Dear
Department of Library and Information Studies
Postgraduate Programmes in Library and Information Studies
I attach a brief description of this Department and details of postgraduate programmes
in this Department. These fall into three categories:
1. The Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree, and the Higher
Diploma in Library and Information Studies (HDipLIS). These lead to a
professional qualification, recognized by professional organizations in
librarianship and information work;
2. The Master of Arts. This is a one year taught Master’s degree programme,
assessed by examination and a minor thesis. This is an academic, not a
professional, degree programme. Entrants must have a good first degree in
Information Studies, or its equivalent (such as UCD’s HDipLIS – see above);
3. The Master of Letters (MLitt) degree and the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD).
These are research degrees, taking at least two and three years, respectively, to
complete. Entry is limited and applicants, who will have a very good first degree
in Information Studies or its equivalent, will also be expected to have discussed
their proposed research with the Department before making a formal application.
An application form, and two copies of an assessment form and two copies of a letter
of reference form are enclosed with this letter.
MLIS and HDipLIS
If you wish to be considered for a place on either the Master of Library and
Information Studies (MLIS) degree, or the Higher Diploma in Library and
Information Studies (HDipLIS) please complete and return the enclosed Application
Form to reach this office before 1st February of the year of entry. If you are
applying from outside the European Union your application should reach this office
before 1st November of the previous year. Entry to the programmes is very
competitive and the number of places is limited.
Please include with your application, on a separate piece of paper, a summary of
about 300 words on one A4 page of your career aspirations in relation to this study
opportunity at University College Dublin. You should also send one "Letter of
Reference" form to each of your two referees, for him or her to forward to the
Department when completed. Your C.V. may be included with your application, but
please note that completion of all sections of the form is compulsory. You may, if
you wish, also complete and return one copy of the assessment form, giving your own
estimate of your level of attainment under each heading. You are also encouraged to
link the assessment form to the summary of your career aspirations. You should in
any case study the assessment form: a form like this will be used by the Department to
assess your application. If you wish to receive a written acknowledgement of your
application, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
There is a combined selection procedure for the HDipLIS and MLIS programmes.
You should indicate your preference on the application form: this will not affect your
chance of success in any way.
Please note that while it is necessary to have experience of work in a library or
information environment before commencing the HDipLIS or MLIS, you may apply
for a place before obtaining this experience. If you don’t have experience, you should
indicate what plans you have to fulfil this requirement.
All programmes require full-time study. Please note that these programmes do not
attract any special funding. Students must pay full fees and maintain themselves.
The Department cannot arrange work experience or any financial aid.
MA, MLitt, PhD
If you are interested in purely academic postgraduate study, you should apply for the
MA, MLitt, or PhD. Please request the separate application form. The closing date
for receipt of MA applications is 1st May of the year of entry. Candidates for the PhD
are usually registered first as MLitt students and their registration is changed later if
appropriate.
Yours sincerely,
__________________________
Dr Ian Cornelius,
Admissions Coordinator.
(Ref.c:brochure/revisedpostglet.doc)
UNIVERISTY COLLEGE DUBLIN
The Department of Library and Information Studies (DepLIS)
The Department
Welcome to the Department of Library and Information Studies (DepLIS) in the
National University of Ireland, Dublin, generally known as UCD. The Department has
its origins in the Library School that was part of UCD Library from 1928 to 1975. A
separate academic Department was established in 1975 with a wider remit for
education and research in Library and Information Studies in the Republic of Ireland.
The range of academic programmes offered by the Department has evolved
dramatically in the quarter century since 1975, when the only academic programme
offered by the Department was a one year Diploma in Library and Information
Studies. These include the extension of programmes of study leading to professional
qualifications to primary degree (BSocSc) and Master's (MLIS) levels and the
introduction of purely academic programmes in Information Studies at BA, BSocSc,
MA, MLitt and PhD levels. UCD is now the only institution on the island of Ireland
providing professionally accredited qualifications in Librarianship or Information
Science. Departmental staff includes seven full-time equivalent permanent academic
staff, a Senior Fellow, a Systems Demonstrator and a Departmental Secretary.
