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About the Program

The Ph.D. in Information Studies offers two main areas of study – Information Access and Systems and Information Studies and Services – and includes research into such subjects as human-computer interaction and systems analysis and design. The program is structured to accommodate part-time students who are already working in the information field or in related professions. During the first-year of the program, courses are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.

The two main knowledge areas are composed of the following courses:

Information Access and Systems

Principles of information organization and retrieval as well as the information systems that support both activities.

  • Knowledge Organization
  • Information Retrieval
  • Information Systems
  • Human-Computer Interaction

Information Studies and Services

The relationship of information technologies to individuals, organizations, and society in general.

  • Information and Society
  • Information Policy
  • Information Services
  • Organization Information Management

Program Goals

Current and emerging information technologies present both challenges and opportunities. Realizing the benefits of information studies requires individuals who can:

  • Represent information and organize knowledge for efficient, timely access and effective use
  • Design, test and evaluate information retrieval systems and methodologies
  • Improve human computer interaction as the basis for designing ever more usable, effective information systems and environments
  • Investigate and understand information needs and information-seeking behaviors of individuals, groups and organizations in a variety of task and technology environments, including the Web
  • Investigate the effectiveness, relevance and evolution of societies’ information provision agencies and organizations such as libraries, museums, publishers and the media
  • Analyze information policy and ethics at national and international contexts

COMMAND THE WORLD OF INFORMATION

Interested in managing the world of information? Download our brochure here.