Courses - Spring 2027
INST
Information Studies
INST001
Inquiry Groups
Credits:
0
Grad Meth:
S-F
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science Leadership and Community Engagement Doctoral program.
A required component of the ILCE program, this course connects students to a member of the INFO faculty and cohort peers who share institutional contexts and/or research interests to discuss readings of interest, problems of practice, and research questions while building community within the program.
INST104
What is design, who does it, and how is it done? There is no one answer to this question--it depends on who you ask. The answers to these questions vary across disciplines and across the University campus. This course, designed with modules from contributors in UMD programs including Information Studies, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Immersive Media Arts, Journalism, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, and Policy, will introduce students to the goals and values, approaches, skills, and practices of diverse fields of design. It will enable students to identify grand challenges in design and serve as a sorting hat to help students find a design practice that matches their own values, approaches, skills and goals.
INST123
Databases for All
Restriction: Must not have completed or be currently taking INST327 or BMGT402.
An introduction to relational databases for students with no previous programming experience. Provides a means for students of diverse backgrounds to successfully learn how to store, retrieve, and maintain data in relational databases. Topics include a brief comparison of database systems with an emphasis on relational databases, fundamental relational database concepts, and data types. Includes technical approaches to accessing information stored in relational databases.
INST126
Introduction to Programming for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Math placement of STAT100 or higher.
Restriction: Must not have completed INST326; and must be in Information Science, Technology and Information Design, or Social Data Science programs.
An introduction to computer programming for students with very limited or no previous programming experience. Topics include fundamental programming concepts such as variables, data types, assignments, arrays, conditionals, loops, functions, and I/O operations.
INST151
Becoming A Social Media Influencer
Credit only granted for: INST408N or INST151.
Formerly: INST408N.
Teaches students how to create, grow, and manage influential social media accounts. Topics will include tools for content creation, analyzing and strategizing with analytics, building community, and defining their niche and approach.
INST154
Examines Apollo mission, one of the greatest engineering accomplishments of all time, in which Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Since the mission, people have asked: if we can land on the moon, why can't we eliminate poverty? Why can't we cure cancer? Why can't we prevent global warming? Asks what were the social, political, financial, scientific, engineering, operational, and human aspects of the Apollo program that came together to make the moon landings possible?
INST155
Credit only granted for: INFM289I or INST155.
Formerly: INFM289I.
Introduces methods for analyzing and understanding how people use social media - social networking websites, blogging and microblogging, and other forms of online interaction and content generation - and their societal implications. Introduces students to the science and social science of network analysis. Through real world examples, including analysis of their own social networks, students develop skills for describing and understanding the patterns and usage of services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others.
INST201
Introduction to Information Science
Credit only granted for: INST201 or INST301.
Formerly: INST301.
Examining the effects of new information technologies on how we conduct business, interact with friends, and go through our daily lives. Understanding how technical and social factors have influenced the evolution of information society. Evaluating the transformative power of information in education, policy, and entertainment, and the dark side of these changes.
INST204
Credit only granted for: INST208D or INST204.
Formerly: INST208D.
Reviews how specific values are built into different automated decision-making systems as an inevitable result of constructing mechanisms meant to produce specific outcomes. These values create differential outcomes for the different people enmeshed in these systems, but both these values and these systems can be changed to support different values and different outcomes. The class serves as an introduction to the emerging field of algorithmic bias that bridges the disciplines of information science, computer science, law, policy, philosophy, sociology, urban planning, and others.
INST210
The Nuts & Bolts of Getting Hired
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program, Technology and Information Design program, or Social Data Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST208C or INST210.
Formerly: INST208C.
Have you thought about finding an internship, getting a job, or starting your career? Perhaps you're confused about how to begin. Welcome to The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Hired, where you'll learn the skills necessary to develop your professional tool kit and obtain the internship or job that can help you build the career you want. This course will help you prepare for the next step in your career by exploring the following topics: Identifying your career goals, mastering the skills of crafting a professional resume, effective interviewing, strategic networking, and professional communication.
INST228
Academic Peer Mentor Experience in Information Science; Academic Peer Mentor Experience in Information Science
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
INST309
Independent Study in Information Science
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg
INST311
Information Organization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program.
Examines the theories, concepts, and principles of information, information representation and organization, record structures, description, and classification. Topics to be covered in this course include the methods and strategies to develop systems for storage, organization, and retrieval of information in a variety of organizational and institutional settings, as well as policy, ethical, and social implications of these systems.
INST314
Statistics for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100, and MATH115 (or higher).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Basic concepts in statistics including measure construction, data exploration, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, pattern identification, and statistical analysis. The course also provides an overview of commonly used data manipulation and analytic tools. Through homework assignments, projects, and in-class activities, you will practice working with these techniques and tools to create information resources that can be used in individual and organizational decision-making and problem-solving.
INST326
Object-Oriented Programming for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
An introduction to programming, emphasizing understanding and implementation of applications using object-oriented techniques. Topics to be covered include program design and testing as well as implementation of programs.
INST327
Database Design and Modeling
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126, BSOS233, or GEOG276.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST327 or BMGT402.
Introduction to databases, the relational model, entity-relationship diagrams, user-oriented database design and normalization, and Structured Query Language (SQL). Through labs, tests, and a project, students develop both theoretical and practical knowledge of relational database systems.
INST330
Designing Tools for Tinkering and Learning
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the College of Information Studies, or by permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: INST208Z or INST330.
Formerly: INST208Z.
What do kids learn when playing with robots? How can video games teach people? Can people really learn a new language using an app? In this course, we will explore how technologies can help people learn. Central to the class will be looking at different types of tools, technologies, and environments, and investigating the various ways to help people learn. As part of the class students will learn to see the world through the eyes of an educational technology designer and develop ways to create and evaluate technological tools for tinkering and learning. Along the way, we will apply an inclusive user-entered design process to a series of projects, which may include mobile applications, robotics, Internet of Things, toys, and games.
