Students’ Handbook

2006-2007

Part 2

A guide for students taking the

MSc/

Postgraduate Diploma/

Certificate

in

Information Science

COLLEGE TERMS 2006-2007

25 September - 15 December

8 January - 23 March

23 April - 8 June

School of Library, Archive & Information Studies

University College London

September 2006


MSc / Postgraduate Diploma / Certificate in Information Science

The Information Science programme is intended for experienced information professionals who wish to update their knowledge and gain practical experience of computing and information technologies. The programme is recognized and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals

The programme is structured on a modular basis, and students may offer selected modules for the award of UCL Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate; alternatively, individual modules may be studied on a short-course basis.

Handbook

This Handbook is also available via the School’s website, and the web version will be constantly updated and provide links to other sources of information. This hardcopy version is provided for convenience based on data current at time of publication and you will have to employ more traditional means to consult some of the documents cited. For the latest information please always check the SLAIS website (www.slais.ucl.ac.uk).

Contents

  1. Purpose of programme
  2. Duration and structure
  3. Curriculum
  4. Assessment
  5. Administrative and timetable information
  6. Course module synopsis

Disclaimer

The information contained in this Handbook may be subject to change at any time during the year. This is particularly true of timetables and options on offer. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information, the School can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.

School of Library, Archive & Information Studies

University College London

Gower Street

London WC1E 6BT

Tel. 020-7679 7204 Fax 020-7383 0557 E-mail

Web home page http://www.slais.ucl.ac.uk

1 Purpose of programme

This Information Science programme is primarily intended as a career and/or professional development programme for practising librarians, archivists and other information professionals who wish to acquire and develop skills in the use of computers and automated techniques in their areas of interest. It is not intended as a first professional qualification programme, although it is recognised and accredited as such by CILIP. However a pilot scheme to provide a pathway for those without a background in one of the information professions is currently being undertaken.

Aims and objectives

An understanding of information technology (IT) and an appreciation of computer applications are nowadays essential not only to the day-to-day operation of libraries and information departments but also to the successful future development of all types of information services. Our professional education recognizes these facts, and gives current students an appropriate grounding in the use of IT and computer systems. However with today's rapid rate of change in technology it is sometimes difficult for more experienced information workers, whose own professional training pre-dates the latest developments, to acquire the requisite skills, or to fill in underlying gaps in their understanding in these areas. The Information Science programme offers an opportunity to address and overcome these difficulties, particularly to those who feel the need to update or enhance their computer and IT related skills in order to contribute more fully to their present employment; who feel their career paths are being blocked by a lack of knowledge of current IT techniques; or who would like a change of emphasis in their career development.

The programme requires only a minimal level of pre-existing IT knowledge and aims to build a solid foundation of understanding and up-to-date techniques on which new and future skills can easily be developed.

2 Duration and Structure

The MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate is a modular programme, offering considerable flexibility in the manner in which the modules can be undertaken to support part-time study. The basic requirements and alternatives are shown below, but other formulations are also available: please do not hesitate to discuss with us other variations which might better suit your individual needs. Module timetables are generally structured in half-day blocks to facilitate the possibility of two-year part-time study with attendance at classes on a single day per week, but this is not always achievable and it may be necessary for students to attend on two separate half-days for part of the programme for some part-time combinations. All modules have standard credit values which accrue towards the various possible awards.


MSc (180 credits)

Components: 5 compulsory modules, 3 optional modules, plus a dissertation.

Full-time: 1 calendar year (12 months)

Part-time: 2 calendar years, attending one day (two half-days) each week.

Modular/flexible: students may collect credits over a maximum of five academic years.

Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)

Components: 5 compulsory modules plus 3 optional modules.

Full-time: 1 academic year (9 months)

Part-time: 2 academic years, attending 1 day (two half-days) each week.

Modular/flexible: students may collect credits over a maximum of five academic years.

Certificate (60 credits)

Components: any 4 modules (subject to agreement and module preconditions)

Modules may be taken over a maximum of four academic years.

Individual modules may also be taken as short courses not leading to any specific award.

