³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Information Studies

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Information Studies

Location

Location

  • School of Information Studies
  • 3661 Peel Street
  • Montreal, QC H3A 1X1
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-4204
  • Fax: 514-398-7193
  • Email: sis [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/sis

About Information Studies

About Information Studies

The School of Information Studies (SIS) at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ is a dynamic teaching and research unit engaged in the education of information professionals, individuals who can make a difference in the management and design of information resources, services, and systems to ensure adequate access to information and knowledge for all. As the pioneer school in Canada, SIS has been offering programs at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ since 1897, and our Master of Library and Information Studies degree has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association since 1929. The School offers the Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.), post-M.L.I.S. certificate and diploma programs, and a Ph.D. program in Information Studies. Our programs are articulated around three specializations: Archival Studies, Knowledge Management, and Librarianship.

Information Studies is the name assigned to a wide-ranging discipline, and SIS professors are engaged in four major research areas: information-seeking behaviour; human-computer interaction; information resources in context; and knowledge management and representation. Located within the Faculty of Education, SIS offers our students the advantages of a small, autonomous unit, yet with all the facilities and administrative support of a large and vibrant university faculty, located in the heart of bilingual and multicultural Montreal.

For complete information on the School of Information Studies, please see our website at www.mcgill.ca/sis.

For complete information about any of our programs, please see the Programs & Courses section of our website at www.mcgill.ca/sis/programs.

Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.); Information Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)
The Master of Library and Information Studies consists of a 48-credit non-thesis program, accredited by the American Library Association. This program is designed to prepare graduates for the broad field of information studies and has three areas of specialization: Archival Studies, Knowledge Management, and Librarianship. The program provides the intellectual foundation for careers in these three areas; fosters competencies in managing information and knowledge resources; advocates the ideal of equal access to information; promotes the appropriate use of technology in meeting information needs; encourages research in the field of library and information studies; and cultivates commitment to professional service for individuals, organizations, and society.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Information Studies
The Ph.D. in Information Studies provides an opportunity for exceptional candidates to study interdisciplinary research topics at the doctoral level. The program offers a thorough grounding in both current theory and methods of research to ensure that students develop knowledge and critical awareness of relevant theories, principles, and methods in Information Studies and acquire the expertise to conduct and promote scholarly research in the context of Information Studies. The program begins with a set of common courses and proceeds to specialization through dissertation topics focused on areas of expertise that are supported by the research interests of current faculty members. Students develop scholarly and innovative expertise in one of four research areas within information studies: information-seeking behaviour, human-computer interaction, information resources in context, and knowledge management and representation. The program prepares graduates for a wide range of settings in research, teaching, and senior administrative positions, in Quebec, Canada, and internationally; contributes to the development of knowledge and to teaching/learning in Information Studies; and builds national and international visibility of Information Studies from a research perspective.
Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Studies (15 credits)
The Graduate Certificate 15-credit program is designed to assist library and information professionals currently holding an ALA-accredited (or equivalent) master's degree to update their qualifications for advanced responsibility. The program may be completed in one or two academic terms, or on a part-time basis to a maximum of five years.
Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies (30 credits)
The Graduate Diploma 30-credit program provides professional librarians and information specialists currently holding an ALA-accredited (or equivalent) master's degree with formal opportunities to update, specialize, and redirect their careers for advanced responsibility. For those considering admission into the doctoral program, it will provide an opportunity to further develop their research interests. The program may be completed in one calendar year, or on a part-time basis to a maximum of five years.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 18, 2013) (disclaimer)

Information Studies Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Information Studies Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.)

  1. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Academic Standing of at least B, or second class – upper division, or a CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 is required. Courses in library and/or information studies taken before or as part of an undergraduate degree, or such courses taken in a school with a program not accredited by the American Library Association, cannot be accepted as credit toward the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ M.L.I.S.
  2. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English prior to admission. Such proof normally comprises the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 100 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL) with a written score of at least 25 and a reading, speaking, and listening score not less than 20, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 7.5. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to demonstrate English-language competency beyond the submission of the TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  3. Competency in the use of computers is expected. Applicants should have a thorough knowledge of the Windows operating system, particularly file management and word processing, and presentation software such as PowerPoint.
  4. Previous library work experience, while not essential, will be given consideration in assessing an application, but this experience cannot replace academic criteria.

