School of Information Sciences

Find Success in Information Sciences

Our major prepares students to effectively manage, navigate, analyze, and turn information into action in the public and private sector. From corporate data analysis to app interface design, our degree can prepare you for an enriching information sciences career in a variety of settings and positions.

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Data, Information Management, and Analytics

Information Sciences

User Experience Design

Courses

Major and Concentrations

There are a wide variety of jobs that can be pursued with an information sciences degree, which include UX Designer/Researcher, Data Analyst, Metadata Specialist, IT Analyst, Information Manager, Web Content Analyst, and more! Information science is a broad field which can be taken in a variety of directions and settings; often the only limit is your imagination and willingness to try out a new role.

Graphic depicting a data chart and coding numbers

Data, Information Management, and Analytics

Pursue a career in story telling with data. Courses featured include data analysis/visualization, database management, and more! This concentration consists of the five core BSIS courses, the following four concentration courses, and one capstone project. 

Explore the Data, Information Management, and Analytics concentration

Term 1

  • 1 Arts and Humanities Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • CCI 150 – Communication in an Information Age 3 Credit Hours
  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Select one course:

  • PSYC 110 – General Psychology 3 Credit Hours *
  • SOCI 110 – Social Problems and Social Justice 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-16

Term 1 Milestone Notes

  • Completion of at least 12 hours
  • 2.0 GPA

Term 2

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – US Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • ENGL 102 – English Composition II 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-17

Term 2 Milestone Notes

  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Term 3

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – International Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • COSC 111 – Computational Thinking and the Art of Programming 3 Credit Hours *

Select one course:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 3 Milestone Notes

     One course from:

  • Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *

Term 4

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Electives 6 Credit Hours
  • 1 Written Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *

Select one course:

  • CMST 210 – Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours *
  • CMST 240 – Business and Professional Communication 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 4 Milestone Notes

  • 2.0 GPA

One course from:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Term 5

  • 1 Applied Oral Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 210 – Foundations of Information Technology 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 311 – User-Centered Design 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 5 Milestone Notes

  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours

Term 6

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 6 Credit Hours *
  • 6 INSC Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 384 – Database Design 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 6 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 7

  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 380 – Information Management in Organizations 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 484 – Database Applications 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 486 – Data Analytics 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 7 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 8

  • 6 INSC Electives 9 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 0-3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 489 – Information Visualization 3 Credit Hours

Select one course:

  • INSC 491 – Global Study 1-15 Credit Hours
  • INSC 493 – Independent Project or Research 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 495 – Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 499 – Professional Experience 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 12-15

Term 8 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Total Credit Hours 120

Footnotes

  1. Select courses from the Volunteer Core list.
  2. Select two courses from the Volunteer Core list. At least one of the courses must have a laboratory.
  3. Select three courses from the Volunteer Core list from at least two subject areas.
  4. Any courses not already required for the major.
  5. Two courses chosen from advertising, advertising and public relations, communication and information, communication studies, journalism and electronic media, and/or public relations.
  6. INSC courses not already required for the major. Students may elect to take DATA 301 as an INSC elective.

* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements.

Information Sciences

The general Information Sciences concentration allows you to study the foundations of the field and to learn how to connect people, information, and technology in the setting that most excites you.

Explore the Information Sciences major

Term 1

  • 1 Arts and Humanities Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • CCI 150 – Communication in an Information Age 3 Credit Hours
  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Select one course:

  • PSYC 110 – General Psychology 3 Credit Hours *
  • SOCI 110 – Social Problems and Social Justice 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-16

Term 1 Milestone Notes

  • Completion of at least 12 hours
  • 2.0 GPA

Term 2

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – US Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • ENGL 102 – English Composition II 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-17

Term 2 Milestone Notes

  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Term 3

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – International Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • COSC 111 – Computational Thinking and the Art of Programming 3 Credit Hours *

Select one course:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 3 Milestone Notes

     One course from:

  • Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *

Term 4

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Electives 6 Credit Hours
  • 1 Written Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *
     

Select one course:

  • CMST 210 – Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours *
  • CMST 240 – Business and Professional Communication 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 4 Milestone Notes

  • 2.0 GPA
     

One course from:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Term 5

  • 1 Applied Oral Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 210 – Foundations of Information Technology 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 311 – User-Centered Design 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 5 Milestone Notes

  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours

Term 6

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 6 Credit Hours *
  • 6 INSC Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Electives 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 6 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 7

