Undergraduate Programs in the School of Information and Library Science
Information Science is the study of cognitive, social, technological and organizational roles of information in all its forms.
It rests on three foundational pillars:
 Content: the substance of the information being created, communicated, and stored and/or transformed
 People who interact with the content: they may be creators of information
 Technology used to support the creation, communication, storage or transformation of the content
Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS):
The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS), one of
the only programs of its kind in North Carolina and one of a few in the nation. The BSIS program prepares its graduates
for a variety of careers in the information industry as well as for graduate study.
Information Science Major Curriculum
First year students and sophomores in the UNC-Chapel Hill General College that plan to apply for the BSIS should
complete the following requirements prior to admission into the major:
Foundations & Quantitative Reasoning Requirements
MATH 152
Calculus for Business and Social Sciences, OR
MATH 231
Calculus of Functions of One Variable, OR
STOR 151
Basic Concepts of Statistics and Data Analysis I, OR
STOR 155
Introduction to Statistics
Approaches & Connections Requirements:
Physical & Life Sciences:
PSYC 101
General Psychology
Social & Behavioral Sciences:
INLS 101
Foundations of Information Science
Quantitative Reasoning (choose one):
COMP 110
Introduction to Programming, OR
COMP 116
Introduction to Scientific Programming, OR
COMP 121
Introduction to Functional Programming
The BSIS curriculum is made of up six required classes and four electives. Students may choose electives based on their
interest or career objectives. A total of 30 hours is required to complete the degree. BSIS students are not allowed to
complete more than 45 credits of their program (i.e., 45 of the 120 credit needed for graduation from UNC). They may
take a few additional electives at SILS but are encouraged to acquire a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences.
INLS 200
INLS 261
INLS 285
INLS 382
INLS 523
INLS 697
Electives
Retrieving and Analyzing Information
Tools for Information Literacy
Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness
Information Systems Analysis and Design
Database Concepts and Applications
Emerging Topics in Information Science
(four) – see list of approved electives below
Information Systems Minor:
The Information Systems minor is designed for undergraduate students who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the
use and design of information systems. The Information Systems minor is designed to compliment any major.
Undergraduate students who are seniors, juniors, or who have completed the first semester of their sophomore year may
apply for the minor during the formal application period at the start of the fall and spring semesters.
Students that plan to apply for the Information Systems minor should complete the following requirements prior to
admission into the minor:
Approaches & Connections Requirements:
Physical & Life Sciences:
PSYC 101
General Psychology
Social & Behavioral Sciences:
INLS 101
Foundations of Information Science
Quantitative Reasoning (choose one):
COMP 110
Introduction to Programming, OR
COMP 116
COMP 121
Introduction to Scientific Programming, OR
Introduction to Functional Programming
The IS Minor curriculum is made up of four required classes and one elective which is selected by the student. A total of
15 hours is required to complete the minor.
INLS 200
INLS 261
INLS 382
INLS 523
Elective
Retrieving and Analyzing Information
Tools for Information Literacy
Information Systems Analysis and Design
Database Concepts and Design
(one) – see list of approved electives below
Electives
In addition to the core requirements of the major and minor programs at SILS, students are also required to complete
additional coursework as electives. Students should work with their faculty advisors to create a theme with their elective
choices; however, please note that concentrations are not a requirement.
Courses from other departments that have been approved as electives in the past include the following:
BIOS 511 (111), Intro to Statistical Computing and
Research Data Management
BUSI 520 (192), Business Innovation through
Information Technology
CHEM 442 (142), Analytical Research Techniques
COMM 140, Intro to Media: Hstory/Theory/Criticism
COMM 431 (130), Advanced Audio Production
COMM 450 (150), Media and Popular Culture
COMM 544 (144), Electronic Media Communication
and Info Mach.
COMM 636 (136), Interactive Media
COMP 380 (180), Computers and Society
COMP 401 (114), Foundation of Programming
COMP 410 (121), Data Structures
COMP 411 (120), Computer Organization
COMP 416 (117), Intro to WWW Programming
COMP 426 (118), Advanced WWW Programming
COMP 431 (123), Internet Services and Protocols
COMP 521 (130), Files and Databases
GEOG 477 (177), Into to Remote Sensing and Digital
Image Processing
GEOG 491 (101), Introduction to Geographic
Information Systems
GEOG 591 (192), Applied Issues in Geographic
Information Systems
HPAA 341 (85), Computers in Health Administration
(in place of INLS 261)
HPAA 350 (70), Intro to Health Services Systems
HPAA 380 (57), Database Design for Health Care
Applications (in place of INLS 523)
HPAA 440 (155), Intro to Management Information
Systems in Healthcare
JOMC 445 (145), Process and Effects of Mass
Communication
JOMC 182 (85/185), The World of Graphic Design
JOMC 187 (88/188), Intro to Multimedia
JOMC 482 (185/485), Publication Design
JOMC 483 (186/486), Promotion Design
JOMC 484 (187/487), Information Graphics
JOMC 581 (188/488), Multimedia Design
JOMC 582 (188/488), Interactive Multimedia
Narratives
JOMC 583 (189/489), Multimedia Programming and
Production
MUSC 239 (39), Intro to Music Technology
PHYS 633 (193), Scientific Programming
PLCY 450 (78), Computer Applications in Policy and
Planning
PSYC 210 (30), Statistical Principles of Psychological
Research
PSYC 230 (20), Cognitive Psychology