INST335
Organizations, Management and Teamwork
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (INST201, INST301); and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Examines principles, methods and types of leadership with an emphasis on goal setting, motivation, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Examines principles of developing teams and managing team projects through planning and execution, including estimating costs, managing risks, scheduling, staff and resource allocation, communication, tracking, and control. Trains students to recognize and capitalize on opportunities to use information to increase efficiency, improve performance, and support innovation within teams and organizations. Focuses on strategic use of emerging technologies and new information resources to execute information-enabled change.
INST341
Introduction to Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a C- or higher, or be concurrently enrolled in INST311.
Restriction: Must be in Technology and Information Design or Information Science programs.
Explores various dimensions and contexts for digital curation, which includes all activities involving the management, representation and preservation of both born-digital and digitized information. Focuses on opportunities, challenges and demands of every-increasing digital data and networked information infrastructure.
INST346
Technologies, Infrastructure and Architecture
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST326 and INST327.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Credit only granted for: INST346 or BMGT405.
Examines the basic concepts of computer hardware, systems software, networking, client/server architectures, cloud computing, distributed systems, and high performance computing as applied to information rich domains. Technology and architectures will be discussed within the contexts of solving social issues, supportingscience, and conducting business operations. Current computing topics such as web environments, IoT, security, management, and policy will also be reviewed.
INST347
Cloud Computing for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST346.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science major.
What is cloud computing? Where does cloud computing occur? How can we use cloud computing to solve problems and create opportunities in information science? In this course, the foundations and operation of cloud computing, with a focus on information science applications, will be presented. Key cloud functions such as computing, storage, databases, and networking will be examined. Major cloud providers will be contrasted. The course will conclude with a practical application of cloud services to design and implement a cloud solution to a social, technical, or environmental problem.
INST352
Information User Needs and Assessment
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST311.
Restriction: Must be in Technology and Information Design or Information Science programs.
Focuses on use of information by individuals, including the theories, concepts, and principles of information, information behavior and mental models. Methods for determining information behavior and user needs, including accessibility issues will be examined and strategies for using information technology to support individual users and their specific needs will be explored.
INST354
Decision-Making for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST314 and PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program.
Examines the use of information in organizational and individual decision-making, including the roles of information professionals and information systems in informed decision-making through techniques such as data analysis and regression, optimization, sensitivity analysis, decision trees, risk analysis and business simulation models.
INST362
User-Centered Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105; and minimum grade of C- in INST326 and STAT100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Introduction to human-computer interaction (HCI), with a focus on how HCI connects psychology, information systems, computer science, and human factors. User-centered design and user interface implementation methods discussed include identifying user needs, understanding user behaviors, envisioning interfaces, and utilizing prototyping tools, with an emphasis on incorporating people in the design process from initial field observations to summative usability testing.
INST364
Human-Centered Cybersecurity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in INST327, STAT100, MATH115, and PSYC100.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program; or must be in the Information Risk Management, Ethics, and Privacy Minor.
Cybersecurity is fundamentally a problem of human interaction with technology, but its technical challenges are better understood than its human challenges. This course is designed to give you an overview of human interactions with cybersecurity technology, from users to system designers. Using the information gleaned in this course, you should be able to make better predictions about how people react to cybersecurity policies and tools, and how those reactions shape organizational behavior. The earlier part of the course focuses on explanations for behavior, while the later parts of the course focus more on the development and evaluation of tools for assisting people in cybersecurity.
INST366
Privacy, Security and Ethics for Big Data
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in one of the following: INST126, GEOG276, or BSOS233; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100; and minimum grade of C- in one of the following: AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science, Technology and Information Design, or Social Data Science programs; or must be in the Information Risk Management, Ethics, and Privacy Minor.
Evaluates major privacy and security questions raised by big data, Internet of things (IoT), wearables, ubiquitous sensing, social sharing platforms, and other AI-driven systems. Covers history of research ethics and considers how ethical frameworks can and should be applied to digital data.
INST367
Prototyping and Development Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST380.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: INST398A or INST367.
Formerly: INST398A.
Covers interaction design--the process of defining products and the broad services built around them--and user experience research--how you determine what to design and how successful your design is. When interacting with systems, people build expectations and mental models of how things work, based upon their previous experience with similar products or processes, and the successful or unsuccessful nature of their interactions determines the success of your design. This course is about how to design for digital interactions that will resonate with your audiences (how the features and functions of a product get translated into something people find usable, useful, and desirable), and the research that goes on throughout that process (from contextual inquiry to evaluating the final product), with a particular emphasis on prototyping and iteration.
INST371
Teaching and Learning in Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Introduces students to foundational theories and practices of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on how they intersect with ideas from the Information Sciences. Covers foundational theories related to teaching and learning, social and cultural dimensions of learning, designing for learning, evaluating educational technologies, and ways of creating equitable, effective, and accessible learning experiences. Students will design learning activities for others, analyze educational tools and technologies, and explore ways to help teach others about the big ideas of Information Science.
INST372
Peer Learning in Computing
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be an undergraduate student serving as an Academic Peer Mentor, or an Undergraduate Course Aide, or a Peer Tutor in the College of Information .
Credit only granted for: INST227, INST398F or INST372.
Formerly: INST398F.
Focuses on peer tutoring and mentoring in computing, with an emphasis on applied teaching, student learning, and leadership. Includes hands-on mentoring experience, discussion, and reflective work on mentoring practices.
INST377
Dynamic Web Applications
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); and minimum grade of C- in INST327, STAT100, and MATH115 (or higher).
Restriction: Restricted to Information Science and Social Data Science.
Credit only granted for: INST377 or BMGT406.
