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
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 Composition | 3 units |
| Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) | 1 units |
| Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives | 3 unit |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| ENGL 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| 1st Semester Second Language | 4 units |
| Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| Gen Ed: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Gen Ed: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Foundation Math | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| 2nd Semester Second Language | 3 units |
| Gen Ed: Building Connections | 3 units |
| ENGV 306: Advanced Composition | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| General Elective | 3 unit |
| INTV 305: Intro to Intel and Info Operations | 3 units |
| CYBV351: Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare | 3 units |
| INTV 350: Collection Operations | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) | 1 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| General Elective | 3 units |
| Major Elective | 3 units |
| INTV 401: Law Enforcement Intelligence | 3 units |
| INTV 326: Intro Methods of Intel Analysis | 3 units |
| BASV 314: Mathematics for Applied Science | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| General Elective | 3 units |
| Major Elective | 3 units |
| INTV 459: Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Synchronization | 3 units |
| CYBV 329: Cyber Ethics | 3 units |
| CYBV 381: From Incident Response to Digital Forensics | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| General Elective | 3 units |
| CYBV 450: Information Warfare | 3 units |
| INTV 498: Senior Capstone | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| General Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 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:
- Operational Intelligence checklist
- Information Warfare checklist
- Law Enforcement checklist
- Signals Intelligence & Electronic Warfare checklist
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)