Information Science (M.S.I.S.)
For complete information regarding the academic rules and regulations of the University, students should consult the Academic Regulations section of this bulletin. The following additions and amendments pertain to the School of Information Sciences.
The M.S. in Information Science uniquely prepares students to be successful in data-intensive and user-centric environments. This degree prepares students to support data-driven problem-solving and decision-making in diverse fields. With this degree, students will develop skills necessary to assess, adopt, and utilize information technologies to design positive user experiences and obtain useful insights.
Today, information is a crucial resource – be it social, mobile, cloud or big data. Information professionals with the expertise to find, capture, master, and deliver information are in higher demand than ever before. The M.S. in Information Science provides the core analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to stay competitive and excel in today’s data-intensive, information-rich environments.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the School is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or better or possess another degree beyond the bachelor's degree. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.50 and 2.99 can satisfy this requirement by one of the Alternative Admissions methods.
- Meet the Technology Requirements and Technical Competencies.
- Submit a personal statement addressing your experience and familiarity with the required technical competencies needed for admission to the Master of Science in Information Science degree. The statement should be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (1-2 pages).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- MSIM students are expected to complete an online New Student Orientation prior to starting classes.
Application
- Complete and submit the online Graduate Admission Application form.
- Compose a personal statement and upload it to your application.
- Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae with your application.
- Pay $50 application fee.
- Request official transcripts from each university you have attended and have them sent directly to Graduate Admissions, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the M.S. in Information Science at the Wayne State University School of Information Sciences will be able to:
- Utilize and assess technologies for the creation, production, manipulation, modeling, mining, analysis, control, distribution, access, and use of information.
- Leverage databases and datasets to uncover and present insights that drive decision-making.
- Apply principles and methods towards assessing and designing information services and products for better user experiences.
- Analyze how information policies affect information creation, production, control, protection, distribution, access, use and evaluation in different socio-technical contexts.
- Develop independent learning skills and appreciate the need for lifelong learning of information technologies.
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Information Management is offered only as a Plan C master’s program. A maximum of six credits in courses outside of library and information science may be accepted as cognates. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
The 30-credit MSIM degree includes 4 required courses, an elective practicum, and 5 elective courses, organized into a variety of specializations. Students are free to combine elective courses to craft a customized Plan of Work that satisfies the student’s particular needs.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INF 6000 | Data, Information and Society | 3 |
| INF 6050 | Computer Programming | 3 |
| INF 6460 | Database Design and SQL | 3 |
| INF 6490 | Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| Elective Practicum | 3 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Software Tools | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Advanced Web Development | ||
| Web-Based Information Services | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Information Architecture | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| Data Analytics | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Statistics and Data Analysis | ||
| Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| Health and Scientific Data Management | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Health Sciences Information Services and Resources | ||
| Health Informatics | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| User Experience | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Information Architecture | ||
| Information Behavior | ||
| Human-Computer Interaction | ||