Postgraduate Courses Library and Information Science Academic excellence for business and the professions
Mar 28, 2016
Postgraduate Courses
Library and Information Science
Academic excellence for business and the professions
ContentsWelcome 1LibraryandInformationScience 2LibraryandInformationScienceatCityUniversityLondon 4StudyingintheheartofLondon 6ResearchinLibraryandInformationScience 7LibraryandInformationSciencecourses 8Coursemodules 10Whatnext? 12Keyfaculty 13Howtoapply 14Fundingyourpostgraduatestudy 15Accommodation/Internationalstudents 16Mapandcontacts 17
Welcome
Nothing of our familiar world would function without the conscious management of the processes which make up the chain of information communication; the transfer of information from a creator to a user. Without organisation, we are lost.
The information profession sits at the heart of all cultural, commercial, educational and industrial activities today. It is not only a growth area in itself, but one that is essential for economic growth and development worldwide. The information profession demands a constant supply of highly skilled specialists, able to think creatively and intellectually, and who are flexible enough to continually adapt to our shifting technological and economic horizons.
Here at City University London, we are extremely proud of our longstanding contribution to library and information science as a discipline and as a profession. Our graduates have an enviable reputation worldwide and we welcome those of you who wish to join us on one of our Masters courses which will equip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to embark on a career in a sector which spans human development from the earliest records to the latest scientific discovery.
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Library and Information Science
Thestoryofdocumentsisinextricablylinkedwiththatofwriting;perhapsmoresurprising,isthatforaslongaspeoplehavescratchedoutdocumentaryrecords,theyhaveattemptedtoorganisethem.Frombasiccategorisations,tocontentslistings,shelflistings,titlesummariesandreferencelists,theinhabitantsoftheancientworldunderstoodtheneednotjusttorecord,butalsotoorganise.Thevalueoforganisingandstoringdocuments,sothatthoseofrelevancecouldbereadilyretrieved,wasrealisedover5,000yearsagowhenhumanityfirstbegantowrite.Inancienttimes,theartofreadingandwritingwaslimitedtothosewithpowerandintellect.Intoday’smoreegalitarianinformationsociety,informationorganisationandretrievalisfundamentaltomostofourworld.Indevelopedsociety,itisimpossibletoimagineevenasingledaywithouttheneedforsearchandretrieve.
Documentsareourcontainersforthepersistentword.Often,werefertothecontentsofdocumentsasinformation,sometimesweusethetermknowledge.Whilstthesetermscanbeusedinterchangeably,thedebateaboutwhatisinformationandwhatisknowledgeislongstanding,andalthoughmanydefinitionsexist,noneareregardedasdefinitive.
LibraryandInformationScienceisconcernedwiththeorganisationofdocuments;thestorage,indexingandretrievalofinformation.Infact,libraryandinformationscienceembracesallaspectsofinformationcommunication.Itconsidersthemanagementandhandlingoftheentiredocumentspectrumfromtheearliestclaytabletstothelateste-book,video,datafileorrecord.Whilstitisusualtoconsiderelectronicandmultimediatextsincontemporarycollections,libraryandinformationsciencepushesfurtherattheboundariesofdocumentdefinitiontoencompassthemulti-formatdigitalworld,andtheconvergenceoflibrarieswithgalleries,archivesandmuseums.E-science,open-dataandthedigitalhumanitiesoffernewfrontiersforinformationspecialists,bringingtheopportunitytoworkwiththemostcontemporaryformsofinformationresources.
Documents provide the record that underpins our entire human civilisation. Without documents, our external memory, civilisation as we understand it, would not exist. Every day would begin anew, with no more detailed reference to the past than that afforded by the recollections of those present at any given time. History would repeat itself irrespective of the possibility to avoid past mistakes, and the wheel would always have to be reinvented. Who we are, what each of us achieves, discovers or owns, would all be lost to time, and no one would be able to build on what was discovered before, or to paraphrase Newton, to “see further by standing on the shoulders of giants”.
