The College of Information Science's main campus, STEM-designated Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS) equips students with the versatile, cross-disciplinary skills they need to solve society’s most critical information challenges.
120
Units to Complete Degree, Includes:
42 Upper-Division
47 Major Coursework
18 Minor or Dual Degree
Emphasis Areas:
Data Science
Interactive & Immersive Technologies
Program Goals & Learning Outcomes
Regardless of the emphasis area students choose, program goals (or student competencies) and learning outcomes in the BSIS are the same, and are designed to provide the hands-on computational, mathematical and technological foundation to analyze and extend the digital world, opening the door to a wide variety of engaging careers.
- Students will be able to solve information and data challenges using key techniques of computational thinking (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms).
- Students will be able to collect, manipulate and correctly analyze varied data at different scales.
- Students will establish the ability to exercise the four key techniques of computational thinking (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms) in solving information and data challenges.
- Students will acquire the skills of collecting, manipulating and analyzing different types of data at different scales, and interpreting the results properly.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the use of information and communication technologies and the implications of such use in, for example, scientific and social uses of information and social, cultural and economic implications of digital life and culture.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct a research project using appropriate and ethical methods, including proper citation of sources.
- Students will demonstrate facility using basic research methods; for example, research design; statistics and analysis; organization, identification and location of data and information including open- and closed-access sources; and presentation of findings in oral, written and multimedia form, including proper use of and citation of sources.
- Students will be able to recognize and analyze ethical and policy concerns raised by new technologies and will be able to apply ethical thinking to real-world cases and craft effective solutions.
- Students will acquire the skills, knowledge and self-understanding to communicate with and effectively work and interact across cultures and with diverse people and groups.
- Students will be able to identify and apply professional ethics and standards relevant to their career and aspirations.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of career possibilities and further education options and opportunities open to them relative to their plan of study and will set goals and make plans beyond their expected graduation.
Sample Four-Year Plan
120 units are required for graduation. A minor with a minimum of 18 units, or a double major, is required.
In addition to the required foundation, general education and minor or double major courses, plus five core courses taken in the first two years, BSIS students select one of two emphasis areas—Data Science or Interactive and Immersive Technologies—requiring 15 units. BSIS students must also meet the following additional requirements to complete the degree: 3 units from Computational Arts and Media; 3 units from Society; a Research Methods course (ESOC 302); 3 units of Engagement: either independent study, directed research, an internship or ESOC 480: Digital Engagement; and the 3-unit Senior Capstone (ISTA 498).
- View or download BSIS overview and sample four-year plan in PDF format.
- Transfer students, map your transfer coursework for the BSIS here: Data Science emphasis area or Interactive and Immersive Technologies emphasis area
Click to view sample courses by year:
Year 1 | Fall
| ENGL 101: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH (based on placement) | 3 units |
| UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience | 1 unit |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| First-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| ENGL 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| ISTA 100: Great Ideas of the Information Age | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Second-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| ISTA 116: Statistical Foundations of the Information Age | 3 units |
| ISTA 130: Computational Thinking and Doing | 4 units |
| ISTA 161: Ethics in a Digital World | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| ISTA 131: Dealing with Data | 4 units |
| Computational Arts & Media Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio | 1 unit |
| ESOC 302: Quantitative Methods for the Digital Marketplace | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Major Emphasis Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| Societies Course | 3 units |
| Major Emphasis Course | 3 units |
| Major Emphasis Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| Major Engagement Course* | 3 units |
| Major Emphasis Course | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| ISTA 498: Senior Capstone | 3 units |
| Major Emphasis Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 12 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 units |
* Engagement course, such as an internship, may be completed over the summer.
This is a sample plan and is subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc. The official degree requirements may be found in the University General Catalog and all University of Arizona students should refer to the Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements.
Curriculum, Emphasis Areas & Courses
Bachelor's in Information Science students take a mix of Foundations, General Education, Core Major, Emphasis Area, Computational Arts & Media, Society, Research Methods, Engagement, Minor and Electives courses, subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc.
Choose from either the Data Science or Interactive and Immersive Technologies emphasis area.
Click a link below to learn more and view course information:
Foundations
Specific unit requirements may vary based on placement and/or prior college-level coursework:
- First-year English or equivalent
- MATH 122B or MATH 113 or MATH 116
- Second-semester second language proficiency
General Education
- Introduction to General Education (1 unit)
- Exploring Perspectives Courses (12 units, including at least one course from each domain: Artist, Humanist, Natural Scientist, Social Scientist)
- Building Connections Courses (9 units)
- General Education Capstone (1 unit)
Learn More About U of A General Education Requirements
Students who started before Spring 2022 will follow the previous U of A GenEd requirements:
- Tier 1 Individuals & Societies (6 units)
- Tier 1 Traditions & Cultures (6 units)
- Tier 1 Natural Sciences (6 units)
- Tier 2 Humanities (3 units)
- Tier 2 Individuals & Society (3 units)
- Tier 2 Arts (3 units)
- Diversity (3 units)
CSC 110 may substitute for ISTA 130.
For students who select the Data Science emphasis area, choose from:
For students who select the Interactive and Immersive Technologies emphasis area, choose from:
Students may only apply a course to either their emphasis area or the Computational Arts and Media requirement, but not both.
Choose one class from:
Choose one class from:
Take both:
- Independent Study, Directed Research, Internship or ESOC 480: Digital Engagement (3 units)
- ISTA 498: Capstone Project (3 units)
BSIS students are required to take 18 units from a minor or dual major.
Elective courses may be needed to reach the 120-unit graduation requirement, of which 42 units must be upper-division (300-level or above) coursework.
NOTICE: The Information Science and Technology degree has been renamed Information Science, with two available emphasis areas: Data Science or Interactive and Immersive Technologies.
Students declaring a new major during Fall 2021, post Seven Week 2 and onwards, will be placed in the Information Science 2021-22 catalog and must choose one Emphasis. Students who had previously declared Information Science and Technology can continue to follow their existing Information Science and Technology catalog.
Students are welcome to discuss the differences in catalog and name with their academic advisor.