3 Curriculum

The programme, which assumes a minimal previous knowledge of computers, introduces new concepts through lectures, seminars and case studies, and there is opportunity for extensive practical work and hands-on experience. Individual interests may be explored in depth through options, coursework and the dissertation, which forms a major part of the Information Science programme.

As noted above, candidates for the MSc take modules worth 180 credits: 5 compulsory modules, any 3 optional modules, and a dissertation. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma take modules worth 120 credits: 5 compulsory modules and any 3 optional modules. Diploma candidates do not undertake a dissertation. Candidates for the Certificate take an agreed combination of modules worth 60 credits.

Each student's optional modules should be agreed with the programme director at the start of each year during foundation week. Students registered for part-time or modular study should similarly agree with the Programme Director the order and timescale in which the proposed modules will be undertaken at this time.

Compulsory modules (each of 15 credits):

·  Database systems analysis and design (G007)

·  Internet technologies (G017)

·  Introduction to programming and scripting (G018)

·  Principles of computing and information technology (G028/G029)

·  Systems management (G035)

Optional modules (each of 15 credits):

·  Digital resources in the humanities (G008)

·  Legal and social aspects (G019)

·  Management (G020)

·  Records management (G032)

·  Server technologies and programming (G033)

·  XML (G037)

·  Electronic publishing (G038)

·  Encoded Archival Description and Digitisation of Archives (G041)

·  Individual approved studies (G042/G043/G044)

·  Records management and information policy compliance (G052)

Dissertation (60 credits) (G099)

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the availability of all optional modules listed above, in some circumstances this may not be possible. Other modules may also be offered or considered as options with the Programme Director's approval.

NB Due to timetabling constraints, in the 2006-7 academic session students undertaking the MSc or Diploma on a two-year part-time basis are required to attend on two separate half-days in term one of their first year in order to complete all the necessary compulsory elements.

4 Assessment

Assessment for all modules is by coursework, with the exception of the compulsory module G028 (Principles of Computing and Information Technology) which is assessed 50% by coursework and 50% by unseen examination. This examination is identified separately as G029 in all documentation and is undertaken in the final year of study on part-time/modular programmes as it is an overarching paper.

Modules are typically assessed by one or two pieces of coursework, but can differ greatly in the nature and balance of work required. For full details of any specific module's assessment please refer to the appropriate module-specific documentation.

The pass mark for all modules on the programme is 50%, which must be attained in all compulsory modules and the dissertation. A “condoned failure” at 40%-49% in up to two optional modules may be permitted, so long as an overall aggregate mark of 50% is obtained on the programme.

5 Administrative and timetable information

Information contained in this handbook may be subject to change at any time during the year. This is particularly true of timetables and options on offer. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information, the department cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

Programme Director

Andy Dawson

020 7679 2396

Room HM7a, Henry Morley Building

College Dates 2005-2006

Term 1 Monday 25 September - Friday 15 December

Term 2 Monday 8 January - Friday 23 March

Term 3 Monday 23 April - Friday 8 June

Christmas:

CLOSE - Friday 22 December 2006 at 5.30pm

RE-OPEN - Tuesday 2 January 2007

Easter:

CLOSE - Wednesday 4 April 2007 at 5.30pm

RE-OPEN - Thursday 12 April 2007

Bank Holidays:

Monday 7 May 2007

Monday 28 May 2007

Monday 27 August 2007

Reading Weeks:

Monday 6 November 2006 - Friday 10 November 2006

Monday 12 February 2007 - Friday 16 February 2007

Programme timetable

A separate timetable for induction week should have been provided to you on arrival. If you have not received one, please obtain one from the departmental office

Detailed timetable information for each module’s contents will be provided separately by module tutors in due course.

Base timetable pattern 2006-7

Mandatory modules are highlighted in bold, options are in normal type. Not all available optional modules are listed, others may also be taken, in particular G042/43/44 (Individual study) which can be timetabled flexibly. Timetabling is subject to alteration and should be confirmed with the relevant module tutors, particularly location information which may sometimes be changed at short notice. Attendance patterns for part-time and modular students should be reviewed and agreed with your programme tutor at the beginning of the year.