Informationmanagement,fromitscreation,throughdissemination,governance,indexingandretrievaltofinaluse,iscentraltoourglobalsocietytoday.Itisaspersonalasitisprofessional.Allofusowndiaries,financialrecords,letters,essays,reports,music,photographsandvideosasdigitalfiles-formsofdocumentswhichweinstinctivelystoreandorganise.
Intheprivateandpublicsectors,informationmanagementiscentraltobusinessesworldwide:fromorganisationandindexingofinternalcollectionsthroughmetadata,specialistvocabularies,andinformationarchitecture,toinformationpolicy,riskmanagement,marketinganddesign.
Inthemedia,informationissuessuchasprivacy,dataprotection,freedomofinformation,surveillance,electronichealthrecords,hacking,identitytheft,copyright,piracyandsocialmediaallinciteinterestandemotions.
TheancientdisciplineandpracticeofLibraryandInformationSciencesitsattheheartofthe21stcentury,wheninformationtouchesusall,injustabouteverythingwedo.
Library and Information Science is concerned with the organisation of documents; the storage, indexing and retrieval of information.
Left Literature saving the past from destruction by Time. Louis de Guernier @ 1700. © Wellcome Images, London
Above Clay tablet 3300BC–3100BC — Cuneiform script. © Trustees of the British Museum
Below Amazon Kindle
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Library and Information Science at City University London
Provenance
LibraryandInformationSciencehasalonghistoryatCityUniversityLondon.Thefirstcoursesininformationsciencewereinstigatedin1961byJasonFarradane,whoiscreditedwithfirstusingthephrase‘informationscience’.TodaytheCentreforInformationScience(partoftheSchoolofInformatics)comprisesavibrantresearchcommunity,andoffersbothMastersandPhDcourseswithinthediscipline.Ourinternationallyrenownedstaffarecommittedtoexcellenceinresearchandstudent-centredteaching,andworkcloselywithpractitionerstoensureourgraduatesarepreparedfortheworldofworkbythoseleadinginformationpracticetoday.
Employment
Thecloselinkbetweentherigorousacademicbackgroundprovidedbyourfaculty,combinedwiththeinputofbestpracticefromleadingprofessionalsbasedinandaroundLondon,ensuresthatourgraduatesarehighlysoughtafterbyemployersbothwithintheUKandabroad.Figuresfrom2010showthatover80%ofourgraduateswereinemploymentwithinsixmonthsofcompletingtheirstudy.*
*HESAstatistics,2010,forSchoolofInformaticspostgraduatestudents.
International
CityUniversityLondongraduatesinLibraryandInformationScienceareemployedallovertheworld.Ouroutstandingreputationforacademicexcellence,coupledwithourcentralLondonlocationattractsmanyinternationalcourseparticipants.During2011–12,50%ofstudentsonourLibraryandInformationSciencecourseswerefromoutsidetheUK.
Uniqueness
WecontinuallystrivetounderstandanddefineLibraryandInformationScienceinacontemporarycontext.Wehaveauniquefocusonthehistoryandphilosophyofinformation,andwearealsowellknownforouremphasisontheunderstandingandapplicationoftechnologyandthedigitalenvironmenttoinformationhandling.Researchisattheheartofourcoursecontentandresearchskillsareaprominentfeatureonourcurriculum.
Wepromotesynergyamongstthemanagementofdiverseinformationcollections,including:printedmaterials,electronicdocumentsandrecords,museumcollections,galleryartefactsandarchivalitems.
Ourcontentembracestheliberalarts,andtakesadeliberatelybroadapproachinordertomeetthedemandsofemployersforprofessionalswithflexibleskillsandanabilitytothinkcriticallyinarangeofcareers.Webelievelife-longlearningisessential.
