Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Information Program

The Master of Information (MI) program at Dalhousie University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in information management. The program covers a wide range of topics, including information organization, research methods, and information services.

Core Courses

The MI program requires students to complete a number of core courses, including:

• INFO 0590.00 Practicum: An experiential learning element that enables students to test and evaluate class theory in an information setting.
• INFO 5500.03 Information in Society: An introduction to the economic, political, and social dimensions of an information-rich environment.
• INFO 5515.03 Organization of Information: A course that introduces the theory and applications of information organization.
• INFO 5520.03 Research Methods: A course that introduces fundamental concepts of research and the nature and uses of research.
• INFO 5530.03 Information Sources, Services and Retrieval: A course that offers a theoretical and practical introduction to information services.
• INFO 5570.03 Organizational Management and Strategy: A capstone course that introduces management theories and practices for organizational functions in information settings.

Advanced Technology Elective Courses

The MI program also offers a number of advanced technology elective courses, including:

• INFO 5590.03 Information Management Systems: A course that investigates current issues in information technology and information systems.
• INFO 6270.03 Introduction to Data Science: A course that provides students with fundamental skills and techniques for converting data into knowledge.
• INFO 6290.03 Managing Research Data: A course that covers research data management policy, plans, and practice.
• INFO 6513.03 Business Analytics and Data Visualization: A course that provides an introduction to business analytics and data visualization.
• INFO 6540.03 Data Management: A course that introduces the theory and practice of managing data.
• INFO 6550.03 Bibliometrics & Scholarly Communication: A course that examines the measurement of research production, dissemination, and use.
• INFO 6620.03 Web Design & Architecture: A course that examines the theories, techniques, and processes used to create, structure, and deliver electronic text.
• INFO 6681.03 Geospatial Information Management: A course that addresses the effective management of spatial information.

EDIAD* Elective Courses

The MI program also offers a number of EDIAD* (equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, decolonization) elective courses, including:

• INFO 6070.03 Reading and Reading Practices: A seminar course that examines theories of reading from social, psychological, and literary perspectives.
• INFO 6410.03 Knowledge Justice: A course that introduces students to concepts and considerations of epistemic injustice and knowledge justice.
• INFO 6500.03 Community-Led Services: A course that teaches students how to identify the interests and needs of particular client groups.
• INFO 6820.03 Antiracism & Diversity in the Information Professions: A course that examines discourses, practices, and understandings of antiracism and diversity in the information professions.
• INFO 6870.03 Global Histories of Disputed Archives & the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage: A course that explores the global histories of disputed archives and cultural heritage.
• INFO 6875.03 History of Archiving & Archival Records in Critical Perspective: A reading-intensive course that deals with the history of archiving and archival thought.

Other Elective Courses

The MI program also offers a number of other elective courses, including:

• INFO 6090.03 Culture of Privacy: A course that explores the ever-evolving area of privacy.
• INFO 6100.03 Information in Public Policy and Decision Making: A course that addresses the question of how information is used in policy making.
• INFO 6150.03 History of the Book: A course that explores the history of the book from its early beginnings to its present manifestations.
• INFO 6250.03 Services and Resources for Young Adults: A course that introduces the social, intellectual, and psychological nature of adolescence.
• INFO 6300.03 Government Information Resources: A course that examines the ways in which various levels of government structure, produce, and disseminate information.
• INFO 6320.03 Legal Literature and Librarianship: A course that introduces students to the major sources of Canadian legal information.
• INFO 6330.03 Cataloguing and Classification: A course that examines the theories, principles, and practices of bibliographic description.
• INFO 6370.03 Records Management: A course that provides a comprehensive introduction to the management of current records.
• INFO 6400.03 Knowledge Management: A course that surveys the latest knowledge management theories and practices.
• INFO 6450.03 Services and Resources for Children: A course that examines the reading and viewing interests of children.
• INFO 6560.03 Information Resources Management: A course that examines information resource management theories and methods.
• INFO 6610.03 Information Policy: A course that explores a range of issues currently facing information professionals.
• INFO 6630.03 User Experience: A course that explores how technology affects human use.
• INFO 6682.03 Human Information Interaction: A course that examines information seeking behavior in various settings.
• INFO 6700.03 Reading Course: A course that allows students to develop a specific interest in the information management field.
• INFO 6710.03 Reading Course: A course that allows students to study an aspect of a topic in greater detail than is possible within an existing course.
• INFO 6750.03 Health Sciences Literature and Information Sources: A course that introduces students to the concepts and practice of health science librarianship.
• INFO 6760.03 Museums & Community: A course that acts as an introduction to the museum profession and the role of museums in society.
• INFO 6800.03 Archives: A course that provides an overview of the issues and practices of archival science.
• INFO 6810.03 Managing Information Literacy Instruction: A course that introduces selected theories and methods for managing processes designed to educate students, patrons, and clients in information research skills.
• INFO 6850.03 Special Topics in Information Management: A course that builds on topics introduced in required courses.
• INFO 6860.03 Archives II: A course that considers advanced topics in archives, with an emphasis on Canadian practice.
• INFO 7000.03 Research Paradigms in Information: A course that explores the major research paradigms, models, theories, and methods used in information science.
• INFO 9000.06 Thesis: A course that allows students to conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty member.
• INFO 9003.00 Thesis Continuing: A course that allows students to continue working on their thesis.