School of Information and Library Science
JOSÉ-MARIE GRIFFITHS, Dean and Professor
Paul Solomon, Senior
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Francis Carroll McColl Term Professor
Jeffrey Tibbs, Associate
Dean for Administration
Professors
Stephanie Haas, Robert Losee, Gary Marchionini (Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor), Joanne Marshall (Alumni Distinguished Professor), Sarah C. Michalak, Barbara Moran, Jerry Saye, Helen Tibbo, Barbara Wildemuth.
Associate Professors
Deborah Barreau, David Carr, Claudia Gollop, Jane Greenberg (Francis Carroll McColl Term Professor), Brad Hemminger, Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Javed Mostafa, Paul Solomon (Francis Carroll McColl Term Professor), Brian Sturm, Mark Winston.
Assistant Professors
Catherine Blake, Diane Kelly, Christopher Lee, Jeff Pomerantz.
Distinguished Research Professor
Donald W. King.
Clinical Associate Professor
Paul Jones.
Professors Emeriti
Evelyn Daniel, Edward Holley.
Introduction
The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) was founded in 1931 and is one of the most highly regarded graduate programs of its kind in the nation. The school first offered a minor in information systems in 1997 and initiated a major in information science in 2003. UNC–Chapel Hill is the only university in the state offering a bachelor’s degree in information science and is one of only a handful of schools nationwide offering such a program.
Information science is the study of cognitive, social, technological, and organizational roles of information in all its forms. It rests on three foundational pillars: 1) the content or substance of the information being created, communicated, stored, and/or transformed; 2) people who interact with the content as creators of information, recipients of information, or intermediaries in the communication process; and 3) technology used to support the creation, communication, storage, or transformation of the content.
The bachelor of science in information science is designed to prepare its graduates for a variety of careers in the information industry, including information architecture, database design and implementation, Web design and implementation, networking support, and information consulting, as well as for graduate study. The minor in information systems provides students with an understanding of computing, networking, multimedia, electronic information resources, and the Internet that complements their major field of study. Students concentrate their studies in the junior and senior years.
Programs of Study
The degree offered is bachelor of science in information science. A minor in information systems is also offered.
Admission to the School of Information and Library Science
Undergraduate students who have completed at least the first semester of their sophomore year may apply for admission to either the major or minor program. Participation is limited, and admission is competitive. Criteria for admission include the candidate’s academic record, work and extracurricular experience, and substantive thinking about the role of information in society (and, for applicants to the minor, in his or her major field). Candidates from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds are sought for the minor. Level of prior computer experience is not a criterion for admission to the minor.
To apply for admission, students must fill out an application form, available at sils.unc.edu/programs/bsis/index.html, and attach the saved application form and the following items in an e-mail (PDF preferred; Word documents acceptable) to ismajor@ils.unc.edu:
• A current résumé, including information about work experience and/or extracurricular activities
• A brief essay (100–300 words), discussing the role of information (its creation, communication, storage, and/or transmission) in a particular application area or in society at large, and the candidate’s reason(s) for pursuing the major in information science
Applications are only accepted through e-mail; no paper applications are accepted.
Questions can be addressed to the Undergraduate Student Services Manager, School of Information and Library Science, 100 Manning Hall, CB# 3360; sending e-mail to ismajor@ils.unc.edu; or by calling (919) 962-8366.
Majoring in Information Science: Bachelor of Science
The information science major integrates the study of the creation and management of information content, the characteristics and needs of the people who create and use information, and the technologies used to support the creation and manipulation of information. Graduating students will
• Understand the many ways in which information can be created, communicated, stored, and/or transformed in order to benefit individuals, organizations, and society
• Possess practical skills for analyzing, processing, and managing information and for developing and managing information systems in our knowledge-based society. They will possess problem-solving and decision-making skills, be able to utilize information tools effectively, and be able to take a leadership role in our information economy
• Comprehend the value of information and information tools, and their role in society and the economy
• Be prepared to evaluate the role of information in a variety of industries, in different organizational settings, for different populations, and for different purposes
• Maintain a strong sense of the role of information in society, including historical and future roles
The information science major consists of 10 courses (30 credits), including a prerequisite course, INLS 200. The courses required for completion of the B.S.I.S. are as follows:
• INLS 200 Retrieving and Analyzing Information (prerequisite to enrollment in the major; generally taken in the sophomore year)
• INLS 261 Tools for Information Literacy
• INLS 285 Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness
• INLS 382 Information Systems Analysis and Design
• INLS 523 Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications
• INLS 697 Emerging Topics in Information Science (taken in the senior year)
In addition, each student should work with his or her advisor to select a coherent set of four or more electives that will meet the student’s objectives. All electives, including SILS courses, must be approved by the Undergraduate Committee.
