The BS in Information Science studies how information is acquired, organized, communicated and used by both people and computers. The program combines concepts and skills from computer science, behavioral/social science, and system design into an integrated curriculum that is people-centered. The required coursework covers information architecture; information system design and development; programming and software design; database design; systems and networks; information resource management; social informatics; quantitative and qualitative research methods; and human-computer interaction.
Although there is no sharp boundary between the concerns of Computer Science and Information Science, it may be said that CS is concerned with building the software and services infrastructure used by people and organizations worldwide whereas IS is concerned with the information and software needs of a particular business, health-care provider, government agency, or non-profit. Thus, an IS person may often need to adapt and enhance the software systems provided by the CS person. Both the CS and the IS person need an awareness of technical issues and people issues.
This degree program requires 133 SH
Computer Science (36 or 37 SH: 8 @ 4 SH, 4 or 5 @ 1 SH)
Required Computer Science Courses (36 or 37 SH)
Freshmen and certain transfers will take CS 1200 during Fall semester.
Starting in Fall 2012, all students will take CS 1210 in the semester before going on co-op.
Prior to Fall 2012, transfers took CS 1220 instead of CS 1210. Starting in Fall 2012, CS 1220 will not be offered.
- CS 1200 CS/IS Overview 1 [1 SH]
- CS 1210 CS/IS Overview 2: Co-op Preparation [1 SH]
- CS 1220 CS/IS Co-op Preparation [1 SH]
Freshman level courses with labs or recitations
- CS 1800 Discrete Structures [4 SH]
- CS 1801 Recitation for CS 1800 [0 SH]
- CS 2500 Fundamentals of Computer Science 1 [4 SH]
- CS 2501 Lab for CS 2500 [1 SH]
- CS 2510 Fundamentals of Computer Science 2 [4 SH]
- CS 2511 Lab for CS 2510 [1 SH]
- CS 2800 Logic and Computation [4 SH]
- CS 2801 Lab for CS 2800 [1 SH]
Upper level courses
- CS 2600 Computer Organization [4 SH]
- CS 3200 Database Design [4 SH]
- CS 3500 Object-Oriented Design [4 SH]
- CS 3600 Systems & Networks [4 SH]
Information Science (37 SH: 8 @ 4 SH, 1 @ 5 SH)
Required Information Science Courses (29 SH)
Courses in Information Science
- IS 2000 Principles of Information Science [4 SH]
- IS 3500 Information System Design & Development [4 SH]
- IS 4300 Human Computer Interaction [4 SH]
- IS 4800 Empirical Research Methods [4 SH]
- IS 4900 Information Science Senior Project [5 SH]
Related courses from other units
Information Science Elective Requirements (8 SH)
- IS Elective 1 [4 SH]
- IS Elective 2 [4 SH]
An IS elective may be a 4 SH course that is not already required and that is in the ranges:
For this degree program, an IS elective may also be one of the following specific courses:
Note: MISM 3408 is no longer offered.
- CS 2600 or higher, except CS 5010
- IS 2000 or higher, except IS 4900
- MISM 3408 Knowledge Management [4 SH]
- MISM 4501 Business Systems Integration [4 SH]
- MISM 4512 Special Topics in Information Technology Management [4 SH]
- ACCT 1201orACCT 1209 Financial Accounting and Reporting [4 SH]
- ACCT 3403 Accounting Information Systems [4 SH]
- ECON 3560 Applied Econometrics [4 SH]
- COMM 1231 Principles of Organizational Communication [4 SH]
- COMM 2531 Application of Organizational Communication [4 SH]
- COMM 3532 Theories of Conflict and Negotiation [4 SH]
- PSYC 3450 Learning and Motivation [4 SH]
- PSYC 3452 Introduction to Sensation and Perception [4 SH]
- PSYC 3458 Psychobiology [4 SH]
- PSYC 3464 Psychology of Language [4 SH]
- PSYC 4520 Language and the Brain [4 SH]
- PSYC 4604 Laboratory in Learning and Motivation [4 SH]
- PSYC 4606 Laboratory in Psychobiology [4 SH]
- PSYC 4610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics [4 SH]
- PSYC 4612 Laboratory in Cognition [4 SH]
- PSYC 4622 Laboratory in Sensation and Perception [4 SH]
- LING 3450 Syntax [4 SH]
- LING 3452 Semantics [4 SH]
- POLS 2390 Science, Technology, and Public Policy [4 SH]
Behavioral Science (16 SH: 4 @ 4 SH)
- ECON 1116 Microeconomics [4 SH]
- PSYC 1101 Foundations of Psychology [4 SH]
- PSYC 3466 Cognition [4 SH]
- ORGB 3201orORGB 3209 Organizational Behavior [4 SH]
English (8 SH: 2 @ 4 SH)
With permission, you may substitute ENGL 3301 for ENGL 3302.
- ENGL 3301 Advanced Writing in the Disciplines [4 SH]
Mathematics (8 SH: 4 @ 4 SH)
General Electives (28 SH: 7 @ 4 SH)
- Elective 1: Level 1 Arts/Humanities Core [4 SH]
- Elective 2: Level 1 Science/Technology Core (see below) [4 SH]
- Elective 3 [4 SH]
- Elective 4 [4 SH]
- Elective 5 [4 SH]
- Elective 6 [4 SH]
- Elective 7 [4 SH]
The general electives must be consistent with the policy on general electives articulated by the College of Computer and Information Science on the college web site.
NU Core
1 of the general electives must be used to satisfy:
1 of the general electives must be a science chosen from the Level 1 Science/Technology core. This course must not be a technology course. If the science course chosen requires a lab then that lab must be taken as well.
Comparative Cultures Requirement
The Comparative Cultures Requirement must be satisfied. If this is done by taking a course then this course must be one of the general electives that is taken in addition to the NU Core Level 1 electives.
