The Master of Science in Information Science program is designed to
prepare students to contribute to the design, development, and maintenance
of information systems and networks; to provide leadership in the
development of new technologies and new applications relating to the
delivery of information to users; and to demonstrate a theoretical
knowledge of information science, including the theory of information
storage and retrieval, systems science, and social, political, and ethical
implications of information systems.
Required courses include:
Advisors work closely with students to select courses that fit their interests in order to
fashion a specialization aligned to their interests. Typically, a specialization would
include at least three or four advanced courses in the interest area, a Master's paper or
project exploring some particular aspect in depth, and possibly a fieldwork or internship
in the
area if the student has little or no prior experience in the work. From the four examples
listed above, sample suggested courses are as follows:
Surveys of
current students (Appendix L), alumni
(Appendix N) and employers (Appendix H) were
conducted this past year. They are
described in more detail in the evaluation
section of the MSLS description.. Although there were a
few individual
concerns expressed, on the whole students, alumni/ae, and employers are
positive and rate the
various aspects of the program and the school highly.
Revised 10/25/99The Master of
Science in Information Science Program (MSIS)
Philosophy and
Theoretical Base
The theoretical foundations for information science derive from the study
of information management, organization, retrieval, and communication
in individual, organizational, social and cultural contexts. The
knowledge
base includes social, cultural and multinational flow of information, the
use of information, ethical aspects, information policy, and a study of
the multidisciplinary base of information science.
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum of the Master of Science in Information Science is a
48-credit hour program, designed
around the same five functional areas as is the curriculum for the MSLS
degree although particular core courses differ: organization, collection
and retrieval, communication, design and evaluation, and management. Basic
computing knowledge is an entrance requirement. Elective courses
build upon required courses in each of the five functional areas.
Required Courses Organization INLS 150: Organization of Information Collection and Retrieval INLS 172: Information
Retrieval Communication INLS 180: Communication Processes
(NOTE:
Course revised in Spring 99. New name: Human Interaction Processes.
New Requirement: Must be taken in first 24 hours of program. Lab
component in public speaking added -- INLS 180L (1
credit))Design and Evaluation INLS 162 Systems Analysis and
INLS
201: Research Methods (Taken after completing at least 12 semester hours)Management INLS 131: Management of Information
Agencies Areas of Specialization
Within this degree track, students
may focus their choice of courses on a number of areas. Four examples of
possible specializations are: human information behavior, database and
information retrieval systems, networking and Internet technologies, and
management of information systems. This degree program is intended to prepare students for
careers in information work. Current interests of students in this track focus on the
design, implementation, evaluation, and management of a wide
variety of information systems including databases, networks, multimedia, the World Wide
Web, instruction technologies, and other emerging technologies. Information resources
management and management of information systems may also be a focus.
Students may supplement the courses offered in SILS with elective courses from other
departments on campus (such as the Kenan-Flagler Business School or the Department of
Computer Science) or from nearby universities within the Triangle area, e.g., Duke
University or North Carolina State University. Evaluation of Program
An evaluation of the program is carried out in a number of ways: through
student course evaluations, through oversight by the Master's Committee,
through peer observation of teaching, through periodic surveys of alumni
and graduates, of course, through Committee on Accreditation
monitoring.