inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.
inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.
HomeUniversitiesProgramsStudents & Alumni
search
Students
Bachelors

Information Science, BA draft

University of Wisconsin
Madison , United States
Visit Program Website
Students
Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
Not Available
Medium of studying
Not Available
Duration
Not Available
Details
About Program
About University
Gallery
Contact School
Details
Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Information Science, BA

Information Science students study concepts and examine issues at the nexus of people, data, information, and computing. They gain the knowledge and skills to create data-driven technologies and to make them work for real communities. Information Science focuses on the ethical, cultural, and social factors in design and use of information technology-based and data-driven systems. Students become adept in the creation, management, retrieval, and curation of data and information. The major emphasizes designing systems that foster well-being and support the public good.


How to Get in

Students must have a 2.000 GPA on coursework counting in the major, and a 2.000 GPA on any upper-level work in the major completed prior to declaration. No specific coursework must be completed to declare. For students below a 2.000 GPA, please discuss options and a path to declaring the Information Science major.


University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.


  • BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science curriculum.


Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

  • Mathematics: Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
  • Language:
    • Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English; OR
    • Complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
  • L&S Breadth:
    • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include 6 credits of literature; and
    • 12 credits of Social Science; and
    • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include one 3+ credit Biological Science course and one 3+ credit Physical Science course.
  • Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
  • Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
  • Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
  • Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
  • UW-Madison Experience:
    • 30 credits in residence, overall; and
    • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
  • Quality of Work:
    • 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison
    • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison

Requirements for the Major

Students must complete a minimum of 30 total credits as detailed below.


Core Information Science Coursework

Complete 21 credits of Core Information Science Coursework from these options:


  • L I S courses in the Breadth Coursework lists (counts for both Core and Breadth)
  • Additional Core L I S Coursework
  • COMP SCI 570 (counts for both Core and Breadth)

Breadth Coursework

Complete one course and at least 3 credits from each category. Non-L I S courses completed in each category satisfy breadth and count towards the Approved Electives.


Ethics, Computing & Society
  • L I S 201: The Information Society (4 credits)
  • L I S 202: Informational Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society (3 credits)
  • L I S 220: Digital Footprints: Privacy and Technology (3 credits)
  • L I S/LEGAL ST 460: Surveillance, Privacy, and Police Powers (3 credits)
  • L I S 461: Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy (3-4 credits)
  • L I S 500: Code and Power (3 credits)
  • L I S/LEGAL ST 663: Introduction to Cyberlaw (3 credits)
Computational Techniques and Tools
  • L I S 351: Introduction to Digital Information (3 credits)
  • L I S/COMP SCI 472: Introduction to Web Development (3 credits)
  • L I S 501: Introduction to Text Mining (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI/ L I S 102: Introduction to Computing (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 200: Programming I (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 220: Data Science Programming I (4 credits)
  • COMP SCI 300: Programming II (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 368: Learning a Programming Language (1 credit)
  • STAT 433: Data Science with R (Complete one course & at least 3 credits) (3 credits)
Principles of Information and Data Science
  • L I S 440: Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science (3 credits)
  • L I S 464: Applied Database Design (3 credits)
  • STAT 240: Data Science Modeling I (4 credits)
Designing for Human Computer Interaction
  • L I S 470: Interaction Design Studio (3 credits)
  • L I S 646: Introduction to Info Architecture and Interaction Design for the Web (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 570: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (3 credits)
  • I SY E/PSYCH 349: Introduction to Human Factors (3 credits)
Communicating Digitally
  • L I S 350: History and Future of Books (3 credits)
  • L I S 407: Data Storytelling with Visualization (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 200: Introduction to Digital Communication (3 credits)

Additional Core L I S Coursework

  • L I S 301: Information Literacies in Online Spaces (3 credits)
  • L I S 340: Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects (3 credits)
  • L I S 341: Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects (1-3 credits)
  • L I S/AFRICAN/COM ARTS 444: Technology and Development in Africa and Beyond (3 credits)
  • L I S 510: Human Factors in Information Security (3 credits)
  • L I S/NURSING 517: Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients (3 credits)
  • L I S/LEGAL ST 645: Intellectual Freedom (3 credits)

Career/Community/Internship Coursework

Complete 1-6 credits in a hands-on learning course. No more than 6 credits may be counted towards this requirement. Some courses may have additional requisites to enroll.


