BAS IIO Curriculum, Emphasis Areas & Courses

Faculty lecturing

The College of Information Science’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Intelligence and Information Operations (BAS IIO)—available on main campus and online—empowers students with the operational, analytical and technical skills to excel in intelligence careers spanning national defense, law enforcement and private industry.

120

Units to Complete Degree, Includes:
42 Upper-Division
47 Major Coursework
18 Minor or Dual Degree

4

Emphasis Areas:
Operational Intelligence,
Information Warfare,
Law Enforcement Intelligence,
Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare


Program Goals & Learning Outcomes

Develop the core skills necessary to meet the United States’ National Security imperatives through increased educational, cultural and experiential opportunities within the Intelligence Community.

Enhance your critical, analytical and cultural skills with a challenging and practical curriculum led by world class faculty and practiced intelligence experts. Dive into unique scholarship, language and overseas cultural immersion opportunities and exclusive internship and career placement assistance. You may also choose to participate in intimate networking sessions with leaders and practitioners of the United States IC and professional development summits.

The Intelligence and Information Operations curriculum includes both offensive and defensive Intelligence & Information Operations content delivered within our state-of-the-art Virtual Learning Environment. As a result, you will have extensive hands-on experience to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed after you graduate.

The Defense Intelligence Agency’s Intelligence Community - Center of Academic Excellence (IC-CAE) designation demonstrates that Arizona's Intelligence program meets the most demanding requirements and prepares our graduates for successful careers within the US Intelligence Community.

Choose from three IC-CAE designated degree tracks: Operational Intelligence, Information Warfare and Law Enforcement Intelligence.

 

Earning your Bachelor of Applied Science in Intelligence and Information Operations will build core skills, including

  • Analytical thinking

  • Cyber threat intelligence

  • Decision support

  • Intelligence & information collection

  • Intelligence analysis

  • Interagency collaboration

  • National security support

  • Strategic foresight & planning

  • Targeting

  • Analyze the structure and functions of the US national security and intelligence communities, including law enforcement agencies.
  • Describe and analyze the fundamental components of strategic intelligence; national intelligence policy; the intelligence cycle; and intelligence collection.
  • Demonstrate mastery of the Core Intelligence Analytic Process; including: defining the problem; generating a hypothesis; determining information needs and gathering data; evaluating sources; testing and evaluating hypotheses; packaging and disseminating the product; and conducting peer review.
  • Identify and apply tactics, techniques, and procedures used to conduct and defend against Information Operation campaigns.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking strategies, including: reasoning, problem solving, analysis, and evaluation, through applied mathematics; analytic writing, application of research methods, and advanced briefing skills.
  • Apply advanced knowledge of the major theories and concepts of intelligence and information operations through an internship, capstone, or supervised research experience.

Sample Four-Year Plan

120 units are required for graduation.

In addition to the required foundation and general education courses, BAS IIO students select one of two emphasis areas—Data Science or Interactive and Immersive Technologies—requiring 15 units. BAS IIO 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).

Click to view sample courses by year:

Year 1 | Fall

ENGL 101: First-Year Composition3 units
Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)1 units
Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives3 unit
General Elective3 units
General Elective3 units
General Elective3 units
TOTAL16 units

Year 1 | Spring

ENGL 102: First-Year Composition 3 units
Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives3 units
Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives3 units
General Elective3 units
General Elective3 units
TOTAL15 units

Year 2 | Fall

1st Semester Second Language 4 units
Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives3 units
Gen Ed: Building Connections3 units
Gen Ed: Building Connections3 units
Foundation Math3 units
TOTAL16 units

Year 2 | Spring

2nd Semester Second Language3 units
Gen Ed: Building Connections3 units
ENGV 306: Advanced Composition3 units
General Elective3 units
General Elective3 units
TOTAL15 units

Year 3 | Fall

General Elective3 unit
INTV 305: Intro to Intel and Info Operations3 units
CYBV351: Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare3 units
INTV 350: Collection Operations3 units
General Elective3 units
General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)1 units
TOTAL16 units

Year 3 | Spring

General Elective3 units
Major Elective3 units
INTV 401: Law Enforcement Intelligence3 units
INTV 326: Intro Methods of Intel Analysis3 units
BASV 314: Mathematics for Applied Science3 units
TOTAL15 units

Year 4 | Fall

General Elective3 units
Major Elective3 units
INTV 459: Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Synchronization3 units
CYBV 329: Cyber Ethics3 units
CYBV 381: From Incident Response to Digital Forensics3 units
TOTAL15 units

Year 4 | Spring

General Elective3 units
CYBV 450: Information Warfare3 units
INTV 498: Senior Capstone3 units
General Elective3 units
General Elective3 units
TOTAL15 units
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS120 units

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.

View or download fillable BAS IIO degree checklist by 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)

Ready to join the front lines of intelligence and cyber defense?

Learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science in Intelligence and Information Operations by contacting us at infosci-ugrad@arizona.edu, or review the admissions process and begin your application now.

If you are a current U of A student, learn more about declaring a major, minor or certificate.

Start Your Application