The BSIS at UNC Connecting People, Information, and Technology
Why a Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS)? The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently takes a leadership role in today s ever-changing information and library science landscape. We are the only university in the state offering a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and one of only a handful of schools doing so nationwide. Our award-winning faculty, small class sizes, cutting-edge technology, and close-knit community make for the optimal undergraduate experience. Why else should you choose the BSIS? Information Science is one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S. Our students have the highest rate of employment (85.7%) upon graduating from UNC Chapel Hill Two $1,000 scholarships are offered to newly admitted BSIS students every semester SILS is ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report What is Information Science? Derived from a number of disciplines including mathematics, computer science, psychology, linguistics, communications, sociology, and management, information science is the study of cognitive, social, technological, and organizational roles of information in all its forms. Information science focuses on the properties and behaviors of information, systems and people, and the technology for managing information for optimum accessibility and usability. It combines working with people, designing technology, and developing information content. When you think of information science, think Twitter, Facebook, Web design, database design, online communities, Internet searches, and much more. All connect people with content and technology.
The Curriculum MAJOR IN INFORMATION SCIENCE. Undergraduate students who have completed the first semester of their sophomore year may apply for the Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS) program. The curriculum consists of ten courses six required courses and four electives chosen by the student and their advisor, for a total of 30 credit hours. Students are encouraged to pursue a second major or a minor in another field, in which they can apply the knowledge and skills gained in their BSIS program of study. For additional course information, including required prerequisites, please visit: http://sils.unc.edu/programs/undergraduate/bsis/curriculum. DUAL BACHELOR S MASTER S PROGRAM. Through early planning of an undergraduate program that integrates well with a Master s of Information Science or a Master's of Library Science, the dual Bachelor's - Master's program is intended to enable Information Science majors to obtain both their BS and MS degrees at an accelerated rate. While the BSIS provides sound preparation for entry into the information professions, the Master's degree provides a distinct advantage to those who aim to advance to managerial or leadership positions. C o u r s e t o p i c s i n c l u d e : social media strategy information architecture knowledge management relational and non-sql databases health informatics MINOR IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. The minor consists of five courses four required courses and one elective for a total of 15 credit hours. The minor is designed for undergraduate students who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the use and design of information systems. It provides students with an understanding of computing, networking, multimedia, electronic information resources, and the Internet that can be used to solve problems in a variety of contexts. The minor complements the student's major field of study by offering knowledge, skills, and experience using these technologies. I chose the IS major because I found it interesting and I felt the need to bulk up my academic background with a more solid foundation in technology and information systems. Shane Cheng, BSIS 2003
The level of close interaction I was able to enjoy not only with my peers, but also with the outstanding professors, allowed me to feel like part of a family and not a major. Having access to and familiarity with the Dean and other staff is a college student s dream, especially at a large public institution like UNC. The relationships I built will continue well into the future. The breadth and relevance of the coursework ensures that I will now be able to work and excel in almost any field. The SILS program makes every student s success a priority, and it truly made my Carolina experience. Mia Barnes, BSIS 2009 Management and Program Analyst, FBI My favorite part about research has been the collaboration with professors and graduate students. It was really eye-opening to get feedback from more experienced, exceptional researchers about my current projects. The professors have been very encouraging and helpful during all of my research experiences. I never thought that I would get involved with research since it seemed outdated and irrelevant to industry. But I was wrong; research has probably been the most important experience I had at SILS. It has allowed to me apply my classwork and work to solutions for real world problems. Beth Sams, BSIS 2011 Application Developer, Credit Suisse W h a t o u r s t u d e n t s a r e s a y i n g... I chose the BSIS program because it combines my interests in people and technology. The broad range of electives allows an inter-disciplinary approach to issues introduced in the core BSIS courses. The BSIS is a great choice whether you plan to enter the workforce immediately or pursue a graduate degree. The core courses provide a strong introduction to the tools and skills required for entry-level positions in IT, and the generous selection of electives allows you to gain practical expertise in a more focused area or incorporate research opportunities. Marla Sullivan Current BSIS Student "I think the BSIS program is excellent because it provides a comprehensive look at many different subject areas, while allowing for in-depth study into the topic of your personal choice. This way, you get to learn about and experience different methods for handling information and the technology behind these methods. I also think that the BSIS program provides an unparalleled faculty-student mentoring experience. Because of the small class sizes, I feel as though I get to know each teacher personally as well as increase my learning exponentially because of their leadership in the field." Ashlee Edwards, BSIS 2011 SILS PhD Student
