 credits)
Students are introduced Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM). The structure and application of an Entry-Sequenced Data Set (ESDS), Key-Sequenced Data Set (KSDS), and Relative Record Data Set (RRDS) are presented and compared. Using the IDCAMS utility students will create and a manage VSAM clusters and datasets to support various COBOL VSAM file maintenance applications. Other course topics include advanced table processing, batch sequential file processing and updating, indexed sequential file processing and updating, random/direct file processing and the use of sub-programs. Additional concepts covered are structured program design considerations, the interrelationship of programs within an information system, coding for program efficiency and clarity, and the creation and use of quality program documentation.

INFS3212/INFS6212 Enterprise Operating Systems ( 3 CREDITS )
Using IBM mainframe hardware, operating systems and applications, this course provides an integrated view of enterprise systems. Students are provided an overview for enterprise physical and logical (LPARs) processors, I/O connectivity, DASD storage, Parallel Sysplex and clustering technologies. An overview of z/OS, z/VM, TSO/E, ISPF, zO/S Unix, datasets in a z/FS file system, JCL, and batch job entry (JES3) concepts are also presented. z/OS programming languages, CICS transaction management, DB2 database management, the z/OS HTTP web server, WebSphere Application Server, networking and security are presented from an operating system perspective. Hands-on assignments are required.

INFS3131/INFS6321 Enterprise Transaction Processing Systems using CICS/COBOL (3 CREDITS)
This course focuses on the CICS Enterprise Transaction Processing System and CICS COBOL applications. CICS architecture, resource definition, CSD files and CICS tables are presented. Using a pseudo-conversational style, students will develop and test several CICS COBOL file applications using Basic Map Support (BMS) and the CICS EXEC interface. CICS Web Applications, Web Services, CICS Java Enterprise applications, and CICS security issues will be introduced.

INFS4241/INFS6242 Enterprise Database Systems (3 CREDITS )
This course focuses on the design, implementation, testing and application integration of an IBM DB2 enterprise database system. Using local client tools students will integrate the business model with logical data and physical models using a Master Data Management (MDM) approach. Using SQL DDL and DML statements students will implement tables and other structures and test the database design using interactive SQL statements and SQL code embedded in a COBOL application. Stored procedures, DB2 administration and security will be introduced.

Advisory Committee
Members of the Advisory Committee come from private and public organizations in the Pittsburgh area. Most are active professionals with years of teaching and training experience. The role of the Advisory Committee is to help shape the curriculum, lead the development of future offerings, identify trends in the discipline, expand partnership opportunities with organizations and professional associations, identify adjunct faculty and guest speakers to teach in the program, mentor students and expand the University’s reach to new audiences. 

Teaching Excellence
Following the University’s decades-long tradition in professional business education, the program is staffed by Information systems faculty who combine years of professional expertise with the ability to teach and train others. Faculty are continually reviewed by students and staff to ensure they provide the most up-to-date and relevant information in the field. Faculty members possess advanced degrees, usually in information systems or related field, and a commitment to continuing education. In addition, as faculty committed to the delivery of ABET accredited programs, the faculty are also committed to on-going academic and applied research.

Academic Credit
Courses offer full academic credit, and you may be able to apply these credits toward either a certificate or towards a degree or both. All degree programs have unique requirements, therefore, you are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor in the Computer Information Systems department regarding the specific requirements for each degree.