Research
ResearchinLibraryandInformationScienceatCityUniversityLondonhasbeenratedexcellentinalltheHigherEducationFundingCouncil’sresearchassessmentexercises.Allofourstaffmembersareresearchactivewithextensivepublicationrecords.OurCentreattractsaninternationalcohortofthoseundertakingresearchfortheirPhD.
Student-focused education
Weunderstandthatundertakingapostgraduatecoursedemandsahighlevelofcommitmentinbothtimeandmoney.Westrivetoensurethateachofourstudentsreceivestheeducationthattheydeserve,andthattheinvestmenttheymakeisrewardednotjustinacademicexcellenceandemployment,butalsointhepersonalandprofessionallinksformedduringthetimespentoncampus.
Weengageinacontinuousprofessionaldialoguewithourstudents,usingweeklyfeedbacktorapidlyidentifyandresolveanyissues.Wevaluethethoughtsandopinionsofourstudents,andencourageconstructivesuggestionsforimprovingourcontentanddelivery.
Resources
Oursubjectlibrarianisanintegralmemberofourcourseteam,andweareabletoconstantlyupdateourcollectionsandlibraryservicestomeetthedemandsofourstudentcohort.OurexcellentrelationshipwiththeUniversitylibraryenhancestheexperienceofourstudentsinaccesstoresourcesandstateoftheartservices.
OurcentralLondonlocationprovidesreadyaccesstosomeoftheworld’smosthighlyprizedcollectionsandleadinginformationpractices.Ourcoursesattractspeakersofthehighestcalibreandourstudentsenjoyunrivalledsupportastheyprogresstowardsbecomingtheinformationleadersoftomorrow.
Professional accreditation
AllofourcoursesareaccreditedbytheCharteredInstituteofLibraryandInformationProfessionals(CILIP).CILIPaccreditedcoursesarerecognisedbytheAmericanLibraryAssociation(ALA),andTheAustralianLibraryandInformationAssociation,whichmeansthatourgraduatesarequalifiedtoapplyforpostsrequiringprofessionallevelqualificationsinthesecountries.
Forfurtherinformation,pleasevisitwww.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/pages/overseas.aspx
Our internationally renowned staff are committed to excellence in research and student-centred teaching, and work closely with practitioners to ensure our graduates are prepared for the world of work by those leading information practice today.
Above College Building,City University London, St John Street, London
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Studying in the heart of London
Research in Library and Information Science
Research undertaken by the Centre for Information Science supports and informs our Masters courses, and our PhD programme. All our staff are research-active, with extensive publications listings; their interests include history and philosophy of information, information resources, information behaviour, organisation and retrieval.
Researchanddevelopmentofteninformspractice,buttheprocessisusuallycyclical,withideasforresearchstemmingfrompracticetoo.Manypractitionercolleaguesarealsoresearch-active,andcollaborationwiththemformsavaluablelinkbetweenintellectualprogresswithinthediscipline,andexcellenceinpractice.
ManyofourMastersstudentsareinterestedinaspectsofserviceevaluation,development,andpromotionofinformationliteracyfortheirdissertations,andthisprovidesadirectlinkbetweentheacademicfocusofourMasterscoursesandprofessionalpractice.
WehavealivelyPhDcommunity,comprisingbothfull-timeandpart-timestudentswhomwevaluefortheirenthusiasm,originalityandcommitmenttoourdiscipline.Ourresearchstudentshavetheopportunitytodeveloptheirteachingandcommunicationskillsbyparticipatinginthedeliveryofourtaughtmodules,andtheirinputtoourcoursesaddscurrency,depthandrelevance.
Currentareasofdoctoralresearchinclude:slowinformation,informationgovernanceandrisk,informationbehaviourofdistancelearners,knowledgeorganisationandmusicology,communicationofpharmaceuticalinformationandtheclassificationoftheoreticalentitiesinthegeneontology.
