Be a Bridge to Information
Employers seek information savvy individuals, and an information sciences minor equips students with the skills to connect people, information, and technology in many settings. The minor can provide a competitive edge when job seeking after graduation.
Minors
Data Science Minor
The intercollegiate Data Science minor, which has one prerequisite course, consists of six courses and 17-18 hours. Four core courses give students a broad background in the foundations of Data Science. The fifth course is a directed elective that allows a student to apply Data Science techniques to a specific field, to deepen their understanding of Data Science methodologies, or to gain further background in the ethical and policy considerations of Data Science. In the sixth course, students pursue an interdisciplinary, team-based capstone experience.
Read more about the Data Science Minor in the 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Information Sciences Minor
The information sciences minor consists of 18 hours. Prerequisite requirements and registration restrictions may apply for some courses.
Complete 9 hours of the following:
- 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
Complete 9 additional hours from the following courses, with at least six of the hours completed at the 400-level:
- CCI 150 – Communication in an Information Age 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 102 – Introduction to Computers 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 220 – Information Search 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 305 – Internet and Society 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 380 – Information Management in Organizations 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 384 – Database Design 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 430 – Foundations of User Experience 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 435 – Usability Testing and Methods 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 436 – Analytics and Metrics for User Experience 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 439 – Interfaces and Interaction Design 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 450 – Writing About Science and Medicine 3 Credit Hours *
- INSC 484 – Database Applications 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 486 – Data Analytics 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 489 – Information Visualization 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 491 – Global Study 1-15 Credit Hours
- INSC 493 – Independent Project or Research 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 495 – Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
- *Meets Volunteer Core Requirements.
Social Media Analytics Minor
The Social Media Analytics (SMA) Minor is open to undergraduate students interested in incorporating social mediaanalytical skills and knowledge into their studies. Students will develop and apply skills to effectively collect, evaluate, analyze, visualize, and communicate social media analytics regardless of disciplinary or professional setting. The minor is open to students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any major at the University of Tennessee. The minor consists of 15 credit hours from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, the School of Information Sciences, and the School of Journalism and Media.
Complete 6 hours from ADPR:
- ADPR 365 – Social Media Strategy 3 Credit Hours
- ADPR 415 – Social Media Analytics 3 Credit Hours
Complete 9 hours from SIS and JEM
- INSC 260 – Programming for Information Applications 3 Credit Hours
- INSC 489 – Information Visualization 3 Credit Hours
- JREM 416 – Audience Analytics 3 Credit Hours
- JREM 419 – Communicating with Data 3 Credit Hours
User Experience Minor
The User Experience Minor is open to undergraduate students interested in incorporating user-centered design skills and knowledge into their studies. Students will learn about user experience research, and develop skills to conduct usability tests, analyze usability metrics, and design effective user-centered interfaces. The minor is open to students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any major at the University of Tennessee. The minor consists of 15 credit hours.
Complete:
- INSC 311 – User-Centered Design
- INSC 430 – Foundations of User Experience
- INSC 435 – Usability Testing and Methods
- INSC 436 – Analytics and Metrics for User Experience
- INSC 439 – Interfaces and Interaction Design
