Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
Master of Science in Information Science
Malvern, USA
DURATION
12 up to 18 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
06 Dec 2024
EARLIEST START DATE
13 Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 1,992 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, Distance Learning
Introduction
Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to meet evolving IT challenges in integration, security, and business continuity. This STEM-designated program is designed for information technology professionals who want to move into a leadership or management position within the IT field.
- Work with local companies and faculty on research projects through the Insights Lab, Do iT Lab, and Smart Systems Research Group.
- Pursue your degree at your own pace, completing in as little as two years if attending part-time.
- Complete full-time within 12-18 months.
- Become a part of the more than 750,000 Penn State alumni across the world.
- Courses taught by world-class faculty and industry experts.
- GRE not required.
- Program is STEM-designated.
Program Advantages
- Prepare for a career in data visualization, security, cloud computing and storage, and more.
- Learn essential technical and leadership skills.
- Partner with alumni and local employers on relevant projects while fostering industry connections, networking, and job opportunities.
- Navigate problems that span a variety of industries.
- Immerse yourself in small classes and develop meaningful relationships with faculty and classmates who are business professionals and managers in the private and public sectors.
- Engage with faculty actively involved in key research areas like blockchain, applied machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), smart services, smart systems, cybersecurity, data mining, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Take advantage of Career Management Services, which offers a variety of programs, resources, and networking opportunities for students and graduates.
- Benefit from a STEM-designated program, allowing 36 months total of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Ability to simultaneously pursue another degree as part of the concurrent degree program.
Flexibility & Delivery
The Master of Science in Information Science features two delivery options: hybrid delivery or fully online.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships for New Program Applicants
- Chancellor’s Scholarship for students enrolled in at least 12 credits per first two semesters
Scholarships for Enrolled Students
- Merit scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
Curriculum
Courses for the Master of Science in Information Science program are listed below. All courses offered are three credits unless otherwise indicated.
- CSE 543 - Computer Security
- DAAN 545 - Data Mining
- DAAN 825 - Large Scale Database and Warehouse
Prerequisite: IN SC 521 or with Division permission - DAAN 871 - Data Visualization for Analytics
- DAAN 881 - Data-Driven Decision Making
Prerequisite: STAT 500 - DAAN 897 - Deep Learning
Prerequisite: STAT 500 - DAAN 897 - Enterprise Analytics Strategies
- EA 871 - Enterprise Architecture Foundations I
- ENGMT 501 - Engineering Management Science
- I E 575 - Foundations of Predictive Analytics
Prerequisite: STAT 500 or with Division permission - INFSY 860 - Data Communications Systems and Networks
Previously offered as INFSFY 560 – Data Communications Systems and Networks
Previously offered as IN SC 497 – Networks Management I - INFSY 863 - Network Security
Previously offered as INFSY 563
Previously offered as IN SC 497 – Fundamentals of Information Science - IN SC 431 - Information Systems Architecture
- IN SC 480 - Software Development Lifecycle
- IN SC 497- Special Topics: Business Intelligence
- IN SC 497 - Special Topics: Large-scale Databases & Warehouses
Prerequisite: IN SC 521 or with instructor's approval - IN SC 497 - Special Topics: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
- IN SC 497 - Special Topics: Network Management I
Prerequisites: Completion of Network Management I or Data Communications Systems & Networks or with instructor permission - IN SC 521 - Database Design Concepts
- IN SC 525 - Applied Data Mining
- IN SC 526 - Business Process Management and Integration
Previously offered as IN SC 597 - Business Process Management - IN SC 531 - Information Technology Law
- IN SC 539 - Information Technology Systems Seminar
- IN SC 561 - Web Security and Privacy
- IST 441 - Information Retrieval and Organization
- IST 454 - Computer and Cyber Forensics
Prerequisite: A basic familiarity with computer networks and operating systems (from a user perspective) is expected - IST 816 - Web and Internet Information Retrieval
- S T S 589 - Ethics and Values in Science and Technology
- SWENG 400 - Software Studio (Java)
- SWENG 497 - Special Topics: Agile Processes
- SWENG 497 - Special Topics: Domain Specific Languages
- SWENG 497 - Special Topics: Software Documentation
- SWENG 497 - Special Topics: Software Integration
- SWENG 497 - Special Topics: Tools and Processes for Software Engineers
- SWENG 510 - Secure Software Engineering
- SWENG 541 - Advanced Database Design Concepts
Prerequisite: IN SC 521, or approval of instructor or department - SWENG 568 - Enterprise Integration
- SWENG 569 - Service-Oriented Architecture
- SWENG 586 - Requirements Engineering
- SWENG 826 - Applied Human-Computer Interaction
Previously offered as SWENG 497 Special Topics: Human Computer Interface - SWENG 837 - Software System Design
Previously offered as SWENG 837 – Software System Design
Prerequisite: Information Science students need permission from Engineering Division - SYSEN 507 - Systems Thinking
- SYSEN 536 - Decision and Risk Analysis in Engineering
- SYSEN 550 - Creativity and Problem Solving I
- SYSEN 552 - Creativity and Problem Solving II
- SYSEN 554 - Problem Solving Leadership
Prerequisites: SYSEN 550 Creativity and Problem Solving I and SYSEN 552 Creativity and Problem Solving II - SYSEN 555 - Invention and Creative Design
NOTE: Taking SYSEN 550 prior to SYSEN 555 is recommended but not required currently. - SYSEN 805 - Technical Project Management
PLEASE NOTE: Students may take either SWENG 805 Software Project Management or SYSEN 805 Technical Project Management
Program Outcome
Upon completion of the information science program, our graduates will:
- Know how to describe, model, and analyze information systems in support of organizations’ operations and management in an efficient and effective manner.
- Understand known and emerging information systems theories and principles to improve and enhance IT systems.
- Be proficient in applying appropriate methodologies to design, develop, and maintain software and information systems to meet the needs of organizations.
- Have competency in implementing and managing information systems and networks while effectively protecting organizational information assets.
- Have the skills to communicate effectively, recognize responsibilities, and make informed judgments based on legal and ethical principles.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Hiring Organizations
Our alumni have been hired and promoted at organizations such as:
- Amerisource Bergen
- Comcast
- GSK
- Lockheed Martin
- Merck
- Microsoft
- Oracle
- Pfizer
- PJM Interconnection
- Roblox
- SAP
- QVC
Job Titles
Alumni have reported holding the following positions:
- Application/field engineer
- Business analyst
- Computer systems engineer/architect
- Data administrator/manager
- Data analyst
- IT specialist/manager
- Product/program manager
- Security engineer
- Software engineer
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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