COURSE CURRICULUM

An Information Science degree with a concentration in Data Science provides students with a strong mix of technical, analytical, and information management skills that prepare them for careers in today’s data-driven world. This program is designed to help students understand how information is created, organized, analyzed, and applied across a wide range of industries, while also developing specialized skills in data science and analytics. One of the key highlights of the program is exposure to diverse academic and professional perspectives through special lectures hosted by the College of Information and the department, where renowned scholars share insights into emerging trends in information science and data-driven decision-making. Students also benefit from strong professional engagement, as faculty and students are active members of respected organizations such as the iSchools consortium, the American Library Association, the Association for Information Science and Technology, and the Knowledge and Information Professional Association, which helps build networking and career opportunities. The program also offers flexible and accelerated pathways such as the “degree in three” option and graduate track programs, allowing motivated students to complete their education more quickly and move into advanced study or careers sooner. Financial support and scholarships are available to recognize academic excellence and creative achievement, making the program more accessible and rewarding for high-performing students. Instruction is offered in multiple formats, including face-to-face, online, and blended learning, which allows students to balance education with work or other responsibilities. Career opportunities for graduates include roles such as corporate researcher, data scientist, information analyst, information specialist, and knowledge manager, all of which involve working with data and information to support decision-making and organizational efficiency. Coursework includes subjects such as data visualization, data modeling and warehousing, statistical methods for data science, metadata organization, automation project management, and principles of data science and analytics. Overall, this degree prepares students to turn complex data into meaningful insights and apply information science principles in business, technology, healthcare, government, and other fields where data plays a critical role.