B.S.I.S. students are not allowed to complete more than 45 credits of their program (i.e., 45 of the 120 credits needed for graduation from UNC–Chapel Hill) in SILS courses. They may take a few additional electives in SILS but are encouraged to acquire a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences.
All SILS courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Students may not select the PS/D/F option for any of the courses fulfilling requirements for the B.S.I.S. major or for any additional electives in SILS. A minimum grade point average for graduation is 2.0.
Minoring in Information Systems
The undergraduate minor in information systems provides students with an understanding of computing, networking, multimedia, electronic information resources, and the Internet that can be used to solve problems in a variety of contexts. The minor complements the student’s major field of study by offering knowledge, skills, and experience using these technologies. The undergraduate minor in information systems requires that students earn 15 credits of approved courses, receiving grades of C or better. Students enrolled in the minor must take INLS 200, 261, 382, and 523. In addition, students will take the remaining three credits as an elective. The elective may be INLS 285, 318, 396, 397, or 697, an INLS course numbered above 400, or a course from outside of SILS of use/interest to the student that is relevant to the minor. Information systems minors may not use any course required for their major as an elective for the minor. All electives, including SILS courses, must be approved by SILS.
Honors in Information Science
An honors program is available to information science majors who have demonstrated the ability to perform distinguished work. The honors thesis allows exceptional students in the undergraduate major to demonstrate the ability to treat a problem in a substantial and scholarly way. Students write an honors thesis on a topic related to information science and defend it before a faculty committee. They may graduate with honors or highest honors.
The honors program consists of two courses: INLS 691 Honors Research in Information Science and INLS 692H Honors Thesis in Information Science. INLS 691H will be taken in the fall of the senior year. In this course, each student selects a research topic of interest, learns about research methods, and writes a research proposal. Assuming satisfactory completion of INLS 691H, students register for INLS 692H in the spring of their senior year. The student and advisor should meet regularly to discuss the student’s research and writing. The second reader for the thesis should be chosen by the end of January. The thesis must be completed and circulated to the thesis committee by the end of March, and the oral defense of the thesis must take place in the middle of April (exact dates will be based on the registrar’s calendar for the year). The final approved copies of the thesis must be submitted to the SILS office; the due date will be communicated to those in the honors program, and it is always before the end of the semester.
Each student should select a thesis advisor based on mutual interest in the topic and the availability of the faculty member to advise the student during the thesis work. The thesis committee consists of 1) the student’s thesis advisor, chosen while taking INLS 691H; 2) a second reader, identified jointly by the student and advisor; and 3) the director of the honors program.
Students may apply for the honors program in the spring of their junior year. Admission to the honors program requires a GPA of 3.5 or better in the major and 3.3 or better overall and approval of the director of the honors program. Continuation in the honors program requires maintenance of a GPA of 3.5 or better and completion of INLS 691H with a grade of B or better.
Students who complete a high-quality thesis will graduate with honors; those whose thesis is exceptional will graduate with highest honors.
Special Opportunities in SILS
Student Involvement
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in ISSUE (Information Science Student Undergraduates Empowered). All of the school’s standing committees have student representation, and all students are members of the Information and Library Science Student Association (ILSSA). In addition, students may participate in professional associations in information and library science, including the student chapters of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST), the American Library Association (ALA), Special Libraries Association (SLA), the Art and Museum Library and Information Student Society (AMLISS), and the Society of American Archivists (SAA).
Internships
Undergraduates can take INLS 397, a form of supervised observation and practice in information science. The internship typically takes place in an information agency or an information technology company. Faculty-led seminars and a paper enhance the experience.
Study Abroad
SILS has exchange agreements with the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain (instruction in Spanish) and with the Royal School of Library and Information Science in Copenhagen, Denmark (instruction in English). Information science students have used the University’s generalized study abroad agreements to take advantage of opportunities in other parts of the world, and we will work with students to fit an international experience into their major.
Undergraduate Awards
Undergraduates completing an honors thesis are eligible to apply for a Carnegie Grant. This award of up to $200 may be used to offset any costs that might occur during their research.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduates enrolled in the honors program conduct research as part of the completion of their honors thesis. Students not in the honors program may also take advantage of opportunities to participate in research with faculty members.