Pleasegetintouchifyouwouldliketoworkwithus.
www.city.ac.uk/informatics/school-organisation/department-of-information-science/research/phd-research-studies
London is unsurpassed as a financial, legal, scientific, technical, medical and media nexus, where access to the right information at the right time underlies its very existence. This invigorating environment attracts many top information professionals, keen to develop and enhance practice to encompass new forms of document and to address the challenges thrown up by the unrelenting march of technology, as well as fluctuations in social, political and economic trends.
1. Clock at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich 2. Decorative columns and pillars, Victoria and
Albert Museum3. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament4. London streets5. National Gallery, Trafalgar Square.
TheseatoftheUKparliament,Britain’srichhistorical,multiculturalheritageisreflectedinLondon,withitsoutstandingcollectionsofdocumentsandartefactsassembledacrosstime.InstitutionssuchastheNationalArchives,theBritishLibrary,BritishMuseum,theVictoriaandAlbertMuseumandtheNationalGalleryaremerelyasampleoftheworld’sforemostinstitutionssitedinthecapital,allleadingthewayinthefieldofinformationmanagement.
TheproximitytoawealthofcollectionsandpractitionersiscertainlyofbenefittothosewishingtostudyLibraryandInformationScienceinLondon,throughvisits,expertspeakers,externallecturesandopportunitiestogainexperiencefromshort-termvolunteerpostsifdesired.
Withitstraditionofhighereducationandfacilitiesforstudents,forbothstudyandleisure,Londonhasanenviableinternationalreputation.ThecityattractsthebrightestandthebestfromboththeUKnationallyandfromtheinternationalstudentpopulation.
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David HaynesDate Protection and Social Networking Servoces
Research Student
David Haynes is an experienced information manager currently enrolled as a part-time research student at City University London. He is researching ways in which access to personal data on social networks is regulated. His research is investigating different models of regulation to assess whether the current European legislation is effective for regulating this aspect of social network services. It is compared to other modes of regulation (such as Lessig’s Code, Norms and Markets) using risk as a basis for comparison. One strand of his research analyses employers’ policies on use of social networking services in the workplace.
Andrew RobsonModelling information behaviour in the context of evidence-based clinical practice
Visiting Lecturer and Research Student
This research examines the practical value of conceptual models of information behaviour. From analysis of existing models a new more comprehensive model of information seeking and communication has been developed. The validity of the new model is now being tested through empirical research in the health care environment. It is hoped that the findings will not only endorse the value of conceptual models but also provide insights into ways of improving information management in evidence-based clinical practice.
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Library and Information Science courses
Choosing a course
Manystudentswonderwhichcoursetheyshouldchoose.Whilstitisimpossibletoofferafool-proofformula,thechoicebetweenLibraryScienceandInformationScienceisreallyoneofwhetheryouaremoreinclinedtowardsgenerallibrary/informationservices,ortowardssubjectspecificinformationskills.Thetwoarenotmutuallyexclusive,andaglanceatcurrentjobdescriptionswillshowthatthebodyofknowledgeforlibraryprofessionalsandinformationspecialistshasacommonbasis.
Forthosewithabackgroundin,andideallyworkexperiencewithintheculturalsector,(e.g.artlibraries,galleries,museumsandarchives)ourInformationManagementintheCulturalSectorcoursemaybesuitable.ThiscoursesuitsthosewishingtoundertakeLibraryandInformationScienceroleswithinavarietyofculturalinstitutions,suchasartandmusiclibraries,aswellasgalleries,archivesandmuseums.
ForfurtherinformationaboutourMasterscourses,pleasevisitwww.city.ac.uk/lis
ToapplyforoneofourMasterscoursesclickon“HowtoApply”fromanyofourcoursewebpages.
Duration & assessment
• Full-time: 12 months• Part-time: up to 28 months (daytime)
Allcoursesareassessedbyamixtureofcourseworkandexamination,plusaprojectdissertation.StudentssuccessfullycompletingeightmodulesandthedissertationwillbeawardedaMasterofScience(MSc)oraMasterofArts(MA)degree.*AllmodulesaresupportedbytheUniversity’sonlinelearningenvironment.E-learningsupportallowssomeflexibilityinstudy.
