Information science considers the relationships between people, places and technology—as well as the information or data those interactions yield. It unites a number of interdisciplinary approaches for understanding and shaping a future characterized by pervasively available digital technology. Drawing on knowledge from social science, computer science, data science and the humanities, information scientists support the study and innovation of "socio-technical systems."
Information science takes as a core idea that data are a common denominator for both social and technical systems. By focusing on the transformation of data across systems of people, places, and technology in ways that then make data truly useful and meaningful, students will be in the best possible position to invent what society can do with technology, and what technology can do for society.
The PhD program offers an education that combines training in the liberal arts, empirical investigation and computing knowledge, and incorporates the collaborative "lab model" research that characterizes the natural and engineering sciences.
Requirements
Application Guidelines
PhD applicants must:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
- Provide the following documents:
- A CV or resume
- An unofficial transcript from each college or university attended
- Scores from the general GRE are optional; international students must also have a TOEFL score of at least 600 (IBT 100)
- Three letters of recommendation from people qualified to judge the student's potential for success in graduate school (Note: The most compelling recommendation letters will provide specific observations about the candidate's promise in analytical thinking, oral and written scientific communication, and research and teaching, as well as demonstration of teamwork and collegiality)
- A statement of purpose (two pages maximum) that describes a question, problem or topic in information science the student has a passion to address; explains how the student's previous academic training, professional experience and/or personal passions led them to this question, problem or topic and drew them to this degree program; and identifies the faculty members with whom the student is interested in working and why
- Optional: A writing sample in addition to the statement of purpose
We encourage applications from individuals representing the broad range of disciplines. We welcome students that bring diverse skills and perspectives on the range of issues related to understanding and shaping the future of information science. All students admitted to the program will be expected to develop a breadth of competencies that are essential to being a researcher in this diverse, interdisciplinary field. One's ability and willingness to expand skill sets should be demonstrated in the statement of purpose.
Students are required to upload an unofficial copy of their transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance and whether courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of admission or dismissal from the university.
Only after a student is recommended for admission will they need to provide official transcripts. Assistance with graduate programs is available by phone (303-492-7977) or email (cmcigrad@colorado.edu).
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| INFO 7000 | Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Information Science | 3 |
| INFO 6101 | Theories and Concepts in Information Science | 3 |
| INFO 6201 | Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing | 3 |
| INFO 6500 | Information Science Seminar (four 1-credit sessions, two of which are normally taken during the first year of enrollment) | 4 |
| Twenty-one credit hours of graduate-level elective coursework must be taken. Elective specialization courses can be within or outside of INFO, under the guidance of the student’s advisor and committee. Students will also take an additional 30 dissertation hours, typically after finishing their initial coursework. | 21 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
PhD Milestones
In addition to coursework, program requirements include the successful completion of the following PhD milestones: preliminary exam, comprehensive exam/dissertation proposal and dissertation.
Plan(s) of Study
Sample Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| INFO 7000 | Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Information Science | 3 |
| INFO 6201 | Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing | 3 |
| INFO 6500 | Information Science Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| INFO 6201 | Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing | 3 |
| INFO 6500 | Information Science Seminar | 1 |
| Graduate coursework supporting development of dissertation research topic | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Graduate coursework supporting development of dissertation research topic | 6 | |
| INFO 6500 | Information Science Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Graduate coursework supporting development of dissertation research topic | 6 | |
| INFO 6500 | Information Science Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Graduate coursework supporting development of dissertation research topic | 6 | |
| Complete Preliminary Examination | ||
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| INFO 8991 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| INFO 8991 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| INFO 8991 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Complete Comprehensive Examination (Defend Dissertation Proposal) | ||
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| INFO 8991 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| INFO 8991 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Submit and Defend Dissertation | ||
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to synthesize arguments through academic writing appropriate to the discipline of information science.
- Demonstrate expertise in how knowledge is communicated and the academic discourse norms employed within the information science discipline.
- Demonstrate proficiency in research methodologies employed across information science research, including qualitative, quantitative, computational and design approaches.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the core theoretical frameworks employed in information science research.
- Design and conduct high-quality original research in information science.
- Effectively communicate and present research to academic and public audiences in both written and oral form.