We live in an increasingly complex world with vast amounts of information created every day.
Information scientists are vital to the capture, processing and communication of this information to help people and organisations operate effectively.
What is Information Science?
Information Science sits at the intersection of technology, people and organisations. It is a broad discipline that combines solid technical foundations with an understanding of the ways in which organisations use information.
Information scientists analyse, develop, integrate, test and evaluate information systems. They also gather, prepare, model and interpret data to support informed decision- making in organisations. Information systems are omnipresent – every organisation depends on usable and reliable information systems.
Information Science is an exciting and rapidly changing discipline – it requires strong foundations and a life-long approach to learning.
Career opportunities
People with Information Science skills are in high demand because of the vital role that information and information systems play in modern organisations. There are many and varied career opportunities in fields such as business management and analytics, science and data science, education, research, finance, health, manufacturing and automation, media production and user experience technology, music and entertainment, and engineering.
Background required
There are no formal prerequisites for studying Information Science. You do not need to have studied digital technologies at school. However, it is advantageous if you are interested in and have taken background subjects in Digital Technology, Science, Mathematics, Accounting or English.
What subjects go well with Information Science?
The concepts taught in Information Science are an excellent complement to other subjects, preparing you for the modern work done in these disciplines. Examples of well- suited subjects include: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Law, Psychology, Mathematics and any of the natural or applied sciences.
The first year
The Information Science programme is available in the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degrees.
During the first year of your Information Science degree you will study COMP 101 and one of COMP 161 or 162:
COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems
In this course, you will learn about the fundamentals of our information and computer science disciplines, which include topics like computability, data analysis, information storage and processing, and database management techniques. There are no prerequisites for this course, but a basic mathematical understanding will be needed – you might want to consider MATH 151 before or alongside COMP 101.
COMP 161 Computer Programming
An introduction to computer programming suitable for beginners with little or no prior experience. Introduces the Java programming language, basic object oriented concepts and simple graphical applications.
COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science
An introduction to computer programming suitable for beginners with some prior experience. Builds on and extends basic Java and object oriented programming. Introduces broader programming concepts and other languages.
(Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test.)
Teaching style
Your classes will consist of lectures, tutorials and practical laboratories. In the third year you will work on a team project with an industry partner. We have award-winning teaching staff who are recognised experts in their fields and who are considering technological, ethical, professional, societal and behavioural factors of our discipline.
Information systems are complex in terms of scale and changing dynamics, so our teaching focuses on practical skills and complex problem solving usually found in real-world tasks. Through practical lab work, our teaching will prepare you for the ever-changing world of Information and Communication Technology.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (BCom(Hons))
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Informatics (PGDipHealInf)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Commerce (MCom)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Information Science
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems COMP 161 Computer Programming or COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. | 18 18 |
| 200-level | INFO 201 Developing Information Systems 1 INFO 202 Developing Information Systems 2 INFO 203 Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience INFO 204 Introduction to Data Science | 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | INFO 301 Applied Project INFO 302 Information Systems Strategy and Governance Two further 300-level INFO papers Note: INFO 310 is the prerequisite for INFO 301. | 18 18 36 |
| Plus | 180 further points (it is recommended that BSNS 112 or STAT 110 be included); must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites for 2018: Prerequisites from 2019: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Note: May include INFO 490 Dissertation, but not required |
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Information Science
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Information Science or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Information Science must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Information Science prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) majoring in Information Science
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundation of Information Systems COMP 161 Computer Programming or COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science BSNS 111 Business and Society, BSNS 112 Interpreting Business Data, BSNS 113 Economic Principles and Policy, BSNS 114 Financial Decision Making, BSNS 115 Accounting and Information Systems – must normally be taken in first year of study. Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. | 18 18 90 |
| 200-level | INFO 201 Developing Information Systems 1 INFO 202 Developing Information Systems 2 INFO 203 Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience INFO 204 Introduction to Data Science | 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | INFO 301 Applied Project INFO 302 Information Systems Strategy and Governance Two further 300-level INFO papers Note: INFO 310 is the prerequisite for INFO 301. | 18 18 36 |
| Plus | 90 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. May be taken from outside Commerce. | 90 |
Every programme must include BSNS 111-115. At least three of these papers must be passed before enrolling in any 200-level Commerce paper, and all must normally be passed before enrolling in any 300-level Commerce paper. For single-degree BCom students, all five must be attempted in the first year of study or equivalent. STAT 110 or STAT 115 will be accepted as an alternative to BSNS 112 as a required paper or as part of the major subject requirements or as a prerequisite when: | ||
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (BCom(Hons)) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites for 2017 or 2018: Prerequisites from 2019: No new enrolments will be accepted for this subject for 2024. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Note: may include INFO 490 Dissertation, but not required |
Master of Commerce (MCom) in Information Science
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: The MCom in Information Science can be pursued by a combination of papers and thesis, or by thesis only. Students who have a good Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) will complete the MCom by papers and thesis (at least two years' full-time study). The first year consists of a selection of papers worth 144 points, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom). Students who have a good Honours degree or a PGDipCom (or equivalent qualification) can complete an MCom by thesis only (minimum one year). |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Information Science
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems COMP 161 Computer Programming or COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. | 18 18 |
| 200-level | INFO 201 Developing Information Systems 1 INFO 202 Developing Information Systems 2 INFO 203 Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience INFO 204 Introduction to Data Science | 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | INFO 301 Applied Project INFO 302 Information Systems Strategy and Governance Two further 300-level INFO papers Note: INFO 310 is the prerequisite for INFO 301. | 18 18 36 |
| Plus | 180 further points (it is recommended that BSNS 112 or STAT 110 be included); must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites for 2017 or 2018: Prerequisites from 2019: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Information Science
| Papers |
|---|
Note: May include INFO 490 Dissertation, but not required |
Master of Science (MSc) in Information Science
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Information Science as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems One further 100-level COMP paper | 18 18 |
| 200-level | Any two 200-level papers from INFO or COMP | 36 |
| 300-level | Any 300-level INFO paper or SENG 301 Software Project Management From 2018 the 300-level requirements will be: Any 300-level INFO paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INFO130 | 2023 | Fundamentals and practice of spreadsheets | 18 points | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period |
| INFO201 | 2023 | Developing Information Systems 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO202 | 2023 | Developing Information Systems 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO203 | 2023 | Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO204 | 2023 | Introduction to Data Science | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO250 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| INFO301 | 2023 | Applied Project | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO302 | 2023 | Information Systems Strategy and Governance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO303 | 2023 | Enterprise Information Systems Infrastructure | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO304 | 2023 | Advanced Data Science | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO305 | 2023 | Advanced Human-Computer Interaction and Interactive Systems | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO310 | 2023 | Software Project Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO350 | 2023 | Topics in Information Science | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| INFO351 | 2023 | Special Topic: Virtual and Augmented Reality | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO352 | 2023 | Special Topic: Pervasive Game Development | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO353 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| INFO390 | 2023 | Research Topics | 18 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| INFO407 | 2023 | Agent-based Software Technologies | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO408 | 2023 | Management of Large-Scale Data | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO410 | 2023 | Interactive and Immersive Systems | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO411 | 2023 | Machine Learning and Data Mining | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO420 | 2023 | Statistical Techniques for Data Science | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| INFO424 | 2023 | Adaptive Business Intelligence | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| INFO451 | 2023 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| INFO452 | 2023 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| INFO470 | 2023 | Advanced Topics in Information Science | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| INFO490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| INFO501 | 2023 | Applied Project | 40 points | 1st Non standard period |
| INFO580 | 2023 | Research Project | 40 points | 1st Non standard period |
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Key information for future students
Contact us
Department of Information Science
Otago Business School
Email infoscience@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/informationscience