  • INTER-LS 210: L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
  • INTER-LS 215: Communicating About Careers (3 credits)
  • INTER-LS/INTER-AG 250: Undergraduate Research Experience (1-3 credits)
  • INTER-LS 260: Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (1 credit)
  • COM ARTS 605: Digital Studies Capstone (1 credit)
  • COMP SCI/STAT 403: Internship Course in Comp Sci and Data Science (1 credit)
  • DS 601: Internship (1-8 credits)
  • GEN BUS 450: Professional Experience in Business (1 credit)
  • INTER-HE 202: SoHE Career & Leadership Development (1 credit)
  • INTL ST 523: International Internship (1-3 credits)
  • JOURN 697: Internship (1-3 credits)
  • L I S 399: Independent Reading and Research (1-3 credits)
  • LSC 399: Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education (1-8 credits)
  • POLI SCI 402: Wisconsin in Washington Internship Course (4 credits)
  • PUB AFFR 327: Administrative Internship (3 credits)

Approved Electives

Complete additional coursework to reach 30 credits in the major from the following list, all Breadth Coursework, or Additional Core L I S Coursework list.


  • ACT SCI 652: Fundamentals of Short-Term Actuarial Modeling (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 155: Introduction to Digital Media Production (4 credits)
  • COM ARTS 345: Online Communication and Personal Relationships (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 346: Critical Internet Studies (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 478: Rhetoric and Power on the Internet (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 509: Digital Media and Political Communication (3 credits)
  • COM ARTS 577: Dynamics of Online Relationships (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI/E C E 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 304: Peer Collaboration in Computer Sciences (WES-CS) (1 credit)
  • COMP SCI 310: Problem Solving Using Computers (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI/E C E 354: Machine Organization and Programming (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 400: Programming III (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 402: Introducing Computer Science to K-12 Students (2 credits)
  • COMP SCI 407: Foundations of Mobile Systems and Applications (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI/E C E 506: Software Engineering (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 542: Introduction to Software Security (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 564: Database Management Systems: Design and Implementation (4 credits)
  • CNSR SCI 257: Introduction to Retail (2 credits)
  • CNSR SCI 301: Consumer Analytics (3 credits)
  • DS 120: Design: Fundamentals I (3 credits)
  • DS 140: Visual Thinking - Form and Space (3 credits)
  • DS 221: Person and Environment Interactions (3 credits)
  • DS 321: Problem-definition: Design Programming (3 credits)
  • DS 341: Design Thinking for Transformation (3 credits)
  • DS 451: Color Theory and Technology (3 credits)
  • DS/COMP SCI 579: Virtual Reality (3 credits)
  • DS 679: Research Methods in Design (3 credits)
  • GEN BUS 306: Business Analytics I (3 credits)
  • GEN BUS 307: Business Analytics II (3 credits)
  • GEN BUS 656: Foundations of Statistical Learning for Business Analytics (3 credits)
  • HIST SCI 150: The Digital Age (3 credits)
  • I SY E 348: Introduction to Human Factors Engineering Laboratory (1 credit)
  • I SY E 350: Industrial Engineering Design I (3 credits)
  • I SY E 450: Industrial Engineering Design II (3 credits)
  • I SY E/COMP SCI/DS 518: Wearable Technology (3 credits)
  • INFO SYS 322: Introduction to Databases (3 credits)
  • INFO SYS 371: Technology of Computer-Based Business Systems (3 credits)
  • INFO SYS 424: Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
  • JOURN 175: Media Fluency for the Digital Age (3 credits)
  • JOURN 411: Multimedia Design (4 credits)
  • JOURN 463: Digital Media Strategies (4 credits)
  • JOURN/COM ARTS/LSC 617: Health Communication in the Information Age (3 credits)
  • JOURN 622: The Impact of Emerging Media (3 credits)
  • LSC 340: Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science (3 credits)
  • LSC 350: Visualizing Science and Technology (3 credits)
  • LSC 432: Social Media for the Sciences (3 credits)
  • LSC 440: Digital Media and Science Communication (3 credits)
  • LSC 460: Social Media Analytics (3 credits)
  • LSC 532: Web Design for the Sciences (3 credits)
  • LSC/COM ARTS/JOURN 617: Health Communication in the Information Age (3 credits)
  • MARKETNG 355: Marketing in a Digital Age (3 credits)
  • MARKETNG/OTM 427: Information Technology in Supply Chains (3 credits)
  • MARKETNG 445: Digital Marketing Analytics (3 credits)
  • OTM/MARKETNG 427: Information Technology in Supply Chains (3 credits)
  • OTM 453: Operations Analytics (3 credits)
  • PUB AFFR 281: Discovering What Works in Health Policy (3 credits)
  • PUB AFFR 380: Analytic Tools for Public Policy (3 credits)
  • PUB AFFR 523: Policy, Privacy, and Personal Identity in the Postgenomics Era (3 credits)
  • R M I 670: Cyber Risk & Regulations (2-3 credits)
  • STAT 433: Data Science with R (3 credits)

