Information Science Program

Overview

Embark on a transformative journey with our 33-credit Master of Science in Information Science program, tailored for aspiring IT professionals eager to ascend to leadership or management roles within the dynamic sphere of information technology. This program is meticulously designed to arm you with the critical knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the ever-evolving challenges of integration, security, and business continuity. Through a blend of rigorous academic coursework and hands-on experience, you’ll be perfectly positioned to meet the demands of the modern IT landscape.

Dive into a rich, collaborative learning environment where you’ll engage in cutting-edge research projects alongside local companies and our esteemed faculty through initiatives like the Insights Lab, Do iT Lab, and Smart Systems Research Group. Whether you choose to complete your degree on a part-time basis in as little as two years or opt for a full-time track that can be completed within 12-18 months, you’ll be joining a vibrant community of over 750,000 Penn State alumni worldwide. Benefit from courses led by world-class faculty and industry pioneers, in a program that does not require GRE scores for admission.

This program offers unparalleled advantages for those aiming to excel in fields such as data visualization, security, cloud computing, and storage, among others. It not only equips you with vital technical and leadership competencies but also offers abundant opportunities to connect with alumni and local employers for project collaboration, networking, and job prospects. Immerse yourself in small classes that foster significant relationships with both faculty and peers—who are seasoned business professionals and managers—while engaging with faculty research in areas like blockchain, applied machine learning, and AI. With access to our Career Management Services, you’re set to leverage a myriad of programs, resources, and networking opportunities, all while enjoying the benefits of a STEM designation that extends up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

INSC 831: Contemporary Information Systems Architecture (3 credits)
INSC 526: Business Process Management & Integration (3 credits)
INSC 539: Information Science Emerging Topics (3 credits)
INSC 561: Web Security and Privacy (3 credits)
SWENG 545: Data Mining (3 credits)
SWENG 568: Enterprise Integration (3 credits)


Capstone

INSC 594: Research Topics (3 credits)

CSE 543: Computer Security
DAAN 825: Large-Scale Databases & Warehouses (Prerequisite: INSC 521 or with Division Approval)
DAAN 862: Analytics Programming in Python (Prerequisite: STAT 500)
DAAN 871: Data Visualization for Analytics
DAAN 881: Data-Driven Decision Making (Prerequisite: STAT 500)
DAAN 897: Enterprise Analytics Strategies
IE 575: Foundations of Predictive Analytics (Prerequisite: STAT 500)
INSC 497: Special Topics: Business Intelligence
INSC 497: Special Topics: Fundamentals of Telecommunications
INSC 521: Database Design Concepts
DAAN/INSC 846: Network and Predictive Analytics for Socio-Technical Systems
INSC 897: Ethical Hacking
IST 454: Computer and Cyber Forensics
IST 516: Web and Internet Information Retrieval
STAT 500: Applied Statistics
STS 589: Ethics and Values in Science and Technology
SWENG 510: Secure Software Engineering
SWENG 541: Advanced Database Design (Prerequisite: INSC 521 or Division Approval) SWENG 569: Service-Oriented Architecture
SWENG 586: Requirements Engineering
SWENG 826: Applied Human-Computer Interaction
SWENG 837: Software System Design (with Division approval)
SYSEN/SWENG 505: Technical Project Management
SYSEN 536: Decision and Risk Analysis in Engineering
SYSEN 850: Creativity and Problem Solving I
SYSEN 552: Creativity and Problem Solving II (Prerequisite: SYSEN 550)
SYSEN 555: Invention and Creative Design