2024-2025 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
    Dec 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Course Catalog

School of Information Studies


Jeff Hemsley, Interim Dean
ischool.syr.edu

About the School

The Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) is a leader in the information field, advancing innovation in the digital age through our work at the intersection of business, technology, and society.

The iSchool became the original information school in the U.S. when it embraced information technology and the rise of the internet. Today, we offer an innovative curriculum that is continually updated to meet future industry trends and incorporate rapidly changing technologies.

Our faculty combine expertise in information systems, linguistics, computer science, library science, economics, education, business management, school media, digital literacy, management information systems, data science, enterprise and cloud computing, and communication. An active research community explores topics that reflect the faculty’s diverse intellectual backgrounds and interests.

Accreditation

Syracuse University is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and all programs are registered with the New York State Education Department. The MSCHE is a voluntary, non-governmental membership association that has been dedicated to quality assurance and improvement through accreditation via peer evaluation since 1919.

Vision and Values

The School of Information Studies, established in 1896 and renamed from the Original Information School in 1974, has a long tradition of leading innovation and change. Our ideals and values are the foundation for our success. To learn more, visit our website.

Undergraduate Education

Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (iSchool) students are innovative problem-solvers who are studying at the intersection of technology, business, and society. They explore topics like data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, machine learning and AI, social media and misinformation.

Our flexible curriculum allows students to pursue a broad array of intellectual areas while providing a core knowledge of the technical, organizational, and communication skills necessary to succeed in our digital economy.

We offer dual degree programs with Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Students from other schools and colleges at SU can enroll as a double major in the iSchool in one of the iSchool’s three minors.

Student Learning Outcomes

In the course of earning their degree, students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:

  • Identify and analyze the use of information, technologies, and data to solve problems in various contexts in the age of digital transformation
  • Present ideas through oral and written communication using data and information technologies
  • Identify and propose solutions to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the ethical use of data and information technologies
  • Compare the use of information technologies and data in a global context in the age of digital transformation

iSchool Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

The B.S. degree in Applied Data Analytics, Information Management and Technology, or Innovation, Society, and Technology requires 120 credits, distributed as indicated below.

I. iSchool Major (30-31 credits)

Students are required to complete a primary core for each major as a requirement for graduation. See individual program pages for detailed core requirements.

II. iSchool Electives (15 credits)

Students must complete five additional courses to fulfill their elective requirement.

Students are required to complete at least one of our course concentrations as a requirement with a minimum of three courses in that concentration for graduation in the B.S. degree in Information Management and Technology or Innovation, Society, and Technology.

Students in the B.S. degree in Applied Data Analytics may complete one iSchool concentration or obtain a minor outside the iSchool that leverages the use of analytics (e.g., Sport Analytics, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Applied Statistics, Economics).  Students who choose to obtain a minor (or double major) outside the iSchool can count two analytical focused courses as part of their 15 credit iSchool electives.

Data Analytics Concentration

Required 

Concentration Electives

Digital Retail Strategies Concentration

Required

Concentration Electives

Information Security Management Concentration

 Required

Concentration Electives

Innovation, Design & Startups Concentration

Required:

Cloud Computing Concentration

Required

Concentration Electives

Project Management Concentration

Required

Concentration Electives

Web Design & Management Concentration

Required

Concentration Electives

University-wide Requirements

The iSchool participates in students’ knowledge and skill development through the Shared Competencies, Syracuse University’s institutional learning goals that highlight the knowledge and skills students can expect to gain through their major courses, liberal arts requirements and co-curricular activities.

All incoming and transfer students are required to take a 1-credit FYS 101  course, and a 3-credit IDEA course that can be selected from an approved list  .

IST courses appearing on the approved IDEA course requirement list may be taken to fulfill both requirements.

III. Skills Electives (15-17 credits)

A. Programming Skills

Students are required to complete the computer programming course listed below:

B. Communication Skills (9 credits)

Students are required to take 12 credits in communications skills, including IST 344  , as well as one course from each of the three categories below:

 

 

C. Quantitative Skills (6-8 credits)

Students are required to attain minimum competence in mathematics by completing the quantitative skills requirement of the Liberal Art Core curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences.

All IMT and IST majors are required to attain minimum competence in mathematics. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing the quantitative skills requirement of the Liberal Arts Core curriculum
of the College of Arts and Sciences.
All ADA majors are required to attain minimum competence in mathematics. Students should take MAT 121  / 122    (Probability and Statistics for the Liberal Arts) or MAT 221  / 222   (Elementary Probability and
Statistics).

IV. Arts & Sciences Divisional Requirements (12 courses; minimum 36 credits)

Students are required to take three courses in each of the three divisions of the Arts and Sciences-Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Humanities. In addition, three courses in any of the divisions must be completed to fulfill this requirement.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 credits of coursework in the College of Arts & Sciences. Courses from Communication Skills, Quantitative Skills and A&S Divisional Requirements will all count towards the A&S minimum credit requirement. Additional A&S courses will be required to reach the 60 credit minimum requirement.

V. General Electives (20-23 credits)

Students need 120 credits to graduate from Syracuse University.  If after meeting all program and University requirements, a student is still lacking credits to meet the 120 credits needed for graduation, the student can take any undergraduate Syracuse University course to reach the graduation credits total.  Students can concentrate on a minor, a dual degree, a combined degree, an internship experience, or study abroad to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation. 

Courses appearing on the approved IDEA course requirement list may be taken to fulfill both requirements: General elective and IDEA.

 

VI. International Experience

Students will be required to complete one international experience to graduate with their iSchool undergraduate degree. Students can fulfill their international requirement in one of the following ways:

  • Semester abroad
  • University exchange
  • Short term abroad program
  • International Internship
  • Coursework (6 credits from approved list)
  • Approved international component - by petition

Programs

Major

Minor