An exploration of the basic methods and tools for developing dynamic, database-driven websites, including acquiring, installing, and running web servers, database servers, and connectability applications.
INST380
Technology and Information Design: Do Good Now
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201, INST126, and STAT100; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: ARHU380, BSOS388B, PLCY388D, or PLCY380.
Climate change. Poverty. Racism. Pressing social issues are big, complex, and difficult. They can feel overwhelming to understand and impossible to address. You might care deeply about an issue, and want to make a difference, but don't know where to start. Sometimes you might not even try. This course will equip and empower you to delve deep into understanding a social issue of your choosing. Through course materials and activities, you'll try out your changemaker muscles and mindsets. Our goal is that this course will empower you to be an informed, engaged citizen who contributes to your community with and beyond your profession. Along the way, we'll address questions like, "What is social change?" and "What happens when our actions have unintended consequences?" We'll talk about the importance of understanding, empathy, agency, and community, and reflect on how these concepts relate to us as individuals.
INST381
Design Thinking for Visual Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105; and minimum grade of C- in INST126, INST201, and STAT100.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design major.
Credit only granted for: INST398J or INST381.
Formerly: INST398J.
In an age where technology increasingly permeates our daily existence, there remain certain human qualities that machines cannot replicate: creativity, curiosity, and empathy. This course endeavors to delve into the dynamic relationship between the pillars of aesthetics and the core skills of Design Thinking (DT), all with the goal of enhancing the design process. Throughout the course, we will witness instances where DT bolsters Visual Communication (VC), and conversely, where VC lends its support to the DT process. Our exploration will revolve around three pivotal questions: How can we engage users and establish meaningful connections with them? How can we empathize with users' challenges and provide them with effective solutions? How can we embrace a holistic approach to design?
INST382
Creative Coding
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the College of Information, or by permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: INST408Z or INST382.
Formerly: INST408Z.
Studies computational and data-driven tools for writing poetry and fiction. The focus is on experimental writing with computers, including digital fiction and poetry. Students will explore novel forms of collaboration with the computer, such as using an AI-generated passage of text as the seed for a more conventionally authored short story; writing a poem that contains lines and stanzas scored either ridiculously high or low by sentiment algorithms; and using paper ratherthan screens as a mediumfor computational display.
INST398O
Special Topics in Information Studies; Conflict, Resistance, and Information
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
In the past century, rapid advances in information and communication tec hnologies (ICTs) have transformed how individuals, organizations, and go vernments create, share, and control information especially during confl ict. From wartime radio broadcasts to encrypted messaging and A.I.-gener ated misinformation, the relationship between ICTs and conflict is compl ex and far-reaching. Through a series of case studies, this course exami nes how information is produced and manipulated through technology, expl oring the political, social, economic, and ethical consequences to help you better recognize and understand information control and manipulation.
INST398P
Special Topics in Information Studies; Behind the Data - The Power of Metadata
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: INST201 and INST311.
Examines both practical and philosophical development and use of metadata focusing on how metadata benefits the user. The course will cover metadata types, formats, data interchange standards, and data modeling.
Examines both practical and philosophical development and use of metadata focusing on how metadata benefits the user. The course will cover metadata types, formats, data interchange standards, and data modeling.
INST398R
Special Topics in Information Studies; Government by Algorithm: AI Use for the Public Good
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: INST 366
Focuses on the use of artificial intelligence by government actors in addressing societal challenges, including in such areas as information policy, healthcare, disease detection, environmental sustainability, national security, and social justice. Covers the AI legal and regulatory landscape at both the federal and state levels of government, as well as a range of policy concerns, including AI bias and data privacy. A portion of the course will look at dystopian outcomes from governmental use of AI technologies. Students will be expected to participate in designing one or more AI applications for a specific component of government to use in carrying out its mission.
Focuses on the use of artificial intelligence by government actors in addressing societal challenges, including in such areas as information policy, healthcare, disease detection, environmental sustainability, national security, and social justice. Covers the AI legal and regulatory landscape at both the federal and state levels of government, as well as a range of policy concerns, including AI bias and data privacy. A portion of the course will look at dystopian outcomes from governmental use of AI technologies. Students will be expected to participate in designing one or more AI applications for a specific component of government to use in carrying out its mission.
INST402
Designing Patient-Centered Technologies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- from INST362 or INST367.
Restriction: Must be in Technology and Information Design or Information Science programs.
Companies have created a vast array of apps and other technologies for understanding managing personal health and wellness, but many of them have been created with little understanding of audience needs or potential ethical issues. Course introduces students to the unique challenges of studying people's health and wellness needs as well as designing and evaluating technologies to meet those needs.
INST405
Game Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126, STAT100 or INST201; and minimum grade of C- from PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Credit only granted for: INST408J or INST405.
Formerly: INST408J.
Games are a structured form of play that are typically undertaken for recreational--but sometimes also educational and even professional--purposes. But what constitutes a successful game? In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of game design: applying elements and principles of game design, such as goals, rules, and challenges to create games, such as board games, card games, and digital games. You will be introduced to the basic tools and methods of game design: paper and digital prototyping, design iteration, design critique, and user testing. As part of the course, you will be designing several games of different types. You will also learn how to use your skills to deconstruct and critique the components of existing games, as well as gain an understanding of the role of the game designer in real-world game development teams.
INST406
Cross Disciplinary Design Communication Lab
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST380; and a minimum grade of C- in Professional Writing General Education requirement.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Explores the world of communicating the ideas behind the things we make. In design, the product tends to be the prize: a manifestation of experience, sensibilities, and observations. But products do not always articulate a complete picture of what they are and how they came to be. Communication--speaking, writing, depicting, presenting to various audiences--is an under-leveraged component of design, connecting the product with emotion, process, context, and most importantly, the audience.
