i n f o r m a t i o n     s c i e n c e

IS 1200 Principles of Information Science     4 QH
Provides an overview of the key theories, concepts, and themes of information science. Examines information processing and communication systems from the perspective of the technology that provides the information, and the people, organizations, industries, and societies that are affected by it. Topics include information and decision making; human information processing; data modeling; systems theory; definition and types of information systems and application domains; and societal and organizational impacts of information technology (the end-user computing revolution; the Internet and the World Wide Web; electronic commerce; privacy and computer ethics; information and the global economy). Prereq. COM 1100 or MSC 1336.

IS 1315/COM 1315 Database Design     4 QH
(Register for COM 1315) Focuses on the use and properties of relational database management systems. Uses the entity- relationship model on example problems. Presets the SQL language. Topics may include indexing, query optimization, and object-oriented databases. Requires implementing a database schema and writing a short application program on a commercial database management system. Nonmajors with programming experience in C are welcome. Prereq. COM 1101 or programming experience in a high-level language.

IS 1320/COM 1320 Information Retrieval     4 QH
Studies the principles and techniques for organizing and searching large heterogeneous data collections. Topics covered include retrieval models; text and hypertext representation and indexing; query formulation and search strategies; browsing, information visualization, and relevance feedback; and evaluation metrics. Advanced topics may include distributed information retrieval, knowledge-based approaches, and retrieval from multimedia databases. Prereq. COM 1201.

IS 1361 Information System Analysis and Design     4 QH
Develops an understanding of the planning, analysis, and design processes involved in information system development. Provides students with the opportunity to learn to critically analyze information behavior and requirements in context; to identify and articulate the information-processing issues at hand; and to develop a high-level design for an information system that successfully responds to those issues. Covers general systems theory with emphasis on the methodologies and procedures used in organizational problem solving and systems development. Topics include methods for data collection; cost benefit analysis; feasibility analysis; logical design leading to functional specifications; rapid prototyping and CASE tools; evaluation and re-engineering of existing systems. Prereq. COM 1101 or MSC 1336.

IS 1362 Information System Development     4 QH
Covers the process of implementing and deploying information systems. Discusses both technical and managerial aspects of information system development. Topics include the system development life cycle; platform and database selection and integration issues; physical design leading to detailed specifications; software construction; testing and software quality assurance; and system security. Discusses techniques and tools for project management and system performance evaluation; end-user training; system delivery; post-implementation review; and maintenance and re-engineering. Students are required to participate in course projects resulting in an implemented system. Prereq. COM 1204 and IS 1361.

IS 1410/COM 1410 Artificial Intelligence     4 QH
(Register for COM 1410) Focuses on approaches to making computers act intelligently by studying current methods for automated understanding, problem solving, and learning. Students perform experiments with semantic nets, logical deduction systems, evidential reasoning systems, and/or neural nets. Prereq. COM 1340.

IS 1420 Human-Computer Interaction     4 QH
Introduces the principles of human-computer interface design, and the methodology of usability engineering. Topics include user characteristics and the influence of context on user interface goals; dos and donŐts for the major elements of graphical user interfaces (windows, icons, menus, and pointers), guidelines for the use of color, error handling, on-line help, and adaptive technology. Examines the software life cycle from a usability perspective, and develops a methodology for iteratively creating and evaluating user interfaces to ensure that their performance in context conforms to the designerŐs goals. Students are required to participate in a project to design a user interface and evaluate its usability. Prereq. COM 1101 or MSC 1336.

IS 1510 Empirical Research Methods for Information Science     4 QH
Explores empirical methods for studying the performance, effectiveness, and impact of information systems, including both the technological and the human components. Topics include conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement; research design; modes of data collection including experiments, survey research, and observation; quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis; sampling; comparison and critical evaluation of empirical research techniques. Discusses the ethics of data collection and experimental design, considering the different contexts in which information is collected, and information systems are used and evaluated. Prereq. COM 1101 or MSC 1336, and a course in statistics.

IS 1611 Information Science Field Study     1 QH
Taken during the final co-op period in the senior year. Employs the cooperative education experience in order to observe and analyze information processing and communication behavior in context. Activities include: maintaining a journal of observations and experiences; participating in periodic electronic conferences with fellow students; and communicating through e-mail with the instructor to discuss insights recorded in the journal. Prereq. IS 1510 and information science major.

IS 1612 Information Science Senior Project     4 QH
A capstone course that continues the work of IS 1611. Develops a sophisticated understanding of the mutual interaction between context and technology. Requires student to write an in-depth research paper that reflects on and analyzes the observations and experiences of the field study, using the information science literature to interpret and better understand those experiences. Students will participate in a seminar in which each student presents the results of his/her research. Prereq. IS 1611.

IS 1777 Honors Adjunct Information Science     1 QH
Allows honors students who do not have an honors section to do honors work in one of the information science courses while enrolled in the regular course.

IS 1800 Directed Study in Information Science     4 QH
Provides students strong in information science and related subjects a chance to develop the art and skill needed to work independently and creatively in information science. Directed study can be used as an opportunity to examine familiar material in fresh ways or to explore new material that is not offered in formal courses. Prereq. Permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

IS 1805 Readings in Information Science     2 QH
Selected readings under the supervision of a faculty member. Prereq. IS 1200 and permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

IS 1810 Topics in Information Science     4 QH
Lectures by faculty on current topics in information science. Topics vary from quarter to quarter. Prereq. IS 1200 and permission of instructor. May be repeated up to three times for credit with changes in topics.

IS 1820 Information Science Undergraduate Thesis     4 QH
Interested students should contact the college for approval and registration information. Prereq. IS 1200 and permission of thesis adviser and approval of the College Undergraduate Committee.

IS 1821 Information Science Thesis Continuation     4 QH
Prereq. IS 1820 and permission of adviser. May be repeated for credit.

IS 1830 Information Science Undergraduate Project     4 QH
Offers students the opportunity to develop information systems, conduct experiments, or engage in other information science projects under the supervision of a project adviser. Prereq. IS 1200 and permission of the project adviser. May be repeated for credit with approval of the College Undergraduate Committee.

IS 1831 Information Science Project Continuation     4 QH
Prereq. IS 1830 and permission of adviser. May be repeated for credit.

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