University of Pittsburgh

Dec 17, 2024

2017-2018 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Department of Information Science and Technology

Information Science and Technology
Library and Information Science Program
Telecommunications and Networking

Information Science and Technology

The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) offers a Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) and a PhD in Information Science. In addition, the iSchool offers Certificates of Advanced Study in Information Science to post-bachelor’s and post-master’s level students who wish to continue their education. Students may also pursue a joint degree between the iSchool and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Research Focus

Members of the faculty are active researchers with funding from governmental and/or corporate sources. Both master’s and doctoral students have an opportunity to work with faculty on research projects, and doctoral students conduct independent research for their dissertations. Some major areas of research interest are systems analysis and design, information retrieval, database and networking, human-centered computing, social computing, intelligent systems, geoinformatics security assured information systems, big data analytics, and cognitive science.

Contact Information

Information Science Program
School of Information Sciences
135 North Bellefield Avenue
412-624-3988 or 800-672-9435
Fax: 412-624-5231
E-mail: isinq@sis.pitt.edu
www.ischool.pitt.edu/ist

The MSIS Degree

Connecting people, information, and technology is the mission of the School of Information Sciences. The Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) degree builds on that mission by preparing students for careers as information professionals, including systems analysts and designers, database developers and managers, information security experts, and more. This 36-credit program can be completed in three semesters (depending upon course schedules) of full-time study or as many as four years of part-time study. For more details about this program, please visit www.ischool.pitt.edu/ist/degrees/msis-program.php.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum has been designed to provide our students with a rigorous program that is also flexible, so that the specific needs of individual students can be met. The MSIS Program offers several options to carefully target your studies. For those not ready to specialize, the School allows you to design a course of study under the direction of your advisor that meets your individual needs, while conforming to the general distribution guidelines found in the MSIS Plan of Study. For plans of study and program requirements, visit the SIS Intranet. Many students use this option to sample multiple areas of the curriculum, such as cognitive systems, human-centered computing, systems design and implementation, networks and security, and database management. The program has developed a series of specializations, in consultation with industry, that ensure that students have the critical expertise in specific areas in high demand by employers. Specializations are described here.

Admissions

http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/ist/degrees/msis-admissions.php

Applicants for graduate study must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. The program seeks students with diverse interests and abilities; an undergraduate computer science major is not a prerequisite. Although many successful students have entered the program with a background in mathematics, engineering, or computer science, many other outstanding students entered with undergraduate degrees in business, music, history, philosophy, or chemistry.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for admission to the Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) program include one 3-credit college course in each of the following:

A structured programming language
Statistics
Mathematics-discrete mathematics or calculus

Students who lack some of the prerequisite courses may be admitted provisionally pending completion of the prerequisites during the first 12 credits of study. Any coursework that the student is asked to meet as a condition of their admission must be completed with a grade of B or better.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

All Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) applicants are required to submit a recent score (within three years of the date of application) on the Graduate Record Examination as part of their admission credentials. Scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the General Section should be submitted. While submission of the GRE scores are preferred, a recent and strong performance on the GMAT will be accepted in lieu of taking the GRE exam. The University code for the GRE is 2927. The program code is 0404.

International Applicants

There are different documentation requirements for international students. They are described here.

English Language Proficiency

Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English in order to study, to understand lectures, and to participate successfully in class discussion without being hindered by language. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken if the applicant’s native language is not English. The institution code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and the department code is 90.

A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), or 80 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL is required for admission to graduate study in this program. The requirement to take the TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has received a degree from an accredited institution in the United States.

Prior to registration, students with TOEFL scores less than 600 (paper) or 100 (Internet-based) will be given the on-campus administered English Language Proficiency Test. If remedial courses in English as a second language are recommended as an outcome of the test, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study.

Students may choose to take the International English Language Testing System exam (IELTS) in place of the TOEFL. Students must receive a score of Band 6.5. Students who do not achieve a score of Band 7.0 score or better will be given the on-campus administered English Language Proficiency Test. If remedial courses in English as a second language are recommended as an outcome of the test, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study. Other admission requirements vary depending upon the chosen program.

Application Fee

Submission of an application fee as determined by the School of Information Sciences is required of al applicants. . This fee is non-refundable.