INST408C
Special Topics in Information Science; Ethical Hacking
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
INST410
Managing with Data and Simulations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 and STAT100; minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105; minimum grade of C- in INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in MATH115 or higher.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science or Technology and Information Design programs.
Credit only granted for: INST408M or INST410.
Formerly: INST408M.
General principles of modeling, data analysis, and decision-making methods. Approaches to evaluating and assessing effective concepts, methods, and procedures of modeling and data analysis for decision making in management, advocacy, and communication situations. Ethical considerations in management, advocacy, and communication situations in professional life.
INST414
Data Science Techniques
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in MATH115 (or higher) and STAT100; and a minimum grade of C- from INST126 or GEOG276; and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, or SOCY100); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314.
Recommended: Minimum C- in MATH140 and (INST326, BSOS326, or GEOG376).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Jointly offered with: SDSI414.
Credit only granted for: SDSI414 or INST414.
An exploration of how to extract insights from large-scale datasets. The course will cover the complete analytical funnel from data extraction and cleaning to data analysis and insights interpretation and visualization. The data analysis component will focus on techniques in both supervised and unsupervised learning to extract information from datasets. Topics will include clustering, classification, and regression techniques. Through homework assignments, a project, exams and in-class activities, students will practice working with these techniques and tools to extract relevant information from structured and unstructured data.
INST423
AI Adoption Clinic: Values-Centered AI for Community Organizations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST423 or INST623.
Local governments and small organizations are increasingly adopting AI tools--but often without the expertise or resources to evaluate them. This course bridges that gap by giving students hands-on experience supporting real clients through The AI Clinic. Working in teams, students will analyze community "AI cases," assess potential tools, and identify benefits, risks, and ethical implications. Through these projects, students gain practical experience in responsible AI evaluation, procurement, and design for the public good.
INST443
Tools and Methods for Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a minimum grade of C-, or be concurrently enrolled, in INST341 or INST380.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Introduces students to the application of digital tools and methods in a variety of organizational settings, academic disciplines, and economic sectors.
INST445
Introduction to Cyber Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Restricted to undergraduate students in the College of Information, or by permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: INST408I or INST445.
Formerly: INST408I.
Provides an in-depth exploration of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), focusing on the processes, tools, and frameworks used to identify, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. Covers the threat intelligence lifecycle, adversarial tactics and motivations, and widely adopted threat intelligence frameworks. Includes hands-on labs and case studies to support the collection, analysis, and operationalization of threat intelligence. Emphasizes critical thinking, practical skills, and ethical considerations in detecting, mitigating, and defending against cyber threats. Develops the ability to produce actionable intelligence reports and contribute effectively to cybersecurity teams.
INST447
Data Sources and Manipulation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in STAT100 and INST327; and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following: (INST201, INST301, BSOS233); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following: (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following: (AASP210, ECON230, GEOG306, GVPT201, INST314, PSYC200, or SOCY201); and a minimum grade of C- from one of the following: (BSOS326, INST326).
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Examines approaches to locating, acquiring, manipulating, and disseminating data. Imperfection, biases, and other problems in data are examined, and methods for identifying and correcting such problems are introduced. The course covers other topics such as automated collection of large data sets, and extracting, transforming, and reformatting a variety of data and file types.
INST452
Health Data Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or BSOS233; and minimum grade of C- in STAT100 or MATH115 or higher.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Social Data Science program.
Health data analytics involves the extrapolation of actionable insights from patient data, using data sources such as electronic health records (EHRs), claims data, surveillance data, and surveys. Health data is complex, often unstructured and incomplete, and is organized for clinical care rather than to meet analytic needs. This course will involve the use of various analytical methods in order to translate large and complex data, whether structured or unstructured, into insights that improve decision-making from both the patient and provider perspectives. Healthcare data are rich and hold so much potential, but a challenge is presented to patients, providers, and even government agencies when it comes to figuring out how to leverage these data. Students in this course will learn foundational topics in data analytics focused on health data and will apply this knowledge to real health datasets through hands-on labs integrated into the lectures.
INST454
Project Development Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST104, INST126, INST204, and INST380; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in INST367.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program.
Allows students to develop a self-selected project or product, such as a game UI system or a task management app, while building advanced design skills. Students bring an initial idea to the class, and through lectures, discussions, weekly critiques, and project milestones, they progress their concepts into tangible, public-facing work. Emphasizing industry-standard methodologies, the course focuses on three core activities: externalizing ideas, engaging in constructive critique, and documenting design decisions and progress. This hands-on approach fosters self-directed learning, collaborative reflection, and a comprehensive understanding of design and development.
INST456
Risk Management Leadership in the Information Age
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST408B or INST456.
Formerly: INST408B.
Helps students assess and mitigate a range of vulnerabilities within an organization's data networks, allowing them to understand how to protect the integrity, security, and confidentiality of information.
INST457
Lean startup
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST398E or INST457.
Formerly: INST398E.
Understanding the innovation process, being a high-performing team member, and having hands-on experience with how to successfully transform an idea into a product or service that people want are critical to launch a business or social enterprise. This skill set is also in high demand by employers. In this class, you will become fluent in lean startup and design thinking principles to experience the entire startup cycle. You'll enjoy hands-on experience with the best practice methods and tools used in global innovation. You'll develop skills to pitch an idea, gain leadership skills to mobilize others, and navigate through difficult teamwork situations. You will benefit from the instructor's decades of experience launching successful for-profit ventures, and will be given an experienced entrepreneur as a mentor, and a lively, hands-on, and experiential style of teaching.
INST462
Introduction to Data Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in STAT100; minimum grade of a C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Exploration of the theories, methods, and techniques of visualization of information, including the effects of human perception, the aesthetics of information design, the mechanics of visual display, and the semiotics of iconography.