Thecoursesarebuiltaroundasharedstructureandhaveseveralmodulesincommon.Studentsareusuallyabletotransferbetweenthesecoursesduringtheirfirstterm.
*Awarddependentonspecificcoursetaken.
Entry requirements
TheminimumentryrequirementisagoodsecondclassHonoursdegreefromaUKuniversity,arecognisedequivalentfromanaccreditedinternationalinstitutionoranequivalentprofessionalqualification.Previousrelevantprofessionalexperiencewillalsobeconsidered.ApplicantsshouldalsohavegoodprofessionalEnglish.ForthosestudentswhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglish,oneofthefollowingqualificationsisalsorequired:
• IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in writing for MSc Information Science only)
• TOEFL (internet-based): 100.
Please note:StudentsapplyingforMSc/MAInformationManagementintheCulturalSectorshouldalsobeabletodemonstratecommitmenttoacareerintheculturalsectorthroughpreviousworkorvolunteerpositions.
MSc Information Science
InformationScienceisconcernedwithallaspectsofinformationmanagementwithinaspecificsubjectarea,suchaslaw,business,musicorhealthcare,perhapsinvolvinganinformationtechnologysolutionfordatahandling.
Students each take seven core modules, plus one elective module:
Core modules•Libraryandinformationsciencefoundation•Informationmanagementandpolicy•Informationresourcesandorganisation•Informationretrieval•Informationdomains•Digitalinformationtechnologyandarchitecture•Researchevaluationandcommunicationskills.
Elective modules (Electivemodulesrunaccordingtocircumstances,andtimetableclashesmaysometimesoccur)•Librariesandpublishinginthe
informationsociety•Webapplicationsdevelopment•Datavisualisation•Opensourcesystems•Informationlawandpolicy•Independentstudy.
We offer three inter-related Masters courses, which aim to develop the broad information management skills that are highly sought after by the profession today. Our well-known, academic courses share a focus on information: its origins, organisation, flows and use; its changing nature and its impact on society. Each of our three courses consists of eight taught modules of 15 credits each, plus a dissertation worth 60 credits.
MSc/MA Library Science
LibrarySciencefocusesonthemanagementofaspecificcollectionofinformation,foranintendedaudience.Thecollectionmaybeprint-basedand/orvirtual.
Students each take seven core modules, plus one elective module:
Core modules•Libraryandinformationsciencefoundation•Informationmanagementandpolicy•Informationresourcesandorganisation•Digitallibraries•Librariesandpublishinginthe
informationsociety•Digitalinformationtechnologyandarchitecture•Researchevaluationandcommunicationskills.
Elective modules (Electivemodulesrunaccordingtocircumstances,andtimetableclashesmaysometimesoccur)•Informationdomains•Webapplicationsdevelopment•Informationlawandpolicy•Independentstudy•Digitalcultures*•Audiencesandmarketing*•Educationandtrainingintheculturalsector*•Programminganditsmanagement*•Evaluation,politicsandadvocacy.*
*TheseoptionsarerunbytheCentreforCulturalPolicyandManagementandsubjecttotheirtimetablingandadministration;thesemodulesmayoccasionallybefull.
MSc/MA Information Management in the Cultural Sector
OurInformationManagementintheCulturalSectorcoursecombinesinformationmanagementwithculturalpolicymodules,relatinginformationskillstolibraryandinformationworkinthisspecificsector.(ThiscourseisrunjointlywiththeCentreforCulturalPolicyandManagementwithintheSchoolofArts).
In Information Management in the Cultural Sector, students study four modules from the School of Informatics and four from the Centre for Cultural Policy and Management. Seven of these are compulsory and one is elective.