Term 1 / 10.00 - 13.00 / 14.00 - 17.00
Mon / G038 Electronic publishing (Claire Warwick) / G017 Internet Technologies
(Hamid Jamali)
Tue
9.00 - 11.00
11.30 - 13.00 / G028 Principles of Computing and Information Technology (Andy Dawson)
Bedford Way G03
G028 p/t student practicals
DMS Watson
Wed / G028 full-time student practicals
HM1 / Meetings/sports
Thu / G035 Systems Management (Andy Dawson)
Bedford Way G06 / G018 Introduction to Programming and Scripting (Rob Miller)
Fri / G008 Digital Resources in the Humanities (Isabel Galina)
G032 Records Management (Geoff Yeo) / G032 Records Management visits
Term 2 / 10.00 - 13.00 / 14.00 - 17.00
Mon
Tue / G020 Management (Maggie Fieldhouse &Lucy Gildersleeves) / G007 Database Systems Analysis and Design
(Andy Dawson)
HM4
Wed
Thu / G037 XML
(Claire Warwick) / G019 Legal & Social aspects
(Claire Warwick)
Fri / G041 EAD and digitisation of archives
(Geoff Yeo) / G033 Server Technologies
(Rob Miller)

Coursework Deadlines 2006-2007

A full list of coursework deadlines for all modules is provided separately, and is detailed online in all specific modules' pages on the SLAIS website

6 Course module synopsis

A brief outline of the main Information Science modules follows below. Detailed information and timetables about individual modules are distributed separately.

Please note in particular that timetabling and location information is provisional only and subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

G007 Database systems analysis and design

Time: Term 2, Tuesdays 14.00-17.00

Module tutor: Andy Dawson

To provide: a sound understanding, both theoretical and practical, of basic systems theory, approaches to analysis, common methodologies, and the tasks of analysis and design in the context of developing computer-based information systems; the skills to apply such theory and methodologies, and to undertake such tasks; a clear knowledge of the various requirements for a successful methodology in the field; confidence and skills to complete extended tasks using them.

By the end of the module students will have an understanding of: basic systems theory; common SAD methodologies; feasibility studies; collecting data; recording and modelling processes; recording and modelling data; interpretation of data; requirements specifications; system implementation; system maintenance. They will be able to analyse information systems in accordance with classic systems analysis techniques and to design, implement and maintain information systems/databases.

G017 Internet technologies

Time: Term 1, Mondays 14.00-17.00

Module tutor: Hamid Jamali

The delivery of content and information via electronic communication is becoming increasingly dynamic and device-driven. This course introduces students to the basic concepts of markup (including the Extensible Hypertext Markup Language XHTML), website structuring and design, and the issues involved in generating and delivering content dynamically. Topics include the syntax of hypertext markup, cascading stylesheets, SQL, database design and integration, manipulation of images, site structuring, visual design and user interaction.

By the end of the module students will have an understanding of how content can be ported across different environments. They will be able to create valid hypertext documents and apply appropriate styling, write SQL statements to interrogate databases via a Web front-end and deliver documents over the Web to different devices. They will also be able to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of website design and implementation, especially as regards usability and accessibility for different audiences.

G018 Introduction to programming and scripting

Time: Term 1, Thursdays 14.00-17.00

Module tutor: Rob Miller

This module uses ECMAscript and its commercial variants to introduce the fundamental principles of procedural computer programming and scripting languages. It reinforces these concepts by practical application in the context of automated Web browser and document manipulation. Fundamental programming topics include data types, operators, variables, flow control via selection and iteration, arrays and objects, functional abstraction, methods and constructors, abstract data types and pattern matching. Applications include manipulation of Web document frames, browser windows and images, dynamic generation of Web documents, saving state using cookies, and form verification via regular expressions.

By the end of the module, students will have an understanding of the basic principles of procedural computer programming. They will be able to apply this knowledge in order to embed scripts within HTML documents to manipulate frames, browser windows and images, and to generate pages of HTML code dynamically. They will be able to write scripts to generate and retrieve browser cookies, and perform simple form verification using pattern matching and regular expressions.