MSIS Curriculum, Subplans & Courses

 

Faculty lecturing

Ranked the #11 program in the nation for machine learning by TechGuide, the University of Arizona Master of Science in Information Science is a transformative, interdisciplinary journey that gives students the advanced skills they need to implement information methods across organizations and industries.

The STEM-designated degree offered on our main campus in Tucson, Arizona requires 30 total units and can typically be completed in 18 months for full-time students.

Students select one of two subplans:

HUMAN-CENTERED COMPUTING

Human-centered computing courses explore topics like simulations, virtual reality, human-computer interaction, user experience and personal data-collection. The subplan includes an additional core course in human-centered computing and a variety of focused electives.

MACHINE LEARNING

Machine learning focuses on the interpretation and management of large amounts of data by automating the processes by which models of data are built. The subplan includes an additional core course in machine learning and a variety of focused electives.


MSIS Student Competencies

Students who graduate from the University of Arizona MS in Information Science will have the following competencies:

Competency 1

Students will establish the ability to exercise the four key techniques of computational thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms.

Competency 2

Students will obtain the skills of collecting, manipulating, and analyzing different types of data at different scales, and interpreting the results properly.

Competency 3

Students will acquire the skills to communicate the results of their work to interdisciplinary teams, using appropriate visualizations, multi-media, or artistic performance.

Competency 4

Students will demonstrate an understanding of information and data ethics, including ethical and legal requirements of data privacy and security, and the values of the information fields to serve diverse user groups.


Master’s Plan of Study

As an MSIS student, you will work with your faculty advisor to develop a Master’s Plan of Study during your first few months in the program. The Plan of Study, which must be submitted to the Graduate College no later than your second semester in the program, identifies:

  1. Courses you intend to transfer from other institutions (if any)
  2. Courses already completed at the University of Arizona which you intend to apply toward the graduate degree (if any)
  3. Additional coursework to be completed to fulfill degree requirements

The Plan of Study must have the approval of the director of graduate studies before it can be submitted to the Graduate College.

Questions about GradPath should be directed to Holly Brown, director of graduate programs and global student services, at brownhb@arizona.edu.

Course Transfers

A maximum of 6 units can be transferred toward your MSIS from other institutions. Please reach out to the program advisor over email and provide (1) the list of courses that you’d like to transfer, (2) the closest course to each of the potential transfers in the list of pre-approved courses and (3) the syllabus for each of the courses that you are intending to transfer.


Human-Centered Computing Subplan

Human-centered computing courses explore topics like simulations, virtual reality, human-computer interaction, user experience and personal data-collection. The subplan includes an additional core course in human-centered computing and a variety of focused electives.

Click a link below to view course information:

  • Choose three elective courses with the INFO prefix
  • Up to two elective courses may be substituted from other academic units with advisor approval

Complete a total of 3 units for the required internship and capstone project:


Machine Learning Subplan

Machine learning focuses on the interpretation and management of large amounts of data by automating the processes by which models of data are built. The emphasis prepares graduates—who understand the complexities of machine learning as a particular kind of data science—to be scientific leaders across sectors. The subplan includes an additional core course in machine learning and a variety of focused electives. The Machine Learning Subplan is ranked the #11 program in the nation by TechGuide.

Click a link below to view course information.

  • Choose three elective courses with the INFO prefix
  • Up to two elective courses may be substituted from other academic units with advisor approval

Complete a total of 3 units for the required internship and capstone project:

 


Internship or Capstone Project

An internship or capstone project of 1 to 3 units is required as part of the MSIS.

Internship

The internship is intended to provide an opportunity for students to build on what they have mastered in the program and practice the knowledge and skills in the real world, whether corporate, institutional, nonprofit or otherwise. The internship should be relevant to student's degree competencies and contribute to the development and enforcement of the student's knowledge and skill sets in the fields of data science and information science.

College of Information Science master's students have interned at a wide range of organizations, including:

  • Amazon
  • Avirtek
  • CyVerse
  • Freeport-McMoRan
  • Genentech
  • iDE Global
  • Intel
  • Labcorp Drug Development
  • Lightsense Technology
  • Lum.ai
  • Lunewave
  • Mayo Clinic
  • NuvOx Pharma
  • Onebridge
  • Pima County Public Library
  • Pitney Bowes
  • Roche
  • RNC Mobile Services
  • Tesla
  • The University of Arizona
  • Tucson Police Department
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Viasat
  • Vue Data

For additional information about internships, including resources for finding an internship and select internship postings, view the InfoSci Internships & Mentorships page:

College of Information Science Internship Information & Resources


Capstone Project

The 1- to 3-unit MSIS capstone project is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have mastered in the program. It is based on a project plan that includes project goals, master's competencies addressed by the project, system design, implementation schedule, assessment plan and milestones. The project contributes to the development and enforcement of the student's knowledge and skill sets in the field of information science.

The capstone project must exercise all competencies required for the MSIS and must also have a software development component. Students will deposit capstone project code in GitHub or another source code repository.

To declare capstone projects, students follow these steps:

  1. Identify your College of Information Science faculty supervisor.
  2. Request an experience via Handshake (mandatory).
  3. Upon completing the capstone project, submit a report (5,000-6,000 words in length) in the form of an academic paper, documenting what has been accomplished and explaining how the competencies have been demonstrated.
  4. Your supervisor(s) will complete a competencies evaluation form, evaluate the project and assign a pass/fail grade.


Curriculum & Courses for Students
Admitted Prior to Spring 2023

For students admitted prior to Spring 2023, view the MSIS curriculum and courses:

Core Courses

9 units total

Experiential Courses: Internship & Capstone 

Complete 3 units total:

  • INFO 693: Internship (1–3 units) 
  • INFO 692: Directed Research (1–3 units) 

More information on experiential courses is available on our internships and individual studies pages.

Capstone Project

Complete 3 units:

  • Register for INFO 698: Capstone Project.
  • The project will evaluate all competencies required for the MSIS degree.
  • Project must have a software development component with code deposited in GitHub or other source code repository.
  • Course may be repeated once if you do not obtain a satisfactory score the first time.
  • Project must be supervised by at least one faculty member in the College of Information Science.

You must submit your application in Handshake. More information can be found on the individual studies page.

Upon completing the capstone project, students submit a report (5,000-6,000 words in length) in the form of an academic paper, documenting what has been accomplished and explaining how the competencies have been demonstrated. The student's supervisor(s) will complete the competencies evaluation form. The Graduate Committee (or its subcommittee), plus the supervisors, will evaluate the project and competencies and assign a pass/fail grade. 

Elective Courses

  • 15 units total
  • No more than 6 non-INFO (out-of-department) units are allowed (if a student wants to petition for a non-INFO course that is not on the pre-approved list to count as an elective, they must send this request to the MS INFO Academic Advisor, attaching the course's syllabus and a detailed description of which MS INFO competencies the course addresses)
  • Any non-core courses with the INFO prefix is considered elective
  • The following out-of-department courses are also pre-approved for electives:


 

Ready to transform your future in information science?

Learn more about the Master of Science in Information Science by contacting us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu, or review the admissions process and begin your application now:

Start Your Application