  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • 6 INSC Electives 6 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 380 – Information Management in Organizations 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 7 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 8

  • 6 INSC Electives 9 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 0-3 Credit Hours

Select one course:

  • INSC 491 – Global Study 1-15 Credit Hours
  • INSC 493 – Independent Project or Research 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 495 – Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 499 – Professional Experience 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 12-15

Term 8 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Total Credit Hours 120

Footnotes

  1. Select courses from the Volunteer Core list.
  2. Select two courses from the Volunteer Core list. At least one of the courses must have a laboratory.
  3. Select three courses from the Volunteer Core list from at least two subject areas.
  4. Any courses not already required for the major.
  5. Two courses chosen from advertising, advertising and public relations, communication and information, communication studies, journalism and electronic media, and/or public relations.
  6. INSC courses not already required for the major. Students may elect to take DATA 301 as an INSC elective.

* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements.

User Experience Design

Our UX Design concentration prepares you for a career as a UX professional. Courses include topics like UX foundations; interface and interaction design; usability testing; and UX analytics. 

Explore the User Experience Design concentration

Term 1

  • 1 Arts and Humanities Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • CCI 150 – Communication in an Information Age 3 Credit Hours
  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Select one course:

  • PSYC 110 – General Psychology 3 Credit Hours *
  • SOCI 110 – Social Problems and Social Justice 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-16

Term 1 Milestone Notes

  • Completion of at least 12 hours
  • 2.0 GPA

Term 2

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – US Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 2 Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • ENGL 102 – English Composition II 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15-17

Term 2 Milestone Notes

  • ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

Term 3

  • 1 Expanded Perspectives Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 1 Global Citizenship – International Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • COSC 111 – Computational Thinking and the Art of Programming 3 Credit Hours *

Select one course:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 3 Milestone Notes

     One course from:

  • Natural Sciences Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Elective 3-4 Credit Hours *

Term 4

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 4 Unrestricted Electives 6 Credit Hours
  • 1 Written Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *
     

Select one course:

  • CMST 210 – Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours *
  • CMST 240 – Business and Professional Communication 3 Credit Hours *

Credit Hours 15

Term 4 Milestone Notes

  • 2.0 GPA
     

One course from:

  • STAT 201 – Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *
  • STAT 207 – Honors: Introduction to Statistics 3 Credit Hours *

Term 5

  • 1 Applied Oral Communication Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 210 – Foundations of Information Technology 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 311 – User-Centered Design 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 5 Milestone Notes

  • INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 3 Credit Hours

Term 6

  • 3 Engaged Inquiries Elective 6 Credit Hours *
  • 6 INSC Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 430 – Foundations of User Experience 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 6 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 7

  • 5 College Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 380 – Information Management in Organizations 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 435 – Usability Testing and Methods 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 436 – Analytics and Metrics for User Experience 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15

Term 7 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Term 8

  • 6 INSC Electives 6 Credit Hours
  • 4 Unrestricted Elective 0-3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 439 – Interfaces and Interaction Design 3 Credit Hours

Select one course:

  • INSC 491 – Global Study 1-15 Credit Hours
  • INSC 493 – Independent Project or Research 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 495 – Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
  • INSC 499 – Professional Experience 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 12-15

Term 8 Milestone Notes

  • No milestones

Total Credit Hours 120

Footnotes

  1. Select courses from the Volunteer Core list.
  2. Select two courses from the Volunteer Core list. At least one of the courses must have a laboratory.
  3. Select three courses from the Volunteer Core list from at least two subject areas.
  4. Any courses not already required for the major.
  5. Two courses chosen from advertising, advertising and public relations, communication and information, communication studies, journalism and electronic media, and/or public relations.
  6. INSC courses not already required for the major. Students may elect to take DATA 301 as an INSC elective.

* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements.

Let Information Light the Way

Courses

More details about the Information Sciences concentrations and courses can be found in the 2023-2024 Catalog.

INSC 102 – Introduction to Computers

3 Credit Hours

Information and communication technology (ICT) for personal and professional use. History of computing and essential terminology. Common information systems, networks and applications.

INSC 201 – Foundations of Information Sciences 

3 Credit Hours

History and core concepts of information representation, organization and retrieval. Human information behavior. Information production, consumption and use, information literacy and information policy.

INSC 210 – Foundations of Information Technology

3 Credit Hours

Principles, selection and use of computer-based information management applications. Application software, the Internet and web technologies. Systems development methods. Management of information systems. Network security, information security and information assurance.

INSC 220 – Information Search 

3 Credit Hours

Planning and conducting information searches. Evaluating information sources.

INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications

3 Credit Hours

Programming languages with emphasis on data structures, in-built functions, user-defined variables, syntax and control structures for processing and visualizing datasets.

INSC 295 – Special Topics in Information Sciences

1-3 Credit Hours

Study of a specialized area of information sciences or information technology. Topics vary by semester.

Repeatability: May be repeated if topic differs. Maximum 6 hours.

INSC 305 – Internet and Society 

3 Credit Hours

Social study of the Internet, including historical development, Internet technologies and use. Internet ethics and governance. Contemporary issues concerning equitable access, privacy, security, intellectual property and censorship.

INSC 311 – User-Centered Design 

3 Credit Hours

Application of user research theories and techniques for placing user needs across all design process stages. Conducting user research, gathering requirements and planning and developing intuitive, user-friendly products.

INSC 380 – Information Management in Organizations 

3 Credit Hours

Theories and practices related to the processes, technologies, people, decisions and policies for managing information.

INSC 384 – Database Design 

3 Credit Hours

Procedures and techniques in database design and development. Conceptual data modeling. Logical database design. Physical database design process. Structured Query Language (SQL)

INSC 395 – Special Topics in Information Sciences 

1-3 Credit Hours

Study of a specialized area of information sciences or information technology. Topics vary by semester.

Repeatability: May be repeated if topic differs. Maximum 6 hours.

INSC 430 – Foundations of User Experience 

3 Credit Hours

Concepts, principles and theories of user experience (UX). User research. UX lifecycle. Contextual and inclusive design.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 311.

INSC 435 – Usability Testing and Methods 

3 Credit Hours

Processes and methods of testing information services and systems. Developing assessment reports for websites, mobile content and other information products.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 430.

INSC 436 – Analytics and Metrics for User Experience 

3 Credit Hours

Concepts in analytics and metrics. Identifying, selecting and applying appropriate tools. Analyzing and interpreting data to improve services and systems.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 430.

INSC 439 – Interfaces and Interaction Design

3 Credit Hours

Human computer interaction and system design. Interface evaluations and prototype development for improved interfaces.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 430.

INSC 450 – Writing About Science and Medicine 

3 Credit Hours

INSC 484 – Database Applications 

3 Credit Hours

Applying database models to develop applications using a database management system. Developing prototype client/server applications. Advanced Structured Query Language (SQL).

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 360 and INSC 384.

INSC 486 – Data Analytics 

3 Credit Hours

Concepts, techniques, and tools of data analytics. Collecting, extracting and transforming data. Mining data to discover hidden patterns and knowledge. Investigating application of data analytics in various information environments.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 360.

INSC 489 – Information Visualization 

3 Credit Hours

Visual, intuitive and interactive representation of information. Fundamental understanding of human perceptual and cognitive capabilities, computer graphics, user interface and creativity. Designs and techniques for visualizing various types of data.

(RE) Prerequisite(s): INSC 360.

INSC 491 – Global Study 

1-15 Credit Hours

Participation in school-sponsored study-abroad program. Determination of credit hours based on particular program.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 15 hours

Comment(s):  2.0 GPA required; minimum student level ― sophomore

Registration Permission:  Consent of instructor

INSC 493 – Independent Project or Research 

3 Credit Hours

Selected readings or independent research in an area of information sciences to be determined by the student in consultation with supervising faculty member and, ordinarily, in an area of study not covered by school curriculum.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Comment(s): This course may be used to satisfy capstone requirement for Information sciences majors.

Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

INSC 495 – Special Topics 

3 Credit Hours

Study of a specialized area of information sciences or information technology. Topics vary by semester.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Comment(s): This course may be used to satisfy capstone requirement for Information Sciences majors.

INSC 499 – Professional Experience

3 Credit Hours

Translate knowledge into practice through a practicum, internship or other supervised work experience at a departmentally approved employer. May take place off or on campus.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Recommended Background: Completion of required and pertinent courses relevant to student’s practicum design.

Comment(s): This course may be used to satisfy capstone requirement for Information Sciences majors.

Registration Restriction(s): Information Sciences majors. Minimum class level-junior.

Registration Permission: Approval of practicum coordinator.

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