Core modules•Libraryandinformationsciencefoundation•Informationresourcesandorganisation•Digitallibraries•Digitalinformationtechnologiesandarchitecture•Culture,policyandmanagement–frames
ofreference*•Culturalportfolio:criticalimmersionand
professionaldevelopment*•Digitalcultures.*
*ThesemodulesarerunbytheCentreforCulturalPolicyandManagement.
Please notethatanyoneofthecoremodulesfromtheSchoolofInformaticsmaybeswappedforIndependentStudyifanappropriatecaseismade.
Elective modules (Electivemodulesrunaccordingtocircumstances,andtimetablingmaybesubjecttochange)•Audiencesandmarketing•Communication,fundraisingandadvocacy•Comparativeinternationalmodelsof
culturalpolicy•Culturalplanning•Currentsofcriticism•Educationandlearningintheculturalsector•Financialplanningandentrepreneurialism•Evaluation,politicsandadvocacy•Managingorganisations•Managingpeople•Post-colonialagendas:thecultureofpolitics•Programming•Contemporaryukculturalpolicy.Note:Eachcoursemaybetakenoveroneyear
full-time,orbetween24–28monthspart-time.
Email enquiries:pgenquire@ soi.city.ac.uk
Find out more now:www.city.ac.uk/lis
Phone enquiries:+44 (0) 20 7040 0248
NEXT STEPS
Open Evenings:Visit www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate
How to apply:Refer to information on page 14
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Course modules
Brief details of our modules are given below. We have not described all the Centre for Cultural Policy modules due to lack of space, but further details of these can be found at www.city.ac.uk/lis
Please note that module content is indicative only, and subject to change.
Library and information science foundation
Givesathoroughintroductiontotheprinciplesandconceptsoftheinformationsciences,andshowsthatthesefoundationsunderpinthepracticeofinformationscience,librarianship,andotherinformationdisciplines.Emphasisisplacedonahistoricalperspective,andoncurrentandfuturedevelopments,showinghowbasicprinciplescanbeusedtomakesenseofcomplicatedandchangingissues.
Information resources and organisation
Givesanunderstandingoftheprinciplesandpracticeoftheorganisationofinformationandknowledge.Topicscoveredincludemetadata,cataloguingandresourcedescription,classificationandtaxonomy,subjectheadingsandthesauri,indexingandabstracting,andconstructionofcontrolledvocabularies.
Information management and policy
Introducestheprinciplesofthemanagementofinformationresourcesofdiversekindsinavarietyofenvironments,andthestrategiesandpolicieswhichmakethispossible.Emphasisisonthespecificissuesofthedisciplineswhichmanageinformationanddocuments:informationresourcemanagement,knowledgemanagement,recordsmanagementandarchiving,collectionmanagementetc.
Information retrieval
Providesabroadintroductiontodocumentaryinformationretrieval,andtotheevaluationofinformationretrievalsystems.Topicscoveredincludeinformationretrievalmodels,searchstrategyandtactics,bibliographicretrieval,OPACs,websearch,mobileinformationretrieval,imageandsoundretrieval,implementationandevaluationofretrievalsystems.
Digital libraries
Introducesandexemplifiestheprinciplesofdigitallibraries,intermsoffunctions,servicesandcharacteristics,creationandmanagement,digitisationandpreservation,accessandinterfaces,search,andevaluation.
Digital information technologies and architecture
Providesthetechnicalbackgroundrequiredtostore,structure,manageandshareinformationeffectively.Topicsinclude:introductiontocomputing,internetandweb,databasesystemsandsearching,Web2.0technologies(blogs,wikis,etc.),semanticwebandinformationarchitecture.
Research evaluation and communication skills
Providesknowledgeandskillswhicharerelevantintheacademicenvironment,intheworkplaceandforlifelonglearning.Topicscoveredinclude:natureofresearchandevaluation;researchmethods,includingsurveys,systemandserviceevaluation,systemdesign,anddeskresearch;dataanalysis;literatureanalysis;writtenandoralcommunication;ethicalissues;projectmanagement.