INST462H
Introduction to Data Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in STAT100; minimum grade of a C- from one of the following (INST201, INST301, or BSOS233); minimum grade of C- in INST126 or GEOG276; a minimum grade of C- from one of the following (AASP101, ANTH210, ANTH260, ECON200, ECON201, GEOG202, GVPT170, PSYC100, SOCY100, or SOCY105); and a minimum grade of C- from BSOS233 or INST314.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science or Social Data Science program.
Exploration of the theories, methods, and techniques of visualization of information, including the effects of human perception, the aesthetics of information design, the mechanics of visual display, and the semiotics of iconography.
INST463
Technology Socialprenuer
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST398B or INST463.
Formerly: INST398B.
Introduces students to the role of technology and entrepreneurship in our society. Students will be able to choose an existing society issue and develop creative entrepreneurial ideas to solve it using innovative technologies. The course allows students to meet industry professionals and learn more about various social problems and projects companies focus on and try to solve in the modern world. Students are also able to contribute to those solutions.
INST464
Decision Making for Cybersecurity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must have earned a minimum grade of C- in INST201, INST126, MATH115, PSYC100, and INST364.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST408W or INST464.
Formerly: INST408W.
Discusses human and organizational decision making from a variety of perspectives. Applies different risk assessment and decision making frameworks that are relevant to personal and organization cybersecurity, with a focus on the quantitative Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) model. Considers monetary, social and societal costs of cybersecurity decisions. Considers a range of questions relating to cybersecurity, from whether to install a game on a smartphone to how to allocate scarce information security resources in an organization.
INST466
Technology, Culture, and Society
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST201 or INST301; and minimum grade of C- in PSYC100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science program or Technology and Information Design program.
Individual, cultural, and societal outcomes associated with development of information & communication technologies (ICTs), including pro- and anti-social factors. Unpacking how gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and political affiliations affect consumption and production of online experiences. Unpacking how structures of dominance, power and privilege manifest at individual, institutional and cultural levels.
INST467
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity for Policy Makers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed with a C- or be concurrently enrolled in INST364.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program.
Credit only granted for: INST408V, PLCY388C, or INST467.
Formerly: INST408V.
Explores the key issues facing policy makers attempting to manage the problem of cybersecurity from its technical foundations to the domestic and international policy considerations surrounding governance, response, critical infrastructure risk management, and privacy. Designed for students with little to no background in information technology, and will provide the principles to understand the current debates shaping a rapidly evolving security landscape.
INST470
Competitive Business Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: INST408K or INST470.
Formerly: INST408K.
Competitive intelligence (CI) is a derivative of governmental intelligence, as well as business marketing, economics, and management, that is defined similarly: the collection, evaluation, analysis, and application of legally available information relevant to the plans, decisions, and operations of one's organization. Topics will include an overview and comparison of the intelligence process in government and in business (i.e., the intelligence cycle), a detailed consideration of the requirements and the analytical segments of that process, a survey of current analytical tools, a survey of information sources and information acquisition activities, a survey of required personnel, physical and information security policies, and the necessary efforts in creating an effective CI unit within any business enterprise.
INST490
Integrated Capstone for Information Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST311, INST314, INST326, INST327, INST335, INST346, INST352, and INST362.
Restriction: Must be in Information Science program; and must have earned a minimum of 90 credits; and permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Jointly offered with: INST491, SDSI492.
Credit only granted for: INST490, INST491, or SDSI492.
The capstone provides a platform for Information Science students where they can apply a subset of the concepts, methods, and tools they learn as part of the Information Science program to addressing an information problem or fulfilling an information need.
INST491
Integrated Capstone for Technology and Information Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in INST204, INST367, INST380, INST406, INST454, and INST466.
Restriction: Must be in the Technology and Information Design program; and must have earned a minimum of 90 credits; and permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Jointly offered with: INST490, SDSI492.
Credit only granted for: INST490, INST491, or SDSI492.
The capstone provides an opportunity for Technology and Information Design students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. Students will work to address a real-world problem through the design and development of a technology-based solution.
INST600
Foundations for Librarians and Information Professionals
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: LBSC791 or INST600.
Formerly: LBSC791.
An introduction to the field of library and information science (LIS), its history, and future direction that provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the nature and functions of the profession(s) they have entered. The focus is on core concepts underlying the LIS discipline, with particular emphasis on professional ethics/values, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), and the ways in which technology has shaped and continues to shape the field.
INST604
Introduction to Archives and Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Overview of the principles, practices, and applications in the archival and digital curation fields.
INST608D
Special Topics in Information Studies; Spatial Representation and Analysis for Libraries and Archives Collections
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Hands-on exploration of digitization, geocoding, geolocating, georeferencing, vectorization, & spatial analysis.
INST610
Information Ethics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Investigation of the diverse range of ethical challenges facing society in the information age. Ethical theories, including non-Western and feminist theories. Application of theories to information ethics issues.
Cross-listed with INST830. Credit received only for INST610 or INST830.
INST612
Information Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Nature, structure, development and application of information policy. Interactions of social objectives, stakeholders, technology and other forces that shape policy decisions.
INST613
Information and Human Rights
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
An examination of information as a human right, including topics: social, cultural, economic, legal, and political forces shaping information rights; the impact of information rights on information professions, standards, and cultural institutions; and information rights and disadvantaged populations.
Cross-listed with INST832. Credit only granted for INST613 or INST832.
INST614
Literacy and Inclusion
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
The educational and psychological dimensions of helping and supporting new users to become information literate and experienced users to remain engaged.
INST616
Open Source Intelligence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
An introduction to Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for Information Professionals. For the purposes of this course, OSINT is defined as the use of free, publicly available online sources to gather information about people, organizations/groups, places, businesses, activities/events, and capabilities. Collected information is used to conduct analysis or reach conclusions with estimated level of certainty. Students will learn basic and advanced techniques for using search engines, people directories, social networks, location-based services, images and videos, public records, domain analytics, documents, archives, and other sources. Throughout the modules, data quality and validation procedures will be key topics. Professional applications of the skills taught are extensive and include libraries, law offices, journalism, human resources, competitive intelligence, law enforcement, opposition research, government agencies, ethical hacking, and many more.