Deadlines

Admissions occur on a rolling basis throughout the year. See the iSchool’s Web site for Application Deadlines.

School-Based Financial Assistance

The Graduate Information Science and Technology Program awards School-based financial support on the basis of qualification to full-time graduate students with full admission status (all prerequisites completed). Please visit www.ischool.pitt.edu/ist/degrees/financial-aid.php for the most current information.

Academic Advising

Each student is assigned an academic advisor at the time of admission to graduate study. These assignments are made primarily on the basis of the student’s background and interests as shown in the application. The student may at any time elect to change advisors-any such change requires the consent of the new advisor and must be reported to the program. Forms for changing advisors are available at the school’s administrative offices, Fifth Floor, IS Building.

At the time of initial registration, the student is encouraged to fill out a Plan of Study and discuss it with their advisor. The Plan of Study forms are available here. A Plan of Study is a series of courses designed to meet the minimum exit competencies judged by the faculty to be necessary for employment as an information professional. All Plans of Study must have the approval of the advisor and will be used to ensure that the student has met all requirements for graduation.

Statute of Limitations

The master’s degree must be completed within four years of the first term in which courses were taken after admission. The normal full-time course load is 9 to 12 credits per term; thus, a fulltime student will complete the program in three or four terms. The normal part-time course load is 6 credits per term, which permits the part-time student to complete the program in six terms. The faculty, in response to a student petition, may approve exceptions to the four-year limit if extenuating circumstances exist.

Registration and Residence Requirements

To maintain active student status, students must register for at least 3 credits during one of the three terms of the calendar year. It is recommended, however, that part-time students register for at least 6 credits during two of the three terms of the academic year to maintain reasonable progress through the program. In addition, international students are responsible for meeting the registration requirements dictated by their visa.

The PhD in Information Science Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy degree provides research-oriented graduate study and professional specialization in the science of information. The candidate must give evidence of superior scholarship, mastery of a specialized field of knowledge, and demonstration of ability to do significant and relevant research. Students interested in the PhD degree should consult this Web site.

The candidate for the PhD program should also have a broad knowledge of the field as a profession as well as a specialization in an area of major interest. Every candidate should possess a strong background in the foundations of information science and research methodologies.

The advisor and student should design a Plan of Study at the time of registration.

The iSchool also offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Information Science with a focus in Telecommunications. For plans of study and program requirements, visit the SIS Intranet.

Residence Requirement

Full-time residency, in addition to requiring full-time study, affords the student the opportunity for daily professional interaction with faculty and other PhD students. This interaction is a major component in the student’s preparation for research. Despite the benefits that full-time residency affords, it is recognized that students may have off-campus responsibilities as well.

The PhD degree, therefore, can be completed by a combination of full-time and part-time study. Two terms of full-time study are required. Full-time is defined as nine or more graduate credits per term. All students, whether on campus or away, must maintain active status by registering according to the requirements stated below. No matter their status, they must meet with their advisor at least once per year. Students will submit an annual progress report to the PhD Program Chair, the Program Secretary and the advisor. This will take place on the second Friday of January.

Registration Requirement

Students must register each term for the number of credits of course work, independent study, or research equivalent to the anticipated use of faculty time and University facilities. A student who has not registered for a least one credit during a 12-month period will be transferred automatically to inactive status and must file an application for readmission to graduate study (and pay the application fee) before being permitted to register again. Upon readmission, the student is required to adjust the program of studies to meet current PhD program, school, and University requirements.

In keeping with University policy, all graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 1 credit in the term in which they graduate.

Doctoral students who have completed all credit requirements for the PhD degree, including minimum dissertation credit requirements, and are working full time on their dissertation, are encouraged to register for “Full-time Dissertation Study,” with a fixed fee registration per term, currently $500 plus fees. (Enrollment in this course fulfills the University requirements for registration in the term of graduation.)

Please note that international students may be required to register for credits beyond the minimums stated above, as they are also responsible for meeting the registration requirements dictated by their immigration visa.

PhD Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the PhD degree in IS must be completed in not more than six calendar years from the time of first registration. Students may in extenuating circumstances submit a formal request for extension of their statute of limitation or for a leave of absence from the program. The request must be submitted to the advisor and then presented to the Faculty Committee on Doctoral Studies for a decision.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the PhD program are required to have earned a master’s degree from an accredited university and should have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for any graduate studies they have pursued.