The Faculty of Human Sciences
The Department of Library and Information Studies is in the Faculty of Human
Sciences since 2003. This is the newest Faculty in UCD and consists of eight
academic departments, Economics, Education, Library & Information Studies,
Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology and Social Policy & Social Work. It also
includes three major research centres, the Institute for the Study of Social Change, the
Institute for British Irish Studies and the Social Sciences Research Centre.
Information Studies
Information Studies is defined as the theoretical and experimental investigation of the
interaction between people and recorded knowledge. The discipline is concerned with
the generation, representation, communication, storage, organisation and use of
various types of information (text, numbers, still and moving images, audio) in a
range of formats (print, visual, audio, multimedia) by individuals, groups,
organisations and society as a whole. The focus is on current communication patterns
and their impact on society; the enhancement of access to the cultural record, both
historic and contemporary, relating to Ireland and elsewhere; and on future
technological and social developments in the above areas.
Programmes of Study
The Department offers undergraduate courses in Information Studies at first, second
and third year levels in both the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Social
Science (BSocSc) programmes.
It also offers the following postgraduate
programmes:
 Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies (HDipLIS),
 Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS),
 Master of Arts (MA) (Information Studies),
 Master of Literature (MLitt) (Information Studies),
 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
The HDipLIS and MLIS are both one year taught programmes (September - May
and September - September respectively) and are designed to prepare university
graduates for professional careers in library and information work. The MLIS requires
the submission of a minor thesis and provides an opportunity to undertake advanced
study and research in library and information studies. Students may select specific
pathways through the HDipLIS and MLIS in order to obtain professional
accreditation by the Library Association of Ireland. The MA (Information Studies)
is a one year (September - September) taught course awarded on coursework and a
minor thesis. It does not lead to professional accreditation. The MLitt (Information
Studies) is a two year degree by major thesis and is intended for those wishing to
extend their knowledge of information studies by research. It does not lead to
professional accreditation. The Department also admits a number of students to the
PhD programme. This area is currently under expansion and potential applicants are
encouraged to contact the Department for further details on potential research areas
and possible sources of funding.
Research
There is a strong commitment to conducting and fostering research in Library and
Information Studies in the Department. Academic staff are engaged in a broad
spectrum of pure and applied research activities including externally funded projects
and a significant body of research is also undertaken for major and minor theses by
postgraduate students on the MA, MLitt and PhD programmes listed in the previous
section. The PhD programme is growing rapidly from having one or two part-time
students to eight, of whom seven are full-time, in 2004-2005.
Programme Descriptions and Requirements
Descriptions and requirements for the MLIS and the HDipLIS follow.
application and self-assessment forms are accessible separately.
The
Degree of Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS)
(Programme Code: HSMXF0009)
Course Objectives
The MLIS Degree prepares students for professional careers in information or library
work, and provides an opportunity for advanced study and research.
Admission
Candidates must be graduates of a recognised university and must normally hold one
of the following:
i)
A primary Degree with at least Second Class Honours, Grade II in two
subjects;
ii)
A primary Degree with at least Second Class Honours, Grade I in one
subject;
iii)
A primary Degree and the University’s Higher Diploma in Library and
Information Studies with at least Second Class Honours or an equivalent
qualification.
Candidates who wish to study part-time for this Degree must hold a primary Degree
and the University’s Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies, or an
equivalent qualification, with at least Second Class Honours in the Diploma or in the
Degree as specified in (i) or (ii) above.
Applicants must be recommended by the appropriate Professor or Head of
Department and approved by the Faculty of Human Sciences.
Candidates must normally have experience of work in a library or information
environment before commencing study on the course. It is not necessary to have this
experience at the time of application.
Organisation of Studies
The normal duration of the course is one year for full-time students and two years for
part-time students.
Candidates who do not hold the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies
must accumulate twenty-two units, from courses chosen in consultation with the
Department, and submit a minor thesis, written under the direction and supervision of
the Department. At least ten units must be acquired from advanced courses.
Candidates who hold the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies must
accumulate at least eight units from appropriate courses, as prescribed by the
Department, and submit a minor thesis, written under the direction and supervision of
the Department.
Certain course units are compulsory. Not all courses will be available in each
semester or year.
