Information Science students study concepts and examine issues at the nexus of people, data, information, and computing. They gain the knowledge and skills to create data-driven technologies and to make them work for real communities. Information Science focuses on the ethical, cultural, and social factors in design and use of information technology-based and data-driven systems. Students become adept in the creation, management, retrieval, and curation of data and information. The major emphasizes designing systems that foster well-being and support the public good.
How to Get in
Students must have a 2.000 GPA on coursework counting in the major, and a 2.000 GPA on any upper-level work in the major completed prior to declaration. No specific coursework must be completed to declare. For students below a 2.000 GPA, please contact iSciadvising@ischool.wisc.edu to discuss options and a path to declaring the Information Science major.
It is recommended that students declare the major as early as possible to plan for required coursework. First semester students without a calculated GPA are eligible to declare. For instructions on declaring the Information Science major, please see the Information Science webpage.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students must complete a minimum of 30 total credits as detailed below.
Core Information Science Coursework
Complete 21 credits of Core Information Science Coursework from these options:
- L I S courses in the Breadth Coursework lists (counts for both Core and Breadth)
- Additional Core L I S Coursework
- COMP SCI 570 (counts for both Core and Breadth)
Breadth Coursework
Complete one course and at least 3 credits from each category. Non-L I S courses completed in each category satisfy breadth and count towards the Approved Electives.
Ethics, Computing & Society
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 201 | The Information Society | 4 |
| L I S 202 | Informational Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| L I S 220 | Digital Footprints: Privacy and Technology | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 460 | Surveillance, Privacy, and Police Powers | 3 |
| L I S 461 | Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy | 3-4 |
| or L I S 462 | Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy (Communications Intensive) | |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
Computational Techniques and Tools
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S/COMP SCI 472 | Introduction to Web Development | 3 |
| L I S 501 | Introduction to Text Mining | 3 |
| COMP SCI/L I S 102 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| COMP SCI 200 | Programming I | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| COMP SCI 300 | Programming II | 3 |
| COMP SCI 368 | Learning a Programming Language | 1 |
| STAT 433 | Data Science with R (Complete one course & at least 3 credits) | 3 |
Principles of Information and Data Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 464 | Applied Database Design | 3 |
| STAT 240 | Data Science Modeling I | 4 |
Designing for Human Computer Interaction
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 470 | Interaction Design Studio | 3 |
| L I S 646 | Introduction to Info Architecture and Interaction Design for the Web | 3 |
| COMP SCI 570 | Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 349 | Introduction to Human Factors | 3 |
Communicating Digitally
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 350 | History and Future of Books | 3 |
| L I S 407 | Data Storytelling with Visualization | 3 |
| L I S 408 | Generative Artificial Intelligence: Strategic Application, Evaluation, and Critique | 3 |
| COM ARTS 200 | Introduction to Digital Communication | 3 |
Additional Core L I S Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| L I S 301 | Information Literacies in Online Spaces | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S/AFRICAN/COM ARTS 444 | Technology and Development in Africa and Beyond | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S 512 | Cybersecurity Economics and Policy | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 645 | Intellectual Freedom | 3 |
Career/Community/Internship Coursework
Complete 1-6 credits in a hands-on learning course. No more than 6 credits may be counted towards this requirement. Some courses may have additional requisites to enroll.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTER-LS 210 | L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative | 1 |
| INTER-LS 215 | Communicating About Careers | 3 |
| INTER-LS/INTER-AG 250 | Undergraduate Research Experience | 1-3 |
| INTER-LS 260 | Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences | 1 |
| COM ARTS 605 | Digital Studies Capstone | 1 |
| COMP SCI/STAT 403 | Internship Course in Comp Sci and Data Science | 1 |
| DS 601 | Internship | 1-8 |
| GEN BUS 450 | Professional Experience in Business | 1 |
| INTER-HE 202 | SoHE Career & Leadership Development | 1 |
| INTL ST 523 | Study Abroad: International Internship or Research in the Sciences | 1-3 |
| JOURN 601 | Colloquium in Professional Communication Careers | 1 |
| JOURN 697 | Internship | 1-3 |
| L I S 399 | Independent Reading and Research | 1-3 |
| L I S/COMP SCI/STAT 401 | Undergraduate Cooperative Education | 1 |
| LSC 399 | Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education | 1-8 |
| PUB AFFR 327 | Administrative Internship | 3 |
Approved Electives
Complete additional coursework to reach 30 credits in the major from the following list, all Breadth Coursework, or Additional Core L I S Coursework list.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACT SCI 652 | Fundamentals of Short-Term Actuarial Modeling | 3 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 344 | Social Media & Well-Being | 3 |
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 346 | Critical Internet Studies | 3 |
| COM ARTS 478 | Rhetoric and Power on the Internet | 3 |
| COM ARTS 577 | Dynamics of Online Relationships | 3 |
| COMP SCI/E C E 252 | Introduction to Computer Engineering | 3 |
| COMP SCI 304 | Peer Collaboration in Computer Sciences (WES-CS) | 1 |
| COMP SCI 310 | Problem Solving Using Computers | 3 |