Students must submit at least three references from persons in the professional and academic communities. The PhD Admissions Committee may, on occasion, require additional references.

Applications will not be considered without the submission of the iSchool’s application fee.

As evidence of their ability to undertake doctoral work students must submit an essay (not to exceed 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s academic and professional goals in relation to the Information Science and Technology doctoral program, and identify potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research. This essay is a critical component of the admissions process, and will be used in assigning the student’s initial program advisor.

PhD applicants must either have or demonstrate the following prerequisite knowledge. These courses( or their equivalents) should be taken before seeking admission, but may be taken during the first four terms of study. All courses must be at the graduate level and may have been taken while pursing another graduate degree:

Statistics or Discrete Math (e.g., IS 2060 Statistics or IS 2020 Mathematical Foundations)
Cognitive Psychology (e.g., IS 2300 Human Info Processing or IS 2350 Human Factors)
Systems Analysis and Design (e.g., IS 2510 Information Systems)
Data Structures (e.g., IS 2500 Data Structures)
Database Management (e.g., IS 2710 Database Management)

All applicants must submit scores from a predictor test (if not taken previously) such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or equivalent examination. Scores on all three sections (verbal, qualitative, and analytical) of the GRE must be submitted.

International Applicants

There are different documentation requirements for international students. They are described here.

English Language Proficiency

Application Fee

Submission of an application fee as determined by the School of Information Sciences is required of all applicants. This fee is non-refundable.

Library and Information Science Program

The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) offers a Library of Information Science (LIS) program, which consists of the Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science degree, as well as certification programs for school library media specialists. Students enrolled in LIS programs, under the mentorship of the program faculty, prepare for careers in the information professions as digital content managers, librarians, archivists, records managers, college and university faculty members, supervisors in diverse information centers, and as information specialists.

The MLIS degree, which requires completion of 36 credits of course work is offered both on campus and through the MLIS: Pitt Online Program, which is a fully online program accredited by the American Library Association that can be completed in six terms of study.

The core curriculum (12 credits) is enriched by advanced courses in management, technology, resources and services for specific patron groups, and organization of information. Upon award of the MLIS degree, graduates are prepared to make contributions to the profession at the local, national, and international levels. On-campus students may target their career goals by enrolling in one of our top-ranked specializations.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science degree prepares students for advanced work in research, teaching, and administration. The program will give students the opportunity to gain skills in teaching or research appropriate for careers at major research universities, teaching institutions, and library systems.

Beyond curricular offerings, educational experiences available to students in the program include colloquiums, practical experience in professional settings, participation in national conferences, and attendance at professional association meetings.

Research Focus

Members of the LIS faculty are active researchers, with records of funding from governmental agencies and private sources. While both master’s and doctoral students have opportunities to work with faculty on research projects, doctoral students are most involved in the research process.

Some areas of research interest include (but are not limited to) archives, health resource, children’s information, digital libraries, interactive information retrieval, library management, organization of information, cyberscholarship, social information tools, science and technology studies, digital humanities, and school library media center management.

Contact Information

Library and Information Science Program
School of Information Sciences
135 North Bellefield Avenue
412-624-3988
Fax: 412-628-5231
E-mail: lising@is.pitt.edu
www.ischool.pitt.edu/lis

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) Degree

The role of information professionals has changed dramatically as the volume of available information has increased and technology for information search and retrieval has advanced. The ability to manage the growing array of information tools has led to new opportunities for those who want to work in the information field, which is a discipline that bridges the management of both traditional and emerging information sources. The MLIS program is responsive to the information marketplace and encourages the development of creativity, professionalism, and a proactive attitude to the needs of various clienteles in traditional and digital information service environments.

The program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. The MLIS Program is ranked tenth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and many of its specializations are also highly ranked.

Admissions

The Library and Information Science Program seeks students with diverse educational and career backgrounds. Applicants for graduate study must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. Submission of scores from a standardized predictor test is required for admission to the MLIS program. Applicants with post-bachelor’s advanced degrees are exempt from this requirement. Students who have not worked in libraries may elect to do a 3 credit Field Experience.