Course Units for MLIS
Course Number Units
IS-P411
2
IS-P412
2
IS-P413
2
IS-P415
2
IS-P417
2
IS-P418
2
Advanced
IS-P422
IS-P423
IS-P431
IS-P433
IS-P441
IS-P442
2
2
2
2
2
2
IS-P444
IS-P446
IS-P447
IS-P449
IS-P456
IS-P461
IS-P463
IS-P464
IS-P465
IS-P466
IS-P467
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
IS-P468
IS-P471*
IS-P473*
2
2
2
Level Course Title
Information Policy
Culture, Information and Technology
Issues in Information Studies
Information and Society
Communications and the Consumer
Librarians and Information Seeking in the 21st Century
Workplace
Advanced Rare Books Curatorship
History of the Book
Management of Information Agencies
Advanced Human Resources Management in Information Units
Bibliographic Information Resources
Advanced Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Advanced
Introduction to Electronic Resources
European Information Markets
Literature for Children
Archives and Manuscripts
Cataloguing and Classification
Telecommunications and Networks
Database Management Systems
Introduction to Computers and Databases
Web Publishing
Advanced Web Publishing
Knowledge Management (Electronic Library and Resource
Management)
Electronic Library Systems
Research Methods I
Research Methods Seminar II
Assessment
Candidates for the MLIS Degree are required to complete course work, sit a written
examination and submit a minor thesis in accordance with University regulations. An
oral examination may be held if the examiners so decide.
NB. In addition to the two * compulsory courses and units, MLIS participants must
select a minimum of 10 ADVANCED course units.
Application Procedure
For details of application procedures contact:
The Secretary, Department of Library and Information Studies
Library Building, University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4
Telephone:
Fax:
+353-1-716 1161
+353-1-716 7055
The final date for receipt of applications is 1st February of the year for which entry is
sought.
Last updated by Noreen Hayes 2 Nov. 2004.
Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies (HDipLIS)
(Programme Code: HSHDF0002)
Course Objectives
The graduate Diploma prepares students for professional careers in information or
library work.
Admission Requirements
Candidates who hold a recognised university Degree will be considered for admission
to the Diploma course in Library and Information Studies. Candidates must normally
have experience of work in a library or information environment before commencing
study on the course. It is not necessary to have this experience at the time of
application.
Application Procedure
Applications should normally be received by the
Department of Library and Information Studies,
Library Building,
University College Dublin,
Belfield, Dublin 4
(telephone: +353-1-7167055)
by 1st February of the year of entry.
Course Structure
The normal duration of the course is one academic year (September – May).
Course Syllabus
Students take a combination of course units, as advised by the Department. Students
must accumulate at least twenty units including certain compulsory courses. No more
than ten units may be taken from advanced course units.
Course Units for HDipLIS
Course Number
IS-P411
2
IS-P412
2
IS-P413
2
IS-P415
2*
IS-P418
2
IS-P422
IS-P423
IS-P431
IS-P433
2
2
2
2
IS-P441
IS-P442
Practice
IS-P444
IS-P445
IS-P446
IS-P447
IS-P449
IS-P456
IS-P461
IS-P463
IS-P464
IS-P465
IS-P466
IS-P467
2*
2
IS-P468
IS-P471
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2*
2
2
2
2
2
2
Units
Level
Course Title
Information Policy
Culture, Information and Technology
Issues in Information Studies
Information and Society
Advanced Librarians and Information Seeking in the 21st
Century Workplace
Advanced Rare Books Curatorship
History of the Book
Management of Information Agencies
Advanced Human Resources Management in Information
Units
Bibliographic Information Resources
Advanced Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and
Introduction to Electronic Resources
Advanced Advanced Electronic Resources
Advanced European Information Markets
Literature for Children
Advanced Archives and Manuscripts
Cataloguing and Classification
Advanced Telecommunications and Networks
Advanced Database Management Systems
Introduction to Computers and Databases
Web Publishing
Advanced Web Publishing Research
Knowledge Management (Electronic Library &
Resource Management)
Advanced Electronic Library Systems
Advanced Research Methods
NB. In addition to the three * compulsory courses and units, HDipLIS
participants must select at least two units from Information
Technology/Knowledge Management modules (i.e. from IS-P461, IS_P463, ISP464, IS-P467, IS-P468)
Not all course units will be available in every semester or year.
Last updated by Noreen Hayes 2 Nov. 2004.