Residence & Quality of Work in the Major

  • Minimum 2.000 GPA in all L I S and major courses
  • Minimum 2.000 GPA computed on 15 credits of upper-level work in the major
  • Minimum 15 credits in L I S courses taken on the UW-Madison campus

University Degree Requirements

  • Total Degree: To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
  • Residency: Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison. "In residence" means on the UWMadison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. In residence credit also includes UWMadison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UWMadison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
  • Quality of Work: Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate understanding of ways in which the policies, ethics, and values associated with information systems can affect society
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the relationships between information, cognition, and human social activity
  3. Apply design principles and information science concepts to improve information systems and solve problems
  4. Apply introductory data analysis and data quality management approaches and communicate results
  5. Apply computational tools to accomplish goals and meet human needs
  6. Communicate well in oral, written, and visual forms

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.


Freshman

  • Fall:
    • Communications A (3 credits)
    • L I S/COMP SCI 102 (3 credits)
    • Foreign Language (if needed) (3 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (5 credits)
  • Spring:
    • L I S 201, 350, or 461 (Meets Communications B Requirement) (3 credits)
    • Literature Breadth (3 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (5 credits)
    • Electives (3 credits)

Sophomore

  • Fall:
    • L I S 440 (meets Quantitative Reasoning B) (3 credits)
    • Biological Science Breadth (3 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (3 credits)
    • Elective (6 credits)
  • Spring:
    • L I S 202 (Meets Ethnic Studies Requirement) (3 credits)
    • INTER-LS 210 (Meets Career/Community/Internship Requirement) (1 credit)
    • Literature Breadth (3 credits)
    • Biological Sciences Breadth (if needed) (3 credits)

Junior

  • Fall:
    • Communicating Digitally course (3 credits)
    • Human Computer Interaction course (3 credits)
    • Physical Sciences Breadth (3 credits)
    • Intermediate/Advanced COMPSCI, MATH or STAT (if BS) or Intermediate or Advanced elective (if BA) (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Ethics, Computing & Society course (3 credits)
    • Career/Community/Internship course (if needed) or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives (3 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth if needed (3 credits)
    • Sciences Breadth if needed (3 credits)

Senior

  • Fall:
    • Information and Data Science course (3 credits)
    • Complete Core Information Science coursework or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives (10 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (if needed) (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Computational Techniques and Tools course (3 credits)
    • Complete Information Science Coursework Requirement or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives (10 credits)
    • Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (if needed) (3 credits)

Advising and Careers

Students who are interested in information science academic advising for the major should visit the Information School website. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn academic skills into a fulfilling life, guiding them to secure jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.


See More