INST622
Information and Universal Usability
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Information services and technologies to provide equal experiences and outcomes to all users. Laws, standards, approaches, component concepts, access needs, and technologies in relation to physical and online information environments.
INST623
AI Adoption Clinic: Values-Centered AI for Community Organizations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Jointly offered with: INST423.
Credit only granted for: INST423 or INST623.
The AI Clinic will take on "AI cases" led by the instructor and a group of students with diverse backgrounds, both disciplinary and educational. AI cases will provide students with semester-long, hands-on learning opportunities and prepare them for the challenges of deploying AI in real-world settings.
INST630
Programming Human-Centered Interfaces
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
An introduction to the development and programming of user interfaces intended for students interested in human-computer interaction. Topics include fundamentals of programming, history and current trends in user interface implementation that are relevant to information professionals.
INST639A
Special Topics in HCI; Human-Computer Interaction and U.S. Law
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Practitioners and researchers within human-computer interaction (HCI) are often faced with legal issues related to their HCI work. For instance, there are legal requirements for making web sites and technologies accessible for people with disabilities, requirements for protecting the data privacy of users, and the use of dark patterns which mislead users and may or may not be legal. In addition, there may be questions related to the intellectual property of various interface designs. This course will provide students with the knowledge of U.S. Legal requirements, both at the Federal and state level, related to interface design in the broadest sense, so that they can apply those laws to designing and evaluating interfaces that meet existing legal standards.
INST639G
Special Topics in HCI; UX Strategy
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Explore applications of business strategy and UX design that create innovative digital products and services to meet user needs, enhance an organization's value proposition, and advance its mission and goals.
INST639R
Special Topics in HCI; Make it Smart: Human-Centered Design for AI
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Learn the user experience design of AI applications and systems. This course builds skills to shape AI behavior, usability, safety, and explainability through design and user needs impacting the full product stack of data, models, prompts, and user interface.
INST639T
Special Topics in HCI; Social and Psychological Impacts of AI
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Explores human-AI interaction from a social science perspective with a focus on understanding how humans perceive, interact with, and are influenced by AI systems, drawing on social scientific theories from psychology, communication, social computing, and beyond. Covers AI anthropomorphism, AI s persuasive power, explainable AI, AI for information seeking, human-centered AI in health, AI and human confidence and creativity, AI aversion and overreliance, AI and misinformation, AI reasoning and biases, and AI for social scientific research.
INST641
Policy and Ethics in Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Prerequisite: INST604; or INST640; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Discussion of strategies to address intellectual property, privacy, security and other policy and ethics concerns raised by the curation of digital records and data.
INST646
Principles of Records and Information Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Principles and practices of managing records in the context of information management programs in government, corporate and other institutional settings. Includes access; legal requirements; digital technologies; and creation, administration, appraisal, and retention and disposition of records.
INST652
Design Thinking and Youth
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
Methods of design thinking specifically within and for youth contexts, including user-centered design, understanding user needs, ideation, contextual design, participatory design, iterative prototyping, and visual design. These topics will specifically be studied in the context of designing with and for youth.
INST653
Introduction to Museum Scholarship
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with: AMST655, ANTH655, HIST610.
Credit only granted for: AMST655, ANTH655, HIST610, INST728T or INST653.
Provides students a basic understanding of museums as cultural and intellectual institutions. Topics include the historical development of museums, museums as resources for scholarly study, and the museum exhibition as medium for presentation of scholarship.
INST654
UX Business Basics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
To be effective in their roles, UX practitioners must also be effective in the corporate world. That means working jointly and effectively with engineering, product management, management, and clients. The role and expectations of UX practitioners however vary significantly from business unit to unit, team to team. This course focuses on three main areas that will affect your UX influence in the corporate world including methods for establishing research and design processes, effectively implementing UX strategy in the business environment, and curating your personal and professional readiness as a UX practitioner. This course will introduce you to decentralized design and how to not only advocate for user-centered design but also empower other internal teams to make user-centered, data-driven design decisions.
INST662
Networked Infrastructure
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be a graduate student in the INFO college.
An introduction to the devices (especially personal computing devices, switches, routers, servers, and controllers) and protocols (TCP/IP) that form the internet. Through hands-on lab and simulation work, students will build and configure scalable computer networks, embedding secure design principles at every stage. Each week students will be given access to hardware, software, and cloud tools to build illustrative small models of larger networks. A core feature of the course is its integration with "Cyber Defense and Ethical Hacking." Students will not only construct network infrastructures but also see them tested and attacked by peers in the companion course, gaining valuable feedback and insights on the effectiveness of their designs under real-world threat conditions. By the end of this course, students will be equipped to design, defend, and iterate on infrastructure in adversarial conditions, gaining a deep understanding of the technical and human dimensions of cybersecurity.
INST663
Cyberdefense and Ethical Hacking
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be a graduate student in the INFO college.
Learn to assess and defend real-world information systems through applied cybersecurity techniques and adversarial thinking. Working in tandem with the "Networked Infrastructure" class, students in this course take on the role of ethical hackers, probing and penetrating the networks built by their peers. This iterative cycle fosters a high-feedback learning environment where both attackers and defenders refine their skills in tandem. Focusing on threat detection, mitigation strategies, and incident response, students will use industry-standard tools and AI-augmented systems to simulate modern cyberattacks. They will also explore how to design systems that are resilient to these threats, studying historical case studies and performing red-team/blue-team exercises.
INST664
Transforming Unstructured Content with AI
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be a graduate student in the INFO college.
Automated generation of structured data from unstructured information sources such as text, images, audio, and video. Transformations include text representation, classification, topic and entity extraction, as well as captioning, transcription, and event description for other modalities. The course covers classical feature-based approaches and modern generative AI, especially large language models, with an emphasis on evaluation, limitations, and ethical considerations.
INST682
Personal Health Informatics & Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Personal Health Informatics cover a broad concept that encompasses an array of approaches to collect, store, share, analyze, and reflect on personal health data. Not only health care providers are relying on Health Technologies to improve patient care, people are increasingly using health devices and apps in their everyday life. Individuals have started using new technologies to collect data, increase awareness, and reflect on and change their behaviors. They also use various tools for curiosity and fun. This course will provide an overview of this exciting field and examine how social and behavioral theories can be applied to create effective health applications.It is difficult to create health technologies that can successfully be integrated into people's daily life due to many obstacles in individuals' data collection, integration, self-reflection, and sharing practices. Understanding these challenges is an important part of designing Health Technologies. Therefore, this course will cover HCI and design thinking methods that you can leverage in understanding the adoption of Health Technologies. Moreover, visualizations facilitate people to gain insights from their data, so we will cover common visualization approaches used in the personal data contexts.
INST702
Advanced Usability Testing
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor; or (INFM605 or INST631).
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Usability test design, implementation and analysis for computer and mobile devices; special attention will be paid to remote testing. Students will learn the complex process of coordinating and facilitating a usability test and how to synthesize test data into reports appropriate for various audiences.
INST703
Visual Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Human-Computer Interaction Master's program.
This hands-on studio course will help students develop foundational visual skills related to user experience (UX) design. Students will explore methodologies and processes used in many of the industry's top creative environments and study the entire visual design skillset, including concept development, content creation, system design, and tools and process.
INST705
Game Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Recommended: Programming experience will be useful, but not strictly necessary.
Credit only granted for: INST705, INST728E, or INST408J.
Learn the fundamentals of game design by applying elements and principles of game design, such as goals, rules, and challenges, to create board games, card games, and digital games. Students will be introduced to the basic tools and methods of game design: paper and digital prototyping, design iteration, design critique, and user testing. Students will design several games of different types to add to a growing portfolio of game design concepts. Students will also learn how to use their skills to deconstruct and critique the components of existing games, as well as gain an understanding of the role of the game designer in real-world game development teams.
INST709
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST710
User Experience Research Methods
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Students will learn to conduct user research in industry and to provide foundational knowledge needed for academic research. It examines the theoretical and epistemological differences between research paradigms and provides an overview of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches. It overviews user-centered design (UCD) methods, and uses Contextual Inquiry/Contextual Design as the backbone for a research project, incorporating related formative UCD methods and techniques. It is a project-based course, where students conduct a semester-long project to prepare them for the HCIM Capstone as well as other types of formative user research.
INST711
Interaction Design Studio
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Additional information: Enrollment is prioritized for HCIM students. Remaining seats may be filled with permission from the INFO program or the instructor.
Covers basic interaction design principles and design process from a studio-based design perspective. Focuses on how to design for interactions that will resonate with your audiences: how the features and functions of a project get translated into something people find usable, useful, and desirable. Explores the role of interaction designers. Students design and prototype interactive products, systems, and services.
INST725
Legal Research for Information Professionals
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST615.
Restriction: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in INFO; or permission of instructor.
An in-depth exploration the methods, resources, and context of conducting advanced legal research. After offering an overview of various types of legal materials, the course will focus on finding and analyzing legal materials through various primary sources, databases, secondary sources, and public records for government and corporate settings. The course will also discuss practical issues of conducting legal research, such as data management and budgeting.
INST726
Information Governance
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Offers a comprehensive introduction to information governance, an emerging discipline concerned with how organizations minimize risk and maximize the value associated with their information assets. Drawing from real-life examples from the private and public sectors, the course will explore important facets of information governance, including how institutions incorporate best practices in records and information management, data storage and archiving, e-discovery, privacy, cybersecurity, analytics, risk management, and compliance. The course will also provide practical lessons in developing a state-of-the-art information governance program.
INST728B
Special Topics in Information Studies; Music Encoding for Preservation and Research
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST733
Database Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: LBSC690, LBSC671, or INFM603; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: INST733 or LBSC793.
Formerly: LBSC793.
Principles of user-oriented database design. Requirements analysis. Data modelling. Data integrity and security and multi-user databases. Implementing an information system using a database management system (DBMS).
INST737
Data Science Techniques
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST627; and (LBSC690, LBSC671, or INFM603). Or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Computers have made it possible, even easy, to collect vast amounts of data from a wide variety of sources. It is not always clear, however, how to use those data and how to extract useful information from them. This problem is faced in a tremendous range of scholarly, government, business, medical, and scientific applications. This course will provide students with an overview of the different components of the Data Science pipeline and with practical skills to implement it. Data Science is by nature an applied science. This course will use real datasets from open data sources and data challenges from a variety of disciplines to immerse students in real Data Science settings and to teach them about the challenges that arise when working with complex, imperfect data.
INST742
Implementing Digital Curation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: INST604; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Hands-on learning experiences with real-world environments and examples that touch on significant areas of digital curation. Selected topics will be chosen to allow students to find and explore best current practices in the use of representative tools. There will be assigned readings each week with opportunities to experiment with software environments and manage data and records. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the field, the tools and topics will reflect current trends.
INST750
Advanced Data Science
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: INFM603 and INST737; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Credit only granted for: INFM750 OR INST750.
Formerly: INFM750.
Application of data science techniques to unstructured, real-world datasets including social media and geo-referenced sources. Techniques and approaches to extract information relevant for experts and non-experts in areas that include smart cities, public health, and disaster management.
INST751
IoT and Streaming Data Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INFM603, INST733, or other programming and database courses, or Permission of the instructor.
