BSIR
- Program Components
The BSIR program includes a total of 120 credits.
These credits are distributed in the following
areas:
- Area I: UWM Distribution Requirements -- General
Education (21 credits)
- Area II: BSIR Core Courses (27 credits)
- Area III: Information Studies Electives (15 credits)
- Area IV: BSIR Cross-functional Electives
(15 credits)
- Area V: General Electives - including associate
areas of study (42 credits)
Area I: UWM Distribution Requirements -- General
Education (21 credits)
The distribution requirements provide a broad
body of knowledge in the arts, humanities, natural
and social sciences as a foundation for specialization.
These requirements apply to students whose first
semester in a degree program at UW-Milwaukee or
any other accredited school was September, 1986
or later. Second Degree candidates are not responsible
for meeting these requirements. These requirements
(also known as the GERs) provide structure to
the UWM education while giving students the freedom
to design an individual academic program. Students
satisfy the distribution requirements by successfully
completing courses in the following areas:
1. Arts (3 cr.) Three credits
in a course about the history, philosophy, theory,
or practice of the creative and interpretive arts
(e.g., visual arts, dance, music, theatre, creative
writing).
2. Humanities (6 cr.): A total
of six credits in at least two courses. Required
course 210 may be used to satisfy three of these
credits.
3. Natural Sciences (6 cr.):
A total of six credits in at least two courses.
At least one course must include laboratory or
field experience involving the generation and
testing of data, and the application of concepts
and knowledge to the solution of problems.
4. Social Sciences (6 cr.):
A total of six credits in at least two courses.
5.Cultural Diversity: Three
credits in a course relating to the study of life
experiences of African Americans, Hispanic/Latino
Americans, American Indians or Asian Americans.
Courses, which satisfy Cultural Diversity usually,
also satisfy one of the required distribution
areas. (Students will need to satisfy this requirement
if they started attending UWM in fall 1989 or
later.) Further information may be obtained from
the undergraduate catalog or at www.uwm.edu/ugbulletin
Area II - BSIR Core Courses (27
credits)
110 - Introduction to Information Science
210 – Information Resources for Research
230 - Organization of Knowledge
240 - Information Architecture I
310 - Human Factors in Information Seeking and
Use
340 - Information Architecture II
410 - Database Information Retrieval Systems
440 - Information Architecture III
490 - Senior Capstone
Area III - Information Studies Electives (15
credits)
Students will take 5 additional Information Studies courses at the 300, 400 or 600 level
Area IV - BSIR Cross-functional Electives (15
credits)
Students will select a three-credit course from
each of the five following disciplines:
- Business (3cr.)
- Communication (3 cr.)
- Arts (3 cr.)
- Philosophy/Psychology (3 cr.)
- Library/Information Science (3 cr.)
Note - Students can take up to 9 credits of Special
Topic Courses. However, each topic will only meet
one area elective requirement.
Area V - General Electives (42 credits)
Each student will work with his/her advisor to
select general electives, including associate areas
of study that are appropriate to his/her career
goals and to complete the 120 total credit requirements
for the BSIR Degree. Because of its interdisciplinary
and cross-functional nature, the BSIR program
allows students to apply the study of the concepts
and tools of information science, information
architecture, and information technology to one
or more associate areas of study. The
associate area of study is a set of courses outside
of the BSIR major - normally a minor in another
field of study, typically including 18 - 22 credits.
In some cases, students may choose to study two
associate areas as part of their BSIR program.
Associate Areas of Study - Selected List
- Computer Science
- Communication
- General Business
- Journalism & Mass Communication
- Health Care Administration
- Library & Information Science
- International Studies
- Biological Sciences
- Philosophy
- Physics
With the help of their advisor, students may
also choose to create and customize their own
associate area of study. This may be credit-bearing
courses that students will take to prepare for
certification examinations such as Microsoft certifications,
CISCO, etc., or a customized selection of courses
chosen by students that will sharpen their skills
in one or more selected areas of study.
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