Department of Information Science

Main Office
Discovery Park, Room E292

Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #311068
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-3736 or 877-ASK-SLIS
Fax: 940-565-3101
TDD access: 800-735-2989

E-mail: l is-chair@unt.edu
Web site: http://informationscience.unt.edu/

Jiangping Chen, Chair

Faculty

The Bachelor of Science with a major in information science at the University of North Texas will equip graduates with the knowledge needed to build competencies in important and emerging areas such as:

information organization,
information architecture,
information seeking and analysis,
health informatics,
knowledge management,
digital content and digital curation, and
information systems.

The BS with a major in information science prepares students for a career at the intersection of information, people and technology. Students earning this degree are able to customize their program by developing focused areas of study (concentrations) or by choosing a minor or certificate in another field.

Information has increased in importance, opening the door to exciting opportunities. A key component of the information science program is its flexibility. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online and blended, that allows you to balance classes with full-time or part-time employment.

Academic advising

Advising on courses, programs and related questions is available through the college advising office, Discovery Park, Room C232; 940-565-2445; ci-advising@unt.edu. All students should have an approved degree audit on file as early as possible, but not later than the beginning of the final 60 hours of courses. Out of state students must contact the college advising office for advising clearance before registering for classes. Calls and visits by prospective students are welcomed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bachelor of Science with a major in information science

The bachelor’s program goal is to provide general educational preparation for students planning to enter the information professions. The bachelor’s program objectives are for students to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to:

the roles and impacts of information policies, practices, and information itself on diverse populations in a rapidly changing technological and global information society;
human information needs and behavior in order to develop and implement information systems and services that meet user needs;
professional practices necessary to succeed in information-related occupations and to pursue the professional master’s degree; and
the philosophy, principles, and legal and ethical responsibilities of the field.

Requirements

Recognizing that each student is unique, with different interests and career goals, each application is reviewed on its own merit. Because the interdisciplinary nature of the profession attracts people with diverse backgrounds, students are encouraged to discuss their interests and concerns with an advisor from the department. Students must be admitted to the university in order to be accepted in the information science program.

To enroll in more than 6 hours of courses in the department, students must have the following:

at least sophomore standing and
a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5.

For graduation, candidates to the Bachelor of Science with a major in information science must meet the following requirements:

University requirements

A student must have completed a minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be upper level.
See University Core Curriculum Requirements in the Academics section of this catalog for university core curriculum requirements.

Information science major requirements

At least 33 hours including 18 hours of required courses in one of the program concentrations, and at least 15 additional hours selected with the approval of the department.
Cross-functional—45 hours may be completed or transferred from related areas and programs as approved by the department. Students must contact an advisor in the information science program to determine the 45 hours of course work needed to complete the cross-functional area of the degree.
A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required on all courses counted toward the major.

Program Concentrations

Data Science

Data Science is an emerging field involving systematic and methodological approach to managing and manipulating large data sets. The concentration in Data Science is designed to help graduates gain skills and experiences in designing, implementing and transforming data sets into actionable knowledge. IT provides them with the knowledge and competencies needed to work with analytic tools and technologies.

Human Language Technology

Human Computer Technology is an evolving interdisciplinary field that includes computational linguistics, natural language processing, machine translation and artificial intelligence. The concentration provides graduates with the knowledge needed to work with language based technologies such as speech recognition, speech synthesis, machine translation, search engines and computer assisted services. Graduates will have a better understanding of human computer interaction issues and interfaces.

Information science and knowledge organization

Provides graduates with the necessary skills and competencies associated with the collection, classification, storage, retrieval, manipulation, packaging and dissemination of information. It prepares graduates to work with information in a variety of formats and different organizational settings.

Project and knowledge management

Provides graduates with the knowledge and the understanding of the convergence of project management and knowledge management, including the use of associated tools and technologies. It prepares them to assume project management responsibilities including project initiation, planning, scheduling, implementation, knowledge retention and knowledge transfer.

Information management and health informatics

Provides graduates with the skills and competencies needed to work in a healthcare environment and work with health information such as patient information, medical records, medical imaging and clinical research data. Students in the program will explore how to effectively use technology to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare including reducing cost, increasing patient access, and improving diagnosis and treatment.

Digital content and information systems

Provides graduates with practical knowledge needed to manage the increasingly growing volume of digital information. Graduates will have a better understanding of the tools and technologies needed to manage large amounts of data and complex information systems. Students enrolled in the program will have a better understanding of human–computer interaction issues and interfaces.

Scholarships

There are various scholarships for which information science majors who are entering freshmen, transfer students or continuing students may apply. For specific information and application forms, contact the department chair, administrative assistant, or visit the web page: http://informationscience.unt.edu/scholarships-and-awards.

Programs

Majors

Grad Track Options

Minors

Undergraduate Academic Certificates

Courses