Ph.D. in Information Studies

  1. Applicants should normally have a master's degree in Library and Information Studies (or equivalent). Master's degrees in other fields will be considered in relation to the proposed research.

    An applicant with a master's degree in Library and Information Studies (or equivalent) will normally be admitted to Ph.D. 2.

    An applicant with a master's degree in another field may be considered for admission to Ph.D. 2, but may need to register for courses to upgrade background knowledge in library and information studies.

    An applicant who holds only a bachelor’s degree from ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ or an approved institution in Information Studies (or equivalent) in exceptional circumstances may be admitted to Ph.D. 1.

    A CGPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels is required.

  2. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English prior to admission. Such proof normally comprises the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 100 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL) with a written score of at least 25 and a reading, speaking, and listening score not less than 20, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 7.5. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to demonstrate English-language competency beyond the submission of the TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Studies

  1. Applicants should have a master's degree in Library and Information Studies from a program accredited by the American Library Association (or equivalent). Candidates will normally have at least three years' professional experience following completion of the M.L.I.S.
  2. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English prior to admission. Such proof normally comprises the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 100 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL) with a written score of at least 25 and a reading, speaking, and listening score not less than 20, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 7.5. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to demonstrate English-language competency beyond the submission of the TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies

  1. Applicants should have a master's degree in Library and Information Studies from a program accredited by the American Library Association (or equivalent). Admission of students with overseas degrees will be guided by the M.L.I.S. equivalency standards of the A.L.A. Applicants will normally have at least three years' professional experience following completion of the M.L.I.S.
  2. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English prior to admission. Such proof normally comprises the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 100 (iBT Internet-based TOEFL) with a written score of at least 25 and a reading, speaking, and listening score not less than 20, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 7.5. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to demonstrate English-language competency beyond the submission of the TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures for detailed application procedures.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:

  • Employer Reference Letters – if degree was awarded more than five years ago, two employer letters of recommendation instead of academic letters
  • Personal Statement – All programs except Ph.D.
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research Proposal – Ph.D. only

Applicants are encouraged to review the Staff Directory and Research sections of the School's website to assist in identifying possible dissertation supervisors and to become familiar with the School's research areas before applying to the program. Questions can be addressed to the Ph.D. Program Director.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

M.L.I.S., Graduate Certificate, and Graduate Diploma
Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: Mar. 15 Fall: Feb. 15 Fall: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Winter: N/A Winter: N/A Winter: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A Summer: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Ph.D.
Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: Jan. 15 Fall: Jan. 15 Fall: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Winter: N/A Winter: N/A Winter: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A Summer: Contact Student Affairs Coordinator
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 18, 2013) (disclaimer)

Information Studies Faculty

Information Studies Faculty

Director
France Bouthillier
Associate Professors
Joan Bartlett; B.Sc., M.L.S., Ph.D.(Tor.)
Jamshid Beheshti; B.A.(S. Fraser), M.L.S., Ph.D.(W. Ont.)
France Bouthillier; B.Ed.(UQAM), M.B.S.I.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Kimiz Dalkir; B.Sc., M.B.A.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'dia)
Catherine Guastavino; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc.(Aix-Marseille), Ph.D.(Paris)
Eun Park; B.A.(Pusan), M.L.I.S.(Ill.), M.B.A.(Pitt.), Ph.D.(Calif.-LA)
Assistant Professors
Charles-Antoine Julien; B.Eng., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Elaine Ménard; B.A., M.A., M.S.I., Ph.D.(Montr.)
Karyn Moffatt; B.A.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
Adjunct Professor
Joy Bennett; B.A., M.A.(C'dia), M.L.I.S.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'dia)
Associate Members
Gordon Burr; B.A., M.L.I.S.(McG.), Senior Archivist, Records Management, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Archives
Pierre Pluye; M.D.(Toulouse), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.), Dept. of Family Medicine, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ
Richard Virr; B.A.(Tulane), M.A.(Qu.), Ph.D.(McG.), Curator of Manuscripts, Rare Books and Special Collections Division, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Libraries
Affiliate Members
Charles Cole; B.A., M.L.I.S.(McG.), Ph.D.(Sheff.)
Frances Groen; B.A., B.L.S.(Tor.), M.A.(Pitt.), Trenholme Director Emerita of Libraries, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ
Part-Time Instructors
Edward Bilodeau; B.Sc, M.L.I.S.(McG.)
Nathalie Blanchard; B.A., B.F.A.(C'dia), M.L.I.S.(McG.)
Heather Brydon; B.Ed.(Saint-Boniface), M.L.I.S.(McG.)
Rhiannon Gainor; B.A.(Brigham Young), M.L.I.S/M.A.(Alta.)
David Weigl; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Edin.)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 18, 2013) (disclaimer)

Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.); Information Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)

This program will be changed for the 2014-2015 academic year. Please refer to the School of Information Studies website at .

The M.L.I.S offers three streams of study: Archival Studies, Knowledge Management, and Librarianship.

In consultation with the coordinator of each stream and the Student Affairs Coordinator, before registering for courses, students will select a stream based on their interests.

During their first two terms, students should aim to complete the required core and complementary courses needed for their selected stream.

Required Courses (12 credits)

GLIS 601 (3) Information and Society
GLIS 611 (3) Research Principles and Analysis
GLIS 617 (3) Information System Design
GLIS 620 (3) Information Agency Management

Complementary Courses (36 credits)

24-36 credits from one of the following streams: Archival Studies, Knowledge Management, or Librarianship.

Archival Studies Stream

12 credits, the following four required courses:

GLIS 641 (3) Archival Arrangement & Description
GLIS 642 (3) Preservation Management
GLIS 645 (3) Archival Principles & Practice
GLIS 660 (3) Records Management

12-24 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 609 (3) Metadata & Access
GLIS 613 (3) Library and Archival History
GLIS 634 (3) Web System Design and Management
GLIS 643 (3) Electronic Records Systems
GLIS 646 (12) Research Project
GLIS 647 (6) Independent Study
GLIS 657 (3) Database Design & Development
GLIS 689 (3) Selected Topics
GLIS 699 (3) Practicum

0-12 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 607 (3) Organization of Information
GLIS 616 (3) Information Retrieval
GLIS 619 (3) Information Services & Users
GLIS 631 (3) Systems Thinking
GLIS 632 (3) Library Systems
GLIS 633 (3) Multimedia Systems
GLIS 638 (3) Business Information
GLIS 639 (3) Introduction to Museology
GLIS 655 (3) Language and Information
GLIS 661 (3) Knowledge Management
GLIS 665 (3) Competitive Intelligence

Knowledge Management Stream

12 credits, the following four required courses:

GLIS 661 (3) Knowledge Management
GLIS 662 (3) Intellectual Capital
GLIS 663 (3) Knowledge Taxonomies
GLIS 664 (3) Communities of Practice

12-24 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 616 (3) Information Retrieval
GLIS 633 (3) Multimedia Systems
GLIS 634 (3) Web System Design and Management
GLIS 638 (3) Business Information
GLIS 643 (3) Electronic Records Systems
GLIS 646 (12) Research Project
GLIS 647 (6) Independent Study
GLIS 657 (3) Database Design & Development
GLIS 665 (3) Competitive Intelligence
GLIS 689 (3) Selected Topics
GLIS 699 (3) Practicum

0-12 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 607 (3) Organization of Information
GLIS 619 (3) Information Services & Users
GLIS 624 (3) Marketing Information Services
GLIS 631 (3) Systems Thinking
GLIS 639 (3) Introduction to Museology
GLIS 645 (3) Archival Principles & Practice
GLIS 655 (3) Language and Information
GLIS 679 (3) Information Literacy

Librarianship Stream

12 credits, the following four required courses:

GLIS 607 (3) Organization of Information
GLIS 615 (3) Bibliographic and Factual Sources
GLIS 618 (3) Collection Development
GLIS 619 (3) Information Services & Users

