Undergraduate Catalog

2008-09 Academic Year

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Department of Library and Information Sciences

Main Office
Discovery Park, Room E292
Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #311068
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2445 or 877-ASK-SLIS
Fax: 940-565-3101
TDD access: 800-735-2989
E-mail: slis@unt.edu

Web site: www.unt.edu/slis

Maurice Wheeler, Interim Chair

Faculty

Professors Cleveland, O’Connor, Stein Martin, Totten, Turner. Associate Professors Chandler, Figa, Moen, Oyarce, Ruiz, Schamber, Simpson, Wheeler. Assistant Professors Chen, Du, Miksa, Schultz-Jones. Lecturer Enoch.

Introduction

The Department of Library and Information Sciences (formerly the School of Library and Information Sciences) prepares graduates for significant roles in the information age. The department offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, the Master of Science, the post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Study, the Doctor of Philosophy and graduate-level certification in school librarianship.

The bachelor’s degree, emphasizing general educational preparation, represents a first step in preparing students for careers as information professionals. By combining a major in information science with an area of special interest in the context of new information technologies, students may be qualified for a variety of positions in information centers, bibliographic utilities and networks, information industry companies, and specialized publishing, abstracting and indexing services.

Students intent upon careers as information professionals should be prepared to undertake an additional year of study to earn the master’s degree. The master’s degree is recognized as the basic professional degree and is normally required for professional positions and continuing advancement in the field. The master’s degree may be completed on a part-time basis, during which students may be employed in paraprofessional or other positions.

Academic Advising

Advising on courses, programs and related questions is available through the department office, Discovery Park, Room E292; 940-565-2445; slis@unt.edu. All students must contact the department for advising clearance before registering for classes. All students should have an approved degree audit on file as early as possible, but not later than the beginning of the final 60 hours of courses. Calls and visits by prospective students also are welcomed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Programs of Study

The department offers the following degrees:

Bachelor of Science with a major in information science;
Master of Science with majors in information science and library science; and
Doctor of Philosophy with a major in information science.

Students interested in a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree with an occupational specialization in either legal information management or health information management should see the College of Public Affairs and Community Service section in this catalog. For graduate study, consult the Graduate Catalog.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Information Science

The bachelor’s degree program requires a major in the Department of Library and Information Sciences and a minor in another field. Students must meet all general requirements for admission to undergraduate study as stated in the Admission section of this catalog. To enroll for more than 6 hours of courses in the school, students must

a. have at least sophomore standing and

b. have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. At least junior standing is required to enroll for more than 12 hours in the school.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science with a major in information science must meet the following requirements:

1. Hours for the Degree: A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced

2. General University Requirements: See “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog.

3. University Core Curriculum: See “University Core Curriculum Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog.

4. Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements: See additional requirements specified for the Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.

5. Major Requirements: Major of at least 24 hours, including 9 hours of required courses (SLIS 4000, 4200 and 4600, or the equivalents) and at least 15 additional hours selected with approval of the department.

6. Minor: Minor of at least 18 hours, including at least 6 advanced hours, in an approved field outside the department.

7. Electives: 33 hours.

8. Other Requirements: A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required on all courses counted toward the major.

Graduate Study

The Department of Library and Information Sciences offers master’s and doctoral degrees in a number of specialization areas, a school library certification program, a post-master’s certificate of advanced study, and graduate academic certificates. Qualified undergraduate students may be admitted to graduate study during their final undergraduate term/semester to take graduate credit courses not required to complete a bachelor’s degree. For information on graduate study, consult the Graduate Catalog.

Courses of Instruction

All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.

Course and Subject Guide

The “Course and Subject Guide,” found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.

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