Career Opportunities
The School of Information and Library Science works closely with University Career Services to assist its graduates in securing professional employment. Students desiring placement services consult with a career services counselor and establish a credentials file when they begin seeking a job. The school assists in placement by providing information concerning the various areas of opportunity and their relation to the SILS program. SILS solicits and maintains information on employment opportunities for its students and graduates.
Contact Information
Questions and requests should be directed to Undergraduate Student Services Manager, School of Information and Library Science, 100 Manning Hall, CB# 3360, (919) 962-8366, ismajor@ils.unc.edu.
INLS
200 [040] Retrieving and Analyzing Information (3). Introduction to and application of the processes that can be used in seeking information, evaluating the quality of the information retrieved, and synthesizing the information into a useful form.
261 [050] Tools for Information Literacy (3). Tools and concepts for information literacy. Includes microcomputer software use and maintenance, microcomputer applications, and networked information systems.
285 [055] Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness (3). Prerequisite, INLS 200. Basic concepts in the way that information, people, and technology interact to influence organizational effectiveness. Principles of problem solving, teamwork, leadership, and organizational change/innovation.
318 [062] Human Computer Interaction (3). Prerequisite, INLS 382. Design, implementation, and evaluation of interfaces for computer systems. User-based techniques, usability issues, and human factors.
382 [060] Information Systems Analysis and Design (3). Pre- or corequisite, INLS 261. Analysis of organizational problems and how information systems can be designed to solve those problems. Application of database and interface design principles to the implementation of information systems.
396 [090] Independent Study in Information Systems (1–3). Study by an individual student on a special topic under the direction of a specific faculty member. A prospectus/plan for the work is required in advance of registration.
397 [091] Information Science Internship (3). Prerequisites, INLS 200, 261, and 382; permission of the advisor. Supervised observation and practice in information science. The internship typically takes place in an information agency or an information technology company. Faculty-led seminars and a paper enhance the experience. Pass/fail only.
461 [102] Information Tools (3). This course may not be taken if the student has already taken INLS 261. Tools and concepts for information use. Information literacy, microcomputer software use and maintenance, microcomputer applications, and networked information systems.
485 [510] Natural Language Processing (3). Prerequisite, COMP 101, 121, or 161. Statistical, syntactic, and semantic models of natural language. Tools and techniques needed to implement language analysis and generation processes on the computer.
490 [110] Selected Topics (1–3). Exploration of an introductory-level special topic not otherwise covered in the curriculum. Previous offerings of these courses does not predict their future availability; new courses may replace these.
500 [180] Human Information Interactions (3). The behavioral and cognitive activities of those who interact with information, with emphasis on the role of information mediators. How information needs are recognized and resolved; use and dissemination of information.
501 [111] Information Resources and Services (3). Pre- or corequisite, INLS 461. Analysis, use, and evaluation of information and reference systems, services, and tools with attention to printed and electronic modes of delivery. Provides a foundation in search techniques for electronic information retrieval, question negotiation, and interviewing.
501L [111L] Computer Laboratory to Support INLS 501 (0.5). Corequisite, INLS 501. Focus on electronic retrieval techniques.
509 [172] Information Retrieval (COMP 487) (3). Study of information retrieval and question answering techniques, including document classification, retrieval and evaluation techniques, handling of large data collections, and the use of feedback.
512 [170] Applications of Natural Language Processing (COMP 486) (3). Prerequisite, COMP 110, 116, or 121, or graduate standing in information and library science. Study of applications of natural language processing techniques and the representations and processes needed to support them. Topics include interfaces, text retrieval, machine translation, speech processing, and text generation.
513 [153] Resource Selection and Evaluation (3). Identification, provision, and evaluation of resources to meet primary needs of clientele in different institutional environments.
520 [150] Organization of Information (3). Introduction to the problems and methods of organizing information, including information structures, knowledge schemata, data structures, terminological control, index language functions, and implications for searching.
521 [151] Organization of Materials I (3). Prerequisite, ability to use email, word processing, spreadsheet, and Internet browsing software effectively. Introduction to the organization of library materials. Covers formal systems for description, access, and subject cataloging including AACR2, MARC, Dewey Decimal classification, Library of Congress Classification, and subject headings.
523 [156] Introduction to Database Concepts and Applications (3). Pre- or corequisite, INLS 261 or 461. Design and implementation of basic database systems. Semantic modeling, relational database theory, including normalization, indexing, and query construction, SQL.
525 Electronic Records Management (3). Introduces the principles of records center design, records analysis and appraisal, filing systems, reprographics and forms, reports and correspondence management. Legal issues and the security of records are also covered.