12-24 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 608 (3) Classification and Cataloguing
GLIS 612 (3) History of Books and Printing
GLIS 613 (3) Library and Archival History
GLIS 614 (3) Public Libraries
GLIS 632 (3) Library Systems
GLIS 636 (3) Government Information
GLIS 637 (3) Scientific & Technical Information
GLIS 638 (3) Business Information
GLIS 644 (3) Descriptive Bibliography
GLIS 646 (12) Research Project
GLIS 647 (6) Independent Study
GLIS 651 (3) Humanities and Social Science Information
GLIS 656 (3) Abstracting and Indexing
GLIS 671 (3) Health Sciences Information
GLIS 672 (3) Law Information
GLIS 673 (3) Bioinformatics Resources
GLIS 679 (3) Information Literacy
GLIS 689 (3) Selected Topics
GLIS 699 (3) Practicum

0-12 credits chosen from the following complementary courses:

GLIS 609 (3) Metadata & Access
GLIS 616 (3) Information Retrieval
GLIS 624 (3) Marketing Information Services
GLIS 631 (3) Systems Thinking
GLIS 633 (3) Multimedia Systems
GLIS 634 (3) Web System Design and Management
GLIS 639 (3) Introduction to Museology
GLIS 643 (3) Electronic Records Systems
GLIS 645 (3) Archival Principles & Practice
GLIS 655 (3) Language and Information
GLIS 657 (3) Database Design & Development
GLIS 660 (3) Records Management
GLIS 661 (3) Knowledge Management
GLIS 665 (3) Competitive Intelligence

Elective Courses (12 credits)

0-12 credits approved by the student's adviser, selected from the complementary courses of streams not chosen as the student's primary focus or from other 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses; up to 6 credits may be from other Quebec universities.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 21, 2013) (disclaimer)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Information Studies

The Ph.D. program provides an opportunity to study interdisciplinary research topics within the field of library and information studies at the doctoral level. Students develop scholarly and innovative expertise in one of the four research areas within information studies: a) information-seeking behaviour; b) human-computer interaction; c) information resources in context; d) knowledge management and representation, as well as an awareness of the inter-relatedness of these areas. Students begin with a set of common core courses and proceed to specialization through advanced coursework and dissertation topics focused on areas of expertise that are supported by the research interests of current faculty members.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses (12 credits)

Note: GLIS 701 is normally taken in the second year.

GLIS 701 (0) Comprehensive Examination
GLIS 702 (3) Seminar in Information Studies
GLIS 703 (3) Research Paradigms in Information Studies
GLIS 704 (3) Research Design in Information Studies
GLIS 705 (3) Readings in Information Studies

Students may also be required to take additional courses to prepare them for their research.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 21, 2013) (disclaimer)

Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Studies (15 credits)

Complementary Courses

9-15 credits, three to five GLIS courses chosen in consultation with the student's adviser with the exception of the following courses:

GLIS 646 (12) Research Project
GLIS 647 (6) Independent Study
GLIS 689 (3) Selected Topics
GLIS 695 (6) Research Paper 1
GLIS 696D1 (6) Research Paper 2
GLIS 696D2 (6) Research Paper 2

Note: students who wish to register for:

GLIS 694 (3) Certificate Project

must first have their research proposal approved by the Committee on Student Standing and Academic Affairs.

0-6 credits of non-GLIS courses with a maximum of 3 credits from outside ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. All such courses must be at a graduate level and receive prior approval of the student's adviser(s) and the School's Director.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 21, 2013) (disclaimer)

Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies (30 credits)

Research Paper

(6-18 credits)

GLIS 695 (6) Research Paper 1
GLIS 696D1 (6) Research Paper 2
GLIS 696D2 (6) Research Paper 2

Complementary Courses

(9-24 credits)

Three to eight GLIS courses chosen in consultation with the student's adviser with the exception of the following:

GLIS 646 (12) Research Project
GLIS 647 (6) Independent Study
GLIS 689 (3) Selected Topics
GLIS 694 (3) Certificate Project

0-15 credits of non-GLIS courses, a maximum of one-third of which may be from outside ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. All such courses must be at a graduate level and receive the prior approval of the student's adviser and the School's Director.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 21, 2013) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Education—2013-2014 (last updated Jul. 18, 2013) (disclaimer)
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