professor adam rule working with three students with laptops around a wood table.

Information Science major draws wide array of students with human-centered approach

Learn more

Meet 3 talented undergraduates studying Information Science

Learn more

iSci student spotlight: Melina Zarboulas

Learn more

Undergraduate Information Science Major

bucky statue at memorial union

Why major in Information Science?

  1. Increasing demand for information professionals: As the world becomes more technology and data-driven, there is a growing need for professionals who can collect, organize, and analyze information effectively.

  2. Wide range of employment opportunities: Information Science graduates can work in a variety of fields, including healthcare, government, education, finance, and more.

  3. Emphasis on technology: Our Information Science program focuses on developing skills which are in high demand in the job market.

  4. Flexibility: An Information Science major can be tailored to suit your interests and career goals, allowing you to focus in diverse areas of interest.

How to Declare Information Science

swag at ischool admitted students event on a table with a red table clothThere are no minimum grade, GPA requirements or specific courses that must be completed before declaration.

Students are encouraged to declare the major early to plan for required coursework and create a four-year plan. There are many additional advantages and benefits including priority access to LIS courses. Students who have declared the Information Science major become part of the Information School community and are able to connect with faculty, staff and peers. Declared students would also receive notice of academic and career opportunities.  

Please run a “What-If” DARS to review your progress towards the Information Science major.

L&S students fulfilling degree requirements may earn a BA or BS. Students in other UW-Madison Schools and Colleges may pursue Information Science as an additional major. Check out the Guide for more information.

BA Requirements

BS Requirements

There are TWO steps to declare the major:

FIRST – Schedule an individual advising appointment with Stacy Harnett, the Information Science advisor

Schedule an Appointment

SECOND – Complete the Information Science Major Declaration Form

Complete the Form

Undergraduate Advising

Headshot of Stacy Harnett

Stacy Harnett
she/her/hers
Academic Advising Manager
sharnett@wisc.edu
4216 Helen C. White Hall

Stacy Harnett is the undergraduate advisor for the Information Science major. Information Science advising supports you in navigating your undergraduate career. Stacy can provide guidance if you are interested in learning more about the program as well as declaring the major, major requirements, course selection, four-year planning and study abroad. In addition, Stacy can help connect you with appropriate resources on campus to support your academic and personal success.

Current UW-Madison students are welcome to schedule an appointment using Starfish. If you are unable to find a time that works with your schedule, please email Stacy so she can find a time that works.

Schedule an Appointment

Starfish Guide

Focus Areas

Designed to help you select a concentration of courses that aligns with your interests and career goals. They are not official credentials, but serve as a guide to allow for specialization.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Analytics

You will gain knowledge and skills in the evaluation, representation, manipulation, analysis and interpretation of data for the purposes of supporting decision making and making improvements to organizations and communities. The Data Science major and certificate may also be of interest.

LIS 351- Introduction to Digital Information

LIS 407- Data Storytelling with Visualization

LIS 440- Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science

LIS 461- Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy

LIS 464- Applied Database Design

LIS 501- Introduction to Text Mining

STAT 240- Data Science Modeling I

Civic Technologies

You will learn to use information and data technologies to tackle problems faced by communities and society as a whole.  Apply technology to create solutions such as improving the relationships between citizens and governments or nonprofits.  Gain skills and knowledge related to computing-based systems, and combine that knowledge with your other passions.

LIS 201- The Information Society

LIS 351- Introduction to Digital Information

LIS 464- Applied Database Design

LIS 500- Code and Power

LIS 501- Introduction to Text Mining

LIS 510- Human Factors in Information Security

CS 200- Programming I

CS 220- Data Science Programming I

Health Informatics

Data and information underlie efforts to support health and wellness. Topics covered in this coursework include understanding how consumers use information and data to make health decisions, the importance of information and data management in supporting health and wellness research, and helping design better systems for health professionals to support care.

LIS 407- Data Storytelling with Visualization

LIS 470- Interaction Design Studio

LIS 510- Human Factors in Information Security

LIS 517- Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients

JOURN/COM ARTS/LSC 617- Health Communication in the Information Age

Information, Data & Society (General Digital Citizenship)

Following this set of courses, you will explore the interaction between information, technology and society.  The coursework includes perspectives from history, philosophy, communications, gender, race and ethnic studies and information science.

COM ARTS 200- Introduction to Digital Communication

LIS 201- The Information Society

LIS 301- Information Literacies in Online Spaces

LIS 350- History and Future of Books

LIS 461- Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy

LIS 500- Code and Power

LIS 510- Human Factors in Information Security

Information Policy, Law and Ethics

This area examines the ways in which information and information technologies intersect with law, social concerns, and public policy. This includes ways in which legal rights may be expanded or infringed with information technologies and ways in which information and technologies may be subject to legal regulation. It also considers different types of moral values that affect and are affected by information technologies, such as privacy, security, speech, fairness, and democracy.

LIS 201- The Information Society

LIS 460- Surveillance, Privacy, and Police Powers

LIS 461- Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy

LIS 510- Human Factors in Information Security

LIS 645- Intellectual Freedom

LIS 663- Introduction to Cyberlaw

COM ARTS 509- Digital Media and Political Communication

User Experience Design

This set of courses will prepare you with knowledge and skills needed to develop effective, efficient and delightful user interactions with digital information systems, including data-intensive systems and data interfaces. The rise in consumer expectations for easy and efficient digital interactions with digital products, sales and services has created high demand for UX professionals across all industries.

LIS 201- The Information Society

LIS 470- Interaction Design Studio

CS 570- Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

LIS 500- Code and Power

LIS 510- Human Factors in Information Security

LIS 517- Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients

DS 120- Design: Fundamentals I

DS 341- Design Thinking for Transformation

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be prepared for today’s tech-centered job market with computing, analytical, communication and management skills. Career opportunities are endless as there is no one job category or set of industries. Below are some examples of career outcomes:

  • User Experience/Interaction Designer
  • Information Architect
  • Analyst or Consultant (Data, Product, Program, Business)
  • Database Manager
  • Product Manager/Project Manager
  • Information Governance Analyst
  • Digital Media Coordinator

See More Skills & Outcomes

Can I Double Major?

The Information Science major can be your sole major, or it can also be used to complement a wide variety of majors. The accessible and flexible design of the Information Science major makes double majors a feasible opportunity. 

Social science and humanities majors can pursue Information Science to add computer, data and information experience to their skillset. Computational/data science majors may add the Information Science major as a path to learn about ethics, policy and social impacts. 

Created in collaboration with other majors advisors, below are two sample 4-year double major plans. Please review the full curriculum for both majors in the Guide and contact advisors for questions.

Sample 4-Year Plan: Information Science and Computer Sciences

Sample 4-Year Plan: Information Science and Data Science

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program.

Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.