| COMP SCI/E C E 354 | Machine Organization and Programming | 3 |
| COMP SCI 400 | Programming III | 3 |
| COMP SCI 402 | Introducing Computer Science to K-12 Students | 2 |
| COMP SCI 407 | Foundations of Mobile Systems and Applications | 3 |
| COMP SCI/E C E 506 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| COMP SCI 542 | Introduction to Software Security | 3 |
| COMP SCI 564 | Database Management Systems: Design and Implementation | 4 |
| CNSR SCI 201 | Consumer Insights | 3 |
| CNSR SCI 257 | Introduction to Retail | 2 |
| CNSR SCI 301 | Consumer Analytics | 3 |
| DS 120 | Design: Fundamentals I | 3 |
| DS 140 | Visual Thinking - Form and Space | 3 |
| DS 221 | Person and Environment Interactions | 3 |
| DS 321 | Problem-definition: Design Programming | 3 |
| DS 341 | Design Thinking for Transformation | 3 |
| DS 451 | Color Theory and Technology | 3 |
| DS/COMP SCI 579 | Virtual Reality | 3 |
| DS 679 | Research Methods in Design | 3 |
| GEN BUS 306 | Business Analytics I | 3 |
| GEN BUS 307 | Business Analytics II | 3 |
| GEN BUS 656 | Foundations of Statistical Learning for Business Analytics | 3 |
| HIST SCI 150 | The Digital Age | 3 |
| HIST SCI/ILS 330 | Can Machines Think?: The History of Artificial Intelligence, 1650-Present | 3 |
| I SY E 348 | Introduction to Human Factors Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| I SY E 350 | Industrial Engineering Design I | 3 |
| I SY E 450 | Industrial Engineering Design II | 3 |
| I SY E/COMP SCI/DS 518 | Wearable Technology | 3 |
| INFO SYS 322 | Introduction to Databases | 3 |
| INFO SYS 371 | Technology of Computer-Based Business Systems | 3 |
| INFO SYS 424 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| JOURN 175 | Media Fluency for the Digital Age | 3 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN/COM ARTS/LSC 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| JOURN 622 | The Impact of Emerging Media | 3 |
| LSC 340 | Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 440 | Digital Media and Science Communication | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC/COM ARTS/JOURN 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| MARKETNG 355 | Marketing in a Digital Age | 3 |
| MARKETNG/OTM 427 | Information Technology in Supply Chains | 3 |
| MARKETNG 445 | Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| OTM/MARKETNG 427 | Information Technology in Supply Chains | 3 |
| OTM 453 | Operations Analytics | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 281 | Discovering What Works in Health Policy | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 380 | Analytic Tools for Public Policy | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 523 | Policy, Privacy, and Personal Identity in the Postgenomics Era | 3 |
| R M I 670 | Data Privacy and Cyber Risk | 2-3 |
| STAT 433 | Data Science with R | 3 |
Residence & Quality of Work in the Major
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all L I S and major courses
- Minimum 2.000 GPA computed on 15 credits of upper-level work in the major1
- Minimum 15 credits in L I S courses taken on the UW-Madison campus2
Footnotes
- 1
All Intermediate or Advanced-level courses are considered upper-level in the major.
- 2
A course is considered “at UW-Madison” when it is taken on the UW-Madison campus.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of ways in which the policies, ethics, and values associated with information systems can affect society
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationships between information, cognition, and human social activity
- Apply design principles and information science concepts to improve information systems and solve problems
- Apply introductory data analysis and data quality management approaches and communicate results
- Apply computational tools to accomplish goals and meet human needs
- Communicate well in oral, written, and visual forms
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communications A | 3 | L I S 201, 350, or 462 (Meets Communications B Requirement) | 3-4 |
| L I S/COMP SCI 102 | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Language (if needed) | 3 | Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth | 5 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth | 5 | Electives | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| L I S 440 (meets Quantitative Reasoning B) | 3 | L I S 202 (Meets Ethnic Studies Requirement) | 3 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | INTER-LS 210 (Meets Career/Community/Internship Requirement) | 1 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 6 | Biological Sciences Breadth (if needed) | 3 |
| Intermediate/Advanced COMPSCI, MATH or STAT (if BS) or Elective (if BA) | 3 | ||
| Electives | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communicating Digitally course | 3 | Ethics, Computing & Society course | 3 |
| Human Computer Interaction course | 3 | Career/Community/Internship course (if needed) or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Breadth | 3 | Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth if needed | 3 |
| Intermediate/Advanced COMPSCI, MATH or STAT (if BS) or Intermediate or Advanced elective (if BA) | 3 | Sciences Breadth if needed | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Information and Data Science course | 3 | Computational Techniques and Tools course | 3 |
| Complete Core Information Science coursework or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives | 10 | Complete Information Science Coursework Requirement or other Intermediate or Advanced Electives | 10 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (if needed) | 3 | Humanities or Social Sciences Breadth (if needed) | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Students who are interested in information science academic advising for the major should visit the Information School website or contact the advisors by email at iSciAdvising@ischool.wisc.edu.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Resources and Scholarships
Visit Wisconsin Scholarship Hub to find UW–Madison scholarships and apply online.
Visit the Student Awards page on the Information School website for opportunities available to students studying Information Science.