Beyond the Classroom SILS offers a number of opportunities outside the classroom, including field experiences, internships, independent studies, and honors research projects. Additional experiences enrich the education students receive and provide real-world experience that is both helpful and highly beneficial when it comes time to enter the workforce or continue studies in graduate school. Field Experience The SILS Field Experience Program enables students to meet personal learning objectives and to gain professional experience in an information organization while receiving course credit. Students are mentored by both a supervising professional in the organization and a SILS instructor. Learn more: http://sils.unc.edu/programs/field-experience Internship An internship involves supervised observation and practice in information science. It typically takes place in an information agency or an information technology company. Faculty-led seminars and a paper enhance the experience. Independent Study The independent study allows students to study, in-depth, a topic not covered in the core curriculum. Students work under the supervision of a faculty member. Honors Thesis The honors program is available to majors who have demonstrated their ability to perform distinguished work. The Honors Thesis allows exceptional students in the undergraduate major to demonstrate the ability to treat a problem in a substantial and scholarly way. Students write an honors thesis on a topic related to information science and defend it before a faculty committee. Learn more: http://sils.unc.edu/programs/undergraduate/bsis/honors Research Opportunities Undergraduate students have the opportunity to work with faculty on funded research projects. The one-on-one aspect of the independent study allowed for the development of a strong professional relationship with my advisor. I believe this course helped to prepare for future research opportunities. Justin Brinegar, BSIS 2011, Apple
Career Opportunities Even in a struggling economy where jobs are scarce, our BSIS graduates have recently landed high-paying jobs right out of school. Our graduates have the highest rate of employment upon graduating from UNC Chapel Hill 85.7%. The BSIS is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of careers in the information industry, including social media management; information architecture; database design and implementation; Web design and implementation; networking support and information consulting; as well as for graduate study. The following companies have employed our graduates: Apple Credit Suisse SAS United States Census Bureau FBI Progress Energy Department of Homeland Security Blue Cross Blue Shield Lulu Enterprises CISCO Vanguard Aetna Fidelity IBM Wells Fargo The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bank of America Goldman Sachs GlaxoSmithKline Booz Allen Hamilton BB&T Many More! The career opportunities that exist for graduates with degrees in information science are growing at a rapid pace. The information industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, three of the top ten fastest-growing occupations are in the information industry. As more information is produced, it becomes imperative that it be collected, organized, and managed properly so that it will be accessible to those who need it. Our graduates become: Project Managers, Social Media Managers, Web Masters, Knowledge Management Analysts, Information Technology Analysts, Software Quality Engineers, Information Specialists, User Experience Designers, Business Analysts, and more. Information professionals play an increasingly important role in all types of information-age organizations, enabling users to access the information they need. Learn more: http://sils.unc.edu/careers/lis-job-links/information-science-jobs
Alumni Profiles Mia Barnes, BSIS 2009, Management and Program Analyst, FBI Mia Barnes is currently employed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Operational Technology Division in the Forensic Support Unit as a management program analyst. She handles the budget for digital examiners and helps with the processing of evidence. "In my current job capacity I used many of the skills I learned while at SILS. I have helped develop databases and I build internal collaboration Web sites within my unit. Additionally, concepts learned in my 'Organizational Culture' class have really helped me navigate the unique culture at the FBI. The breadth and relevance of the coursework at SILS ensured that I would be able to work and excel in almost any field." Evan Carroll, BSIS 2008, Lead User Experience Designer, Capstrat In the summer after his junior year, Evan accepted an internship at IBM, a position which allowed him to learn more about Information Architecture and User Experience Design. During his senior year he interned at Capstrat in User Experience Design, which led him to take a full-time position with the company. Now he is a Lead UX Designer and works with clients to create user-friendly Web experiences. He had the pleasure of leading Capstrat s redesign of UNC.edu. SILS positioned me for success in all of these endeavors. I especially enjoyed the small class sizes at SILS, with direct access to my professors. SILS truly has an expert faculty, and they re personable and approachable, to boot. I wouldn t trade my time at SILS for anything. Jimmy Ngyuen, BSIS 2010, Software Engineer, Credit Suisse After graduation in 2010, Jimmy Nguyen started working for Credit Suisse as a software engineer in the company's Technical Analyst program. The Technical Analyst program allowed him to take online and instructor-led courses to learn more about Investment Banking. Through this program, he saw the value that Credit Suisse puts on information technology and how it partners with the business. "Pairing information technology, business and people in this global company was a skill I learned in SILS which I knew I could apply. I gained valuable experience in systems analysis and design that I continue to apply every day. Being able to communicate with other developers, project managers and business users is another important lesson I learned through SILS. Thanks to SILS, understanding information processes and having strong communication skills helped me stand out in this competitive job market. View more alumni profiles: http://sils.unc.edu/people/alumni-profiles
APPLY TODAY. http://sils.unc.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions The School of Information and Library Science The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Manning Hall, CB#3360 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3360 Phone 919-962-8366 Fax 919-962-8071 Email sils-ug@ils.unc.edu Web site sils.unc.edu