Program Overview

---

Information Sciences + Data Science, BS

The Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences prepares students for a wide range of careers within the knowledge economy. In today’s technology-centered job market, there is a high demand for information professionals. By earning a B.S. in Information Sciences (BS/IS) from the School of Information Sciences (iSchool), you will gain a competitive edge. Our interdisciplinary, STEM-designated degree will prepare students for careers in a variety of fields. As a BS/IS student, you’ll learn how to manage data and other types of information to help organizations achieve their goals. You will become an information technology expert who understands the human perspective, social context, and policy implications.

General Education

Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Data Science Core

• Mathematical Foundations: 7-8 hours
  • MATH 220: Calculus (4-5 hours)
  • or MATH 221: Calculus I
  • or MATH 234: Calculus for Business I
  • MATH 227: Linear Algebra for Data Science (3 hours)
  • or MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications
• Data Science Fundamentals: 12 hours
  • STAT/CS/IS 107: Data Science Discovery (4 hours)
  • STAT 207: Data Science Exploration (4 hours)
  • CS 307: Modeling and Learning in Data Science (4 hours)
• Computational Fundamentals: 4 hours
  • CS 277: Algorithms and Data Structures for Data Science (4 hours)
• Social Impact in Data Science: 6 hours
  • IS 467: Ethics and Policy for Data Science (3 hours)
  • IS 477: Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility (3 hours)

Information Sciences Core

• Total Hours: 61
• IS 101: Introduction to Information Sciences (3 hours)
• IS 202: Social Aspects Info Tech (3 hours)
• IS 204: Research Design for Information Sciences (3 hours)
• IS 205: Programming for Information Problems (3 hours)
• IS 206: Introduction to Database Concepts & Applications (3 hours)
• IS 308: Race, Gender, and Information Technology (3 hours)
  • or IS 309: Computers and Culture
  • or IS 310: Computing in the Humanities
  • or IS 311: History and Foundations of the Information Society
• School of Information Sciences Electives or approved courses in other departments: 43 hours
• Twelve hours of 300/400 level (advanced) courses in Information Sciences (IS) must be taken on this campus.

Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience

• Total Hours: 6
• One of the most important skills a student will gain in a IS+DS degree will be the ability to present data in meaningful ways. A research or discovery experience is as much a pillar of this degree program as both the data science core coursework (Part 1) and the coursework in Information Sciences.
• IS 189: Independent Study (0 to 3 hours)
• Examples of possible experiences may include:
  • A semester study-abroad with at one or more courses focused on discovery while attending the international institution.
  • A multi-semester capstone experience within the student’s area of specialization.
  • A semester co-op experience outside of the Champaign-Urbana area focused within the student’s area of specialization.
  • A multi-semester undergraduate research experience under the direction of iSchool faculty.
  • A summer REU program focused within your area of specialization.

Summary of Total Hours

• Total General Education Hours: 25
• Total Data Science Core Hours: 28
• Total Information Science Specialization Hours: 61
• Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience: 6
• Total Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences + Data Science program will be able to:

1. Understand relationships among people, information, and technology.
2. Understand the history, theory, philosophy and methodologies of the field of information sciences.
3. Apply various approaches to research in the information sciences, including social science methods, data and text mining, digital humanities, historical approaches, and others.
4. Apply critical analytical skills to information issues.
5. Understand fundamental mathematical and programming tools for solving problems of information modeling, expression, and transformation.
6. Understand the data life cycle and be able to analyze, interpret, explain, qualify, and contextualize data at scale.

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

• First Year
  • First Semester:
    • IS 100 (1 hour)
    • IS 101 (3 hours)
    • MATH 220 (or 221 or 234) (5 hours)
    • Comp. I or Language Other than English (3rd level) (4 hours)
    • General Education course (3 hours)
  • Second Semester:
    • IS 202 (3 hours)
    • IS 107 (4 hours)
    • IS 1XX-2XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • Language Other than English (3rd level) or Comp. I (4 hours)
    • Free elective course (1 hour)
• Second Year
  • First Semester:
    • IS 204 (3 hours)
    • IS 1XX-2XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • STAT 207 (4 hours)
    • Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience (1 hour)
    • General Education course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (2 hours)
  • Second Semester:
    • IS 206 (3 hours)
    • MATH 227 or 257 (3 hours)
    • IS 1XX-2XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • General Education course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (3 hours)
• Third Year
  • First Semester:
    • IS 308 (or 309 or 310 or 311) (3 hours)
    • IS 1XX-2XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • IS 3XX-4XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • General Education course (3 hours)
    • Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience (1 hour)
    • Free elective course (2 hours)
  • Second Semester:
    • IS 467 (3 hours)
    • CS 277 (4 hours)
    • IS 3XX-4XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience (1 hour)
    • General Education course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (2 hours)
• Fourth Year
  • First Semester:
    • CS 307 (4 hours)
    • IS 3XX-4XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (2 hours)
  • Second Semester:
    • IS 477 (3 hours)
    • IS 3XX-4XX Level Elective (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (3 hours)
    • Free elective course (3 hours)

Departmental Distinction

The top 10% of the graduating class will graduate with distinction.