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BSIS Curriculum

BSIS Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS) prepares its graduates for a variety of careers in the information field, as well as for graduate study. The curriculum consists of three prerequisite courses, five core courses, and five pre-approved electives, for a total of 39 credit hours.

Curriculum

Prerequisites

Students must complete at least two prerequisites and be enrolled in the third prior to admission.

  • MATH 115, (spring only) – Reasoning with Data: Navigating a Quantitative World
  • INLS 161, Information Tools
  • INLS 201, Foundations of Information Science, (IDEAS in Action; FC-Knowing)

Core Requirements

  • INLS 560, Programming for Information Professionals
    • OR COMP 110, Introduction to Programming, OR COMP 116, Introduction to Scientific Programming
  • INLS 382, Information Systems Analysis and Design
  • INLS 385, Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness
  • INLS 523, Database Concepts and Applications
  • INLS 697, Emerging Topics in Information Science (taken in the senior year)

Electives

  • 15 Credit Hours of Electives that meet the student’s objectives/interests/career goals
    For a list of internal electives and approved courses outside of SILS, please refer to our Electives page.

External Transfer Students

Any prerequisite courses not completed prior to applying must be completed during your first semester at UNC.

View the Catalog

Additional Opportunities

These opportunities require additional applications and permission. Please see the SILS Student Services office for additional information.

Field Experience, INLS 393

  • Prerequisite: INLS 201, INLS 161 and INLS 382. Permission of school.
  • Supervised observation and practice in information science. The internship typically takes place in an information agency or an information technology company. Can be taken fall, spring, or summer terms. Pass/Fail.

Independent Study, INLS 396

  • 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.

Honors Thesis

Part 1, INLS 691H

  • Prerequisites: completion of 4 INLS courses, INLS GPA above 3.5, overall GPA above 3.3.
  • Student selects a research topic of interest, learns about research methods, and writes a research proposal.

Part 2, INLS 692H

  • Prerequisites: A- or higher in INLS 691H.
  • Student engages in independent research and writes a thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The semester’s work culminates in a defense of the thesis before a faculty committee.

Benjamin LevineQuestions?

Contact Assistant Director of Programs and Advising Benjamin Levine at bjlevine@unc.edu or 919-962-8366.