530 [122] Young Adult Literature and Related Materials (3). A survey of print and nonprint library materials particularly suited to the needs of adolescents.
532 [123] Children’s Literature and Related Materials (3). Survey of literature and related materials for children with emphasis on 20th-century authors and illustrators.
534 Issues for Children and Technology (3). This course will encourage students to explore the array of technologies available to children and adolescents, the issues surrounding their use, the role of care givers, and potential impacts on development.
550 [108] History of the Book and Other Information Formats (3). The history of the origin and development of the book in all its formats: clay tablets to electronic. Coverage includes scientific and other scholarly publications, religious works, popular literature, periodicals, and newspapers.
551 [109] History of Libraries and Other Information-Related Cultural Institutions (3). The history of cultural institutions related to information from earliest times to the present day. Includes specific institutions, trends in service and facilities, and individuals important in the development of these institutions.
554 [144] Cultural Institutions (3). This course will explore cultural institutions—libraries, museums, parks, zoological and botanical gardens, reconstructions, and other settings—as lifelong educational environments.
556 [145] Introduction to Archives and Records Management (3). Survey of the principles, techniques, and issues in the acquisition, management, and administration of records, manuscripts, archives, and other cultural and documentary resources in paper, electronic, and other media formats.
558 [121] Principles and Techniques of Storytelling (3). An overview of storytelling, its historical development, and the presentation and administration of storytelling programs. The class focuses on performance skills merged with theoretical issues.
560 [161] Non-Numeric Programming for Information Systems Applications (3). An introduction to computer programming for library operations and information retrieval applications.
566 [187] Information Security (3). Prerequisite, INLS 461. Aspects of data integrity, privacy, and security from several perspectives: legal issues, technical tools and methods, social and ethical concerns and standards.
572 [181] Internet Applications (3). Prerequisite, INLS 261 or 461. Introduction to Internet concepts, applications, and services. Introduces the TCP/IP protocol suite along with clients and servers for Internet communication, browsing, and navigation. Examines policy, management, and implementation issues.
574 [182] Introduction to Local Area Networks (3). Prerequisite, INLS 261 or 461. Introduction to local area network hardware, topologies, operating systems, and applications. Also discusses LAN management and the role of the network administrator.
576 [183] Distributed Systems and Administration (3). Prerequisite, INLS 461. Distributed and client/server-based computing. Includes operating system basics, security concerns, and issues and trends in network administration.
578 [184] Protocols and Network Management (3). Prerequisite, INLS 461. Network protocols and protocol stacks. Included are discussions of protocol classes, packet filtering, address filtering, network management, and hardware such as protocol analyzers, repeaters, routers, and bridges.
582 [162] Systems Analysis (3). Introduction to the systems approach to the design and development of information systems. Methods and tools for the analysis and modeling of system functionality (e.g., structured analysis) and data represented in the system (e.g., object-oriented analysis) are studied. (Undergraduates are encouraged to take INLS 382 instead of this course.)
584 [105] Information Ethics (3). An overview of ethical reasoning, followed by discussion of issues most salient to information professionals, e.g., intellectual property, privacy, access/censorship, effects of computerization, and ethical codes of conduct.
585 [131] Management for Information Professionals (3). An introduction to general management principles and practices intended for information professionals working in all types of organizations. Topics include planning, budgeting, organizational theory, staffing, leadership, organizational change, and decision making.
623 Database Systems I (3). Prerequisites, INLS 382 or 582, and 523 or proof of equivalency. Intermediate-level design and implementation of database systems, building on topics studied in INLS 523. Additional topics include MySQL, indexing, XML and nontext databases.
672 [191] Advanced Internet Applications (3). Prerequisites, INLS 572 and permission of the instructor. Study of design and implementation of state-of-the-art Internet applications. Example topics include multimedia authoring tools, dynamic content generation techniques, and server-side configuration and programming.
691 [098] Research Methods in Information Science (3). Prerequisites, senior standing, information science major. An introduction to research methods used in information science. Includes the writing of a research proposal.
692H [099] Honors Thesis in Information Science (3). Prerequisites, senior standing, information science major, and permission of the faculty advisor. Students in the SILS undergraduate honors program engage in independent research and write an honors thesis reporting the research under the supervision of a faculty member.
697 [092] Emerging Topics in Information Science (3). Prerequisites, senior standing; information science major or minor. Contemporary topics of information science, information systems, information technology, information design, and information management. Assessment of future impact of new developments.