A maximum of 6 credits earned with a grade of B or better may be transferred toward either the master’s or PhD degree from institutions fully accredited for graduate study, provided that these credits have not been applied to any other degree or certificate, that they are applicable to the students’ program of study, and that they are not older than the statute of limitations for the degree.

International Applicants

There are different documentation requirements for international students. These are explained here.

English Language Proficiency

Application Fee

All applicants are required to submit an application fee as determined by the School of Information Science. This fee is non-refundable.

School-based Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available at www.ischool.pitt.edu/admissions/financial-aid.php.

Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science (PhD) Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science degree prepares students for advanced work in research, teaching, and administration. The primary purpose of this 54-creditdegree is to develop an understanding of library and information science beyond the master’s degree, with particular emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production of significant and generalizable research findings, and the contribution of such findings to public knowledge.

The advisor selected by the student for the period prior to the dissertation stage of the program is the program advisor; before the dissertation proposal is prepared, the student should select a dissertation advisor. The program advisor and the dissertation advisor may be the same person, but the student has the option to select a different advisor for the dissertation. The advisor must be a member of the graduate faculty in the Library and Information Science Program who is able to spend the time and effort necessary for the advising role, be available for examinations, and with whom a productive and comfortable working relationship can be established.

For complete information on the PhD program, consult Statement of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/lis/degrees/phd.php.

PhD Admission Requirements

The following are requirements for admission to the program:

A master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association, a recognized international program, or the equivalent in a closely related field of study.
Attainment in graduate work of a minimum grade point average of 3.50 (on a scale where A=4.00). An international student’s grade point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.
Submission of scores from a predictor test, such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAST, LSAT or MAT, taken within the last three years. Institutional/program codes may be found here
At least three references from persons in the professional and academic communities.
An interview may be required

As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, the student’s application must be accompanied by:

An essay (not exceeding 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s academic and professional goals in relation to the Library and Information Science doctoral program and identifying potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research.
A complete curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, work, publication, and other professional activities.
At least one example of scholarly research or professional writing in any format (print or electronic). The student should describe fully any published or unpublished research, thesis, contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment of capacity to pursue doctoral study successfully.
If the candidate has had appropriate professional work experience, a brief description should be provided.

Credentials of prospective students are reviewed by the Admissions and Review Committee and voted upon by the LIS Committee on Doctoral Studies throughout the year. However, students who are applying for financial aid should be aware that they must be admitted and meet financial aid deadlines to ensure consideration for funding. PhD students may begin their studies only in the fall term in order to ensure a coherent program of study.

International Applicants

There are different documentation requirements for international students. These are explained here.

English Language Proficiency

Proficiency program: Students may choose to take the International English Language Testing System exam (ELTS) in place of the TOEFL. Students should receive a minimum result of Band 7.0 on the IELTS.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed in not more than six calendar years from the time of first registration. Students may, in extenuating circumstances, submit a formal request for extension of their statute of limitations or for a leave of absence from the program.

PhD Research Areas

http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/lis/degrees/phd.php

Telecommunications and Networking

The School of Information Sciences offers a Master’s degree, Certificate of Advanced Study in Telecommunications and a PhD degree in Information Sciences with a focus in Telecommunications. This program prepares students for careers in a variety of arenas including industry, business, government, health care, education, and the nonprofit sector in positions such as network engineers or analysts, network administrators or managers, consultants, systems engineers, and research and development engineers (with appropriate undergraduate education).

Research Focus

Members of the faculty are active researchers with funding from governmental and/or corporate sources. Both master’s and doctoral students have an opportunity to work with faculty on research projects, and doctoral students conduct independent research for their dissertations. Faculty members and students conduct research on a wide variety of topics including (but not limited to) wireless networks and security, network design and survivability, computer networks, network policy, and economics of the telecommunications industry.

Contact Information

Telecommunications Program
School of Information Sciences
135 North Bellefield Avenue
412-624-3988 or 800-672-9435
Fax: 412-624-5231
E-mail: teleinq@sis.pitt.edu
www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele

Master of Science in Telecommunications Degree Program

The Telecommunications and Networking program offers hands-on learning opportunities in telecommunications systems, computer networks, policy and management, wireless systems, and network security so that you will find a rewarding career in industry, government, education or the nonprofit sector. The MST program is a 37-credit program that can be completed in one year of full-time study or as many as four years of part-time study.

For complete program details, visit www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele/degrees/mst-program.php

Admissions

http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele/degrees/mst-admissions.php

To qualify for admission, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited college or university. Preference will be given to candidates with a scholastic average B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better.

All MST applicants are required to submit a recent score (within three years of the date of application) on the Graduate Record Examination as part of their admission credentials. Scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the General Section should be submitted.

While submission of the GRE scores are preferred, a recent and strong performance on the GMAT will be accepted in lieu of taking the GRE exam. The institutional number for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and the department code is 0404.

The student must have completed the following course work (at the undergraduate or graduate level), with a grade of B or better, prior to admission to the MST program:

Computer programming skill in at least one scientific programming language
Probability (a 3-credit course)
Calculus (a 3-credit course).

The following courses (or their equivalent), while not counting towards the 37-credit degree, may be required depending upon previous educational background:

Introduction to Telecommunications (TELCOM 2000 )
Physical Layer of Communications I (TELCOM 2200 )
Software Tools and Techniques (TELCOM 2300 )

English Language Proficiency

Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to study without being hindered by language problems, to understand lectures, and to participate successfully in class discussion. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken if the applicant’s native language is not English. The institution code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and the department code is 90.

A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 80 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL is required for admission to graduate study in this program. The requirement to take the TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has received a degree from an accredited institution in the United States.

Prior to registration, students with TOEFL scores less than 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internetbased) will be given the on-campus administered English Language Proficiency Test (The Michigan Test) . If remedial courses in English as a second language are recommended as an outcome of the Michigan Test of English Proficiency, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study.

Students may choose to take the International English Language Testing System exam (IELTS) in place of the TOEFL. Students must receive a score of Band 6.5. Students who do not achieve a score of Band 7.0 or better will be given the on-campus administered English Language Proficiency Test. If remedial courses in English as a second language are recommended as an outcome of the Michigan Test of English Proficiency, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study.

Academic Advising

In consultation with the advisor, the student must complete a Plan of Study at the time of registration. For plans of study and program requirements, visit the SIS Intranet. A Plan of Studies is a series of courses designed to meet the minimum exit competencies judged by the faculty to be necessary for employment as an information professional. All Plans of Study must have the approval of the advisor and will be used to ensure that the student has met all requirements for graduation.

Statute of Limitations

The Master’s Degree program must be completed within four years of the first term in which courses were taken after admission. The normal full-time course load is 9 to 12 credits per term; thus, a full-time student will complete the program in three or four terms. The normal part-time course load is 6 credits per term, which permits the part-time students to complete the program in six terms. The faculty, in response to a student petition, may approve exceptions to the four-year limit if extenuating circumstances exist.

Registration and Residence Requirements

To maintain active student status, students must register for at least 1 credit during one of the three terms of the calendar year. It is recommended, however, that part-time students register for at least 6 credits during two of the three terms of the academic year to maintain reasonable progress through the program.

The PhD in Information Science with a Focus in Telecommunications

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program provides research-oriented graduate study and professional specialization in telecommunications. The candidate must give evidence of superior scholarship, mastery of a specialized field of knowledge, and demonstration of ability to do significant and relevant research. Students interested in the PhD degree should consult the Web site, www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele/degrees/phd.php.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the PhD program with a focus in Telecommunications must:

Hold a master’s degree from an accredited university, a recognized international program, or the equivalent.
Have maintained in graduate work of a minimum grade point average of 3.3 (on a scale with A having a value of 4 points per credit). An international student’s grade point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.
Submit scores from a predictor test (if not taken previously) such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or equivalent examination. Scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the GRE must be submitted.
Provide evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, in an essay (not exceeding 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s academic and professional goals in relation to the Telecommunications doctoral program and identifying potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research.
Provide at least three references from persons in the profession and academic communities.
Have successfully completed:
- Two different scientific computer programming language classes
- Coursework in probability and statistics
- Differential and integral calculus classes

Statute of Limitations

Journal Requirement

All PhD students are mandatorily required to submit an article of publishable quality to a journal before the degree is awarded.

PhD Research Areas

http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele/degrees/phd-advising.php

Programs

Doctoral

Master’s

Certificate

Courses

Computer Science

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