An increasing number of sensors, actuators, Internet-connect instruments and apparatuses, smart devices, and systems are generating and broadcasting a wide variety of continuous data streams. Machine-generated structured data sources are joined by a myriad of unstructured data streams from social media, weather, and news sources, among others. Integrated into networks, these continuously-streaming devices (collectively referred to as the Internet of Things, or IoT) provide a fertile array of data sources that can be ingested and analyzed to inform and automate decision processes for numerous purposes including operational intelligence, process monitoring, optimization, risk management, personalization, and prediction in real time. This course looks at architectures and operational modes for streaming data sources and examine methods for descriptive analytics, creation of predictive models, and integrated deployment of these models via centralized and edge computing resources. We will discuss a variety of uses cases for streaming data analytics and how they are applied in different industries including public utilities, smart cities, manufacturing, telecommunications, and healthcare.
INST754
Data Integration and Preparation for Analytics & Visualization
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INFM600, INST630, and INST733; and (INFM603 or JOUR652) ; or permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the end-to-end processes for acquiring, ingesting, managing, cleansing, transforming, and integrating data sources for the purposes of reporting, analytics, and visualization. Concepts include data acquisition, data streaming, data staging, standardization, Data Profiling, data cleansing, data quality, concept and metadata harmonization, transformation, data warehousing, data governance, data modeling, and data visualization. Students will learn how ingested data sets can be transformed, integrated, and prepared for analytical use with dashboards and visualization.
INST762
Visual Analytics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INFM603, INST630, or JOUR652; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Visual analytics is the use of interactive visual interfaces to facilitate analytical reasoning. In essence, visual analytics is based on the--not uncontroversial--idea that humans and computers working alone are insufficient for the data challenges of today and tomorrow, and that effective synthesis of both humans and computational algorithms are needed to create human-in-the-loop systems. Thus, visual analytics bridges human-centered disciplines such as visualization and human-computer interaction with computation-centered disciplines such as machine learning, probabilistic methods, and knowledge discovery. The course contents will include both theoretical foundations of this interdisciplinary science as well as practical applications of integrated visual analysis techniques on real-world problems.
INST767
Big Data Infrastructure
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST737; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Principles and techniques of data science and business intelligence. Technologies and architectures for large-scale data warehousing and scale-out data analytics platforms. Supervised and unsupervised data mining.
INST776
HCIM CAPSTONE PROJECT
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
S-F
Prerequisite: INST775; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Must be taken in the semester immediately following completion of INST775 HCIM Capstone Prep; and permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Additional information: Enrollment is prioritized for HCIM students. Remaining seats may be filled with permission from the INFO program or the instructor.
The opportunity to apply the skills learned through coursework in a semester-long project applied to a real -world problem. Capstone projects may follow the design, prototyping and evaluation process from end-to-end or may focus on a subset of elements in that process, such as formative study and design.
INST779
Readings Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
INST785
Documentation, Collection, and Appraisal of Records
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST604; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of INFO-College of Information Studies.
Development of documentation strategies and plans; collecting policies to guide programs in acquiring records; theories and techniques for appraising records to identify those with continuing value.
INST786
Museum Research Seminar
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: AMST655, ANTH655, or HIST610.
Cross-listed with: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810.
Credit only granted for: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810, INST728U or INST786.
A research seminar focusing on the practice and presentation of cultural and historical scholarship in museums and historical sites. Students will complete an original research project on the challenges and opportunities of public exhibition and interpretation of cultural and historical research.
INST787
Museum Scholarship Practicum
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
Prerequisite: AMST856, ANTH856, or HIST810.
Restriction: Permission of Museum Scholarship Program required.
Cross-listed with: AMST857, ANTH857, HIST811.
Credit only granted for: AMST857, ANTH857, HIST811, INST728I or INST787.
Students devise and carry out a research program using the collections at the Smithsonian Institution or some other cooperating museum, working under joint supervision of a museum professional and a university faculty member.
INST799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F
INST802
Theoretical Foundations in Information Studies II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: INST801.
Credit only granted for: INST888 or INST802.
Formerly: INST888.
Pursuing a doctorate in information studies involves the scholarly examination of the interaction between people, information, technology, and society. There are, however, as many ways to examine the interaction of people, information, technology, and society as there are researchers and ways of understanding what counts as evidence and knowledge in different components of the field. In the second of this 2-course sequence (INST801 and INST802), students will be introduced to the diverse scholarly traditions that comprise information studies. Students will explore why there are so many ways of knowing and methods of discovery within the field, in order to help them identify the social theory and methods that will support their path through information scholarship.
INST818
Individual Research Experience
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST828
Readings Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST830
Information Ethics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science Leadership and Community Engagement Doctoral program.
Jointly offered with: INST610.
Credit only granted for: INST610 or INST830.
An examination of the frameworks, theories, prevalent issues, and current events at the intersection of information access and ethics. The purpose of this course is to foster ethically minded information professionals and, thereby, promote social justice within the information sector, broadly construed. Students will also explore a range of case studies adapted from headlining news, industry controversies, global affairs, and more.
Cross-listed with INST610. Credit received only for INST830 or INST610.
INST832
Information and Human Rights
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Information Science Leadership and Community Engagement Doctoral program.
Jointly offered with: INST613.
Credit only granted for: INST613 or INST832.
The concept of human rights is the belief that all individuals deserve certain equal rights as members of society. This course examines information as a human right, including topics on the relationship of information to human rights; social, cultural, economic, legal, and political forces shaping information; the impacts of rights on information professions, standards, and cultural institutions; and disadvantaged populations. While this course will focus on the United States, cases and examples will be drawn from international events.
Cross-listed with INST613. Credit only granted for INST613 or INST832.
INST878
Special Topics in Information Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
INST898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
INST899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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