Information Science Ph.D. With a Concentration in Geospatial Information Science

Program Overview

Information Science Ph.D. With a Concentration in Geospatial Information Science

Overview

The UNT Information Science Ph.D. program with a concentration in Geospatial Information Science responds to the varied and changing needs of an information age, increasing recognition of the central role of information and information technologies in individual, social, economic and cultural affairs.

Program Type and Format

• Doctoral Degree
• Hybrid format

Estimated Time to Complete and Credit Hours

• 3-4 years
• 60 credit hours (with master's) or 72 credit hours (with bachelor's)

Program Description

The mission of the UNT's Information Science Ph.D. program is to provide a center of excellence in graduate education and research. Its primary goals are to:

• Nurture critical and reflective thinking on the fundamental issues and elements of problems of utilization of information
• Foster an environment of substantive and productive mentoring and apprenticeship
• Prepare scholars passionate about the role of information in human affairs
• Foster cross-disciplinary thinking and research

Marketable Skills

• Research and publication
• Pedagogical practices
• Critical thinking
• Leadership ability
• Data analysis

Program Highlights

• Special lectures hosted by the college and the department feature renowned scholars who provide different perspectives and insights into the information science field
• Students and faculty are active members of different professional associations and learned societies
• The structure of the IS Ph.D. program deliberately encourages and supports interactions among students and faculty in different academic units
• The Department of Information Science offers financial support and scholarships to its students
• The Career Center provides advice about internships, future employment opportunities, and getting hands-on experience in your major
• Instruction is offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, and blended

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are prepared to contribute to the advancement and evolution of the information society in a variety of roles and settings as administrators, researchers, and educators.

Sample Courses

• Statistical Research Methods in Geography (3 hrs)
• Advanced Geography Information Systems (3 hrs)
• Location Intelligence: Advanced Business GIS Concepts and Applications (3 hrs)
• Remote Sensing (3 hrs)
• GIS Programming (3 hrs)
• Seminar in Communication and Use of Information (3 hrs)

Program Outline

The program's mission is to establish a center of excellence in graduate education and research, focusing on:

• Fostering a supportive environment: Providing a space for productive mentoring and apprenticeship experiences.
• Preparing passionate scholars: Developing individuals who are dedicated to understanding the role of information in human affairs.
• Promoting cross-disciplinary thinking: Encouraging research and exploration across different academic fields.
The program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and encourages them to expand their expertise and skills in cutting-edge areas of information science that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

Teaching:

• Special lectures: The program hosts lectures featuring renowned scholars who offer diverse perspectives and insights into the information science field.
• Professional associations: Students and faculty actively participate in various professional associations and learned societies, such as the iSchools consortium, the American Library Association, the Association for Information Science and Technology, and the Knowledge & Information Professional Association.
• Collaborative research: The program structure encourages interactions between students and faculty from different academic units, fostering collaborative research in diverse areas.
• Financial support: The Department of Information Science provides financial support and scholarships to recognize exceptional academic and creative achievements.
• Career Center resources: The Career Center offers guidance on internships, future employment opportunities, and hands-on experience in the major.
• Flexible learning formats: Instruction is offered in various formats, including face-to-face, online, and blended, allowing students to balance classes with employment.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared to contribute to the advancement and evolution of the information society in various roles and settings as administrators, researchers, and educators.

Other:

• Marketable Skills: The program develops skills such as research and publication, pedagogical practices, critical thinking, leadership ability, and data analysis.
• Course Examples: The program offers courses such as Statistical Research Methods in Geography, Advanced Geography Information Systems, Location Intelligence: Advanced Business GIS Concepts and Applications, Remote Sensing, GIS Programming, and Seminar in Communication and Use of Information.