The Master of Science in Information Science program explores the junction of information, networks, and human behavior. We provide students with the skills and knowledge to model and design systems that are accountable, resilient, trustworthy, sustainable, and ethical. Our graduates design, build, manage, and protect the systems and networks that make information useful and accessible. They enjoy the limitless potential for exciting careers in virtually every industry—health care, finance, law, manufacturing, government, higher education, and more.
Degree Requirements
Required Core Courses
All MSIS students are required to take the following five courses.
- INFSCI 2150 - INFORMATION SECURITY AND PRIVACY
- INFSCI 2300 - HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING
- INFSCI 2591 - ALGORITHM DESIGN
- INFSCI 2710 - DATABASE MANAGEMENT
- TELCOM 2310 - APPLICATIONS OF NETWORKS
Elective Courses
Students will take seven courses from the department’s standard graduate course offerings.
As a part of the elective courses, students may also pursue up to 6 credits of other opportunities (e.g., independent study and practicum experiences) and some that fall outside of the department’s standard graduate course offerings such as the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education cross-registration, doctoral seminars, courses offered in other Pitt graduate departments, or undergraduate upper-level coursework in information science or computer science (1100-1999). These opportunities may not exceed six credits and require advisor approval prior to enrollment.
If no Area of Concentration is selected, students will follow the curriculum outlined in the following sections.
Areas of Concentration
The MSIS Degree Programs offer a number of Areas of Concentration, which are closely tied to career paths and academic areas of interest: General, Big Data Analytics, Database and Web Systems, Geoinformatics, Human Centered Computing, Security Assured Information Systems, and Telecommunications and Distributed Systems.
Requirements for the various areas of concentration are linked below:
- Big Data Analytics
- Database and Web Systems
- Geoinformatics
- Human-centered Computing
- Information Security
- Telecommunications and Distributed Systems
Note that students are NOT required to select an Area of Concentration; however, if an Area of Concentration is chosen, students will follow a more stringent plan of study specific to the chosen Area of Concentration. Some Areas of Concentration have additional prerequisites. Therefore, students may need to complete courses beyond the standard 36-credit requirement.
Areas of Concentration may be selected, or changed, until the end of the term in which 18 credits will be completed.