Libraries and publishing in the information society
Thismoduleexaminesourcontemporaryinformationsociety,andconsiderstheimpactoffactorsforchangeontheneedfor,anddeliveryof,libraryandinformationservices.Itwillconsiderhowwedefinethe‘informationsociety’,howandwhyitischanging,andhowfactorsforchangeaffectpublicationanddisseminationofrecordedinformationandhumaninformationbehaviour.Armedwiththisinsight,wearethenabletoevaluatecurrentlibraryandinformationservicesandunderstandwhatchangescouldbebeneficial,oressentialtoenableinformationneedstobemetnowandinthefuture.
Information domains
Providesanunderstandingofinformationprovisioninavarietyofdomains,includingacademicsubjects,professionaldisciplinesandeverydayandleisuretopics;givesaninsightintosubject-specificinformationwork.Topicsincludeinformationinlaw,business,healthcare,andthearts,inacademicsubjectareassuchashistory,mathematics,chemistryandlanguages,foreverydayandgeneralreference.
Information law and policy
Givesanoverviewofthelawasitappliestoinformationprovision:UKandinternationallegalprinciples,dataprotection,freedomofinformation,breachofconfidence,computermisuse,dutiesofcare,governmentinformationpolicies.
Independent study
Allowsstudentstoundertakeindividualin-depthstudyofatopicwhichisnotfullycoveredbyothermodules,andwhichisappropriateforindependentliterature-basedresearch.Topicsarechosenbyagreementbetweenstudentandsupervisor.
Web applications development
Introducestheprinciplesandpracticeofbuildingdynamicwebapplications.Topicscoveredincludewebapplicationsarchitecture,markuplanguages,webserversandprotocols,connectivitywithdatabasesystems,clientsideprocessing,integrationofcomponentsinafunctionalapplication.
Open source systems
Providesanoverviewofopensourcesystems,includinginformationsystemsandlibrarymanagementsystems,andtheirdeployment,focusingonhumanaspectsandoncollaborativeaspectsofdevelopment.
Data visualisation
Apractical‘hands-on’module,whichequipsstudentswiththetechnicalanddesignskillstocreateandusedatavisualisationapplicationsforuseinworkplaceandresearchenvironments.Includesprinciplesofgoodinformationdesign,andguidelinesforthedatavisualisationworkflow.
Cultural portfolio: critical immersion and professional development
ThismoduleencapsulatestheethosoftheMAandsetsitinaprofessionalcontext.Itcomprisesoftwocomponents:•onecomponentenablesyoutodeviseyourown
pathwayplanthroughtheMA(inconsultationwithyourtutor)toprepareyouforyoursubsequentcareer
•theothercomponentencouragesyoutoimmerseyourselfwithinyourchosenareaofculturalactivitythroughwritingaseriesofcriticalreviews.
Asculturalsectorprofessionals,younotonlyneedtoknowaboutartsandculturalinstitutions,butmustbeacompetentwriterandpresenter.Learningtowriteandcommunicateisimportant.Itteachesthinking—theorganisationandstructuringofideasintoacoherentargument.
Culture, policy and management – frames of reference
Thismodulespecificallyaddressesthequestions:whatismeantbyculture;whatispolicy;whatismanagement;andwhatistherelationshipbetweenthem?Itprovidesyouwithframesofreferenceforthestudyandunderstandingofculture,policyandmanagementwithinthecontextoftheUKculturalsectorinparticular.Itfocusesonissuesthatinformideasaboutculture,governance,policyandmanagement;identifieskeytextsthatarecentraltocurrentdebates;andintroducesyoutoanalyticalandcriticalskillsthatarefundamentaltoworkingintheculturalsector.Thecontemporarycontextissetwithinahistoricaloverviewofthedevelopmentofculturaltheoryandpolicypractice.
Digital cultures
Inthismoduleