Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

The Master of Science in Information Architecture requires 24 credit hours in addition to the IAKM core: • Four (4) courses (12 credit hours) in the Information Architecture core. • Four (4) courses (12 credit hours) of electives in the Information Architecture concentration. One of the electives may be taken from one of the other concentrations. • At least 3 credit hours in a Thesis or Master's Project.

To view the description for each course listed, mouse-over the course number or title.

Information Architecture Core (required for majors)

IAKM 60101 Information Architecture I
- An overview of the concepts and practices of information architecture (IA), providing students the opportunity to develop practical skills related to information architecture. IA seeks to minimize the limitations on an organization's ability to provide information and communication within and among organizations, clients, suppliers, etc. through the creation of “information spaces.”
IAKM 60102 Information and Visual Design
- Examines the influence of digital technologies on the structure and presentation of information. Provides a cultural and technological context for understanding the information design process. Introduces practical design principles for digital media.
IAKM 60103 Research Methods for Information Architecture
- Quantitative and qualitative methods for information architecture; information needs and modeling for information systems; user experience research techniques: recruiting, interviewing, focus groups, user profiles, contextual inquiry, field studies; proposal development and presentation of results.
IAKM 60201 Usability I
- This course will provide a conceptual and practical overview of the processes and methods of usability testing, such as Think Aloud protocols, performance measurements, and eye-tracking analysis. Actual usability testing will be performed, using quantitative and qualitative methods and employing current and emerging software tools to facilitate data collection and analysis.

Select four (4) of the following from the Information Architecture Electives:

IAKM 60110 Content Management Systems
- This course provides an overview of the concepts and practices of Content Management (CM) and Content Management Systems (CMS), including understanding the parts and branches of a CMS, criteria for selecting a CMS, CMS configuration, and evaluating and implementing CMS software.
IAKM 60111 Online Branding
- This course will focus on the strategies needed to advance brands through effective online experiences including web sites, intranets, extranets and emerging web technologies. Students will also learn how to extend the brand through personalization, localization and other segmentation techniques.
IAKM 60112 Advanced Information Architecture
- Web site design from emerging directions, such as the separation of content from presentation, with e.g., the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting web-based documents. The course includes considerations of making web sites compliant with federal regulations or other standards and validation for various markup guidelines.
IAKM 60203 User and Task Analysis for Interface Design
- In order to design and develop effective user interfaces, task analysis process and theory are explored and applied via principles drawn from anthropology, ethnography, cognitive psychology, document and instructional systems design and market research. Practical techniques and methodologies are presented to improve interface design through all phases of the design process.
IAKM 60691 Seminar: (variable course titles)
- Advanced research by small groups of students who are qualified to examine problems of certain special areas in information architecture.
IAKM 60692 Practicum
- Supervised work experience in information architecture of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours with directed readings and preparation of a paper. May not be repeated. IP permissible.
IAKM 60792 Internship
- Supervised work experience of an advanced professional nature that concentrates on developing skills in Information Architecture. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Director's Approval.
IAKM 61095 Topics: (variable course titles)
- Offered irregularly as resources and/or opportunities permit. Topics could include current or emerging issues in information architecture, information usability or knowledge management. Specific topics can be found here.
IAKM 61096 Individual Investigation
- Research or individual investigation for master's level graduate students. Maximum credit per registration: 3 hours. Maximum credit towards master's degree: 6 hours. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Permission.

BAD 60095 Topics: Tech Supporting Internet Systems
- A specific offering of the Business Administration Special Topics course. For more information, contact the IAKM office.
BAD 64007 Information Technology
- Overview of database and advanced information processing technologies and their integration. Emphasis is placed on the use application to the manufacturing and service industries.
BAD 64011 Systems Simulation
- Techniques and applications of computer simulation of existing or proposed real-world systems. Use of simulation language, simulations studies, analysis of interpretation of result.
BAD 64042 Management Information Systems
- Theory, development, application and management of information systems and their impact on people and organizations; emphasis on strategy, ethics and competitive advantage of modern technology.
BAD 64045 System Development Methodologies
- Critical comparative analysis of various technological and organizational methods for design, construction, and maintenance of information systems. Survey of contemporary technologies and extrapolation to possible futures.
BAD 64046 Seminar in Computer-Supported Collaborative Work
- Technical and management considerations of collaborative work technology, including networking topics such as group-ware, group decision support systems, telework, local area networking, internet and network reference.
BAD 64080 Emerging Hardware and Software Technologies
- Investigation of selected emerging hardware and software technologies such as parallel processing systems, computer languages and operation systems, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and chaos theory.
BAD 64081 Data Communications and Networking in Business
- An introduction to telecommunications and computer networks. Topics include telecommunications technologies and services, communication standards and protocols, local area networks, and network management.
BAD 64082 Database Management Systems
- In-depth investigation of intelligent database management systems in support of business decision making. An understanding of relation databases is assumed. Object-oriented and semantic databases will be explored.
BAD 64083 Information Security
- Introduction to the information security areas that managers must understand in order to deal with today’s security threat-laden environment. The emphasis is on the important principles and concepts that managers utilize to develop effective security risk management programs. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.B.A. program or admission to the M.S. program in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management.
CS 57105 Web Design and Programming I
- A joint computer science and visual communication design course on Web concepts and high-quality Web design: computer science, visual communication design principles, tools, architecture, presentation, design and creation of Web sites by teams. Web-based instruction is used. IP permissible. Special fee: $20 per semester.
CS 57106* Web Design and Programming II
- A joint computer science and visual communication design course on advanced Web techniques and multimedia Web design: Web servers, security, advanced design, Java servlets, applets, database connectivity, site maintenance, creation of actual Web sites by teams. IP permissible. Special fee: $20 per semester.
CS 69995 Topics: Computer Programming and Operating Environments
- A specific offering of the Computer Science Special Topics course. For more information, contact the IAKM office.
CS 69995 Topics: Advances in Internet-Based Applications and Systems
- A specific offering of the Computer Science Special Topics course. For more information, contact the IAKM office.
LIS 60640 Library Automation
- Analysis, design and selection of automated library systems. Considers system analysis and requirements, networking technologies, database management systems, multimedia and hypermedia, and client-serving computing. Also, proposals to vendors, contract negotiation, implementation, staffing, training, system maintenance and evaluation. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 or permission. Special fee: $20.
LIS 60641 Information Storage and Retrieval Systems
- Fundamentals of information storage and retrieval systems: components, models, file structure, information representation, human-computer interaction, standards, protocols and evaluation of system performance. Design and evaluation of information storage and retrieval including contributions from artificial intelligence and cognitive research. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 or permission. Special fee: $20.
LIS 60642 Implementation of Info Storage and Retrieval Systems
- Course has dual tracks: conceptual frameworks and basic technical skills. Covers all major aspects and latest advancements of an information retrieval system and their applications. Technical skills include Unix/Linux, PERL and CGI programming. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 and familiarity with telnet, FTP, HTML and Web browsers. Some computer programming experience helpful.
LIS 60643* Online Information Systems
- Use of information technologies to search for and retrieve electronic information, primarily through the Internet. Analysis of database structures and electronic records; search principles and heuristics; database system producers; system interfaces; and evaluation of results. Prerequisite: LIS 60001 or permission. Special fee: $30.
LIS 60645 Database Systems
- Characteristics and concepts of database systems; types of database models; conceptual database design and implementation; the relational database model and its application: key issues, principles and techniques; current database technologies. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Windows 95/98/2000, Microsoft Office applications and Web browsers.
LIS 60646 User Interfaces for Information Retrieval Systems
- Hardware considerations and programming for the implementation of user interfaces of computerized information retrieval systems, primarily for Web interfaces but also for online public access catalogs and other networked, client-server systems. Interface analysis, evaluation and design; project design and implementation. Special fee: $30.
LIS 60647 Network and Software Resources for Info Systems
- Study, use and evaluation of current and emerging information technologies; network and software resources for libraries and information centers, including network analysis and management, standards, protocols and client-server technologies; and techniques for accessing and evaluating such technologies and resources. Special fee: $20.
LIS 60648 Electronic Publishing on the Web
- Students gain the knowledge and skills to participate professionally in current electronic publishing activities, especially Web publishing, and to contribute to future developments in an innovative, socially responsible way.
LIS 60651 Digital Image Processing
- This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, terminology, techniques and applications of digital imaging as they relate to the development of digital image collections depicting works found in museum collections, archives, and special collections in libraries. Students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to design, create, and manage digital images of text, graphics, slides, and reproductions of 3-D objects. They will also be introduced to the principles and issues that pertain to the creation and distribution of digital-image archives via image databases and the Web environment. Prerequisite: LIS 60002. Special fee: $30.
VCD 53007 Information Graphics
- Introduction to shapes, color, type and combinations of these for computer-designed news graphics; maps, charts, graphs and diagrams. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and/or permission.

* denotes a course with prerequisites

See the Information Use or Knowledge Management curriculum pages for the list of possible alternatives for up to 3 credit hours of electives for IA majors.

All students must select one of the following:

IAKM 61199 Thesis I and
- Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester, distributed over several semesters, if desired. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.
IAKM 61299 Thesis II (if appropriate)
- Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

IAKM 60198 Master's Project
- Students must register for this course during the semester of their Information Architecture and Knowledge Management project. Not repeatable. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

See the Master's Project and Thesis Page for more information on requirements for completing the Master of Science in IAKM.

AVAILABLE COURSES
Go to the Schedules Page for the latest IAKM-related course schedules.