The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) offers the Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS), the only program of its kind in North Carolina and one of a few in the nation. The BSIS program prepares its graduates for a variety of careers in the information field, as well as for graduate study. The curriculum consists of 3 prerequisite courses, 5 core courses, and 5 preapproved electives, for a total of 39 credit hours.
Prerequisites
To be completed prior to admission
- MATH 115, (Spring only) - Reasoning with Data: Navigating a Quantitative World
- Cross listed as BIOL 115, PSYC 115, and STOR 115.
- INLS 161, Information Tools
- INLS 201, Foundations of Information Science, (IDEAS in Action; FC-Knowing)
Core Requirements
- INLS 560, Programming for Information Professionals
- 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 pre-requisite courses not completed prior to applying must be completed during your first semester at UNC.
Additional Opportunities
Topics not discussed in courses may be addressed through a variety of courses at SILS. These opportunities require additional applications and permission. Please see student services 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. Faculty-led seminars and a paper enhance the experience. Pass/Fail only.
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 I, INLS 691H
- An introduction to research methods used in information science. Includes the writing of a research proposal.
Part II, INLS 692H
- Prerequisite: INLS 691H and permission of instructor.
- Students in the SILS Undergraduate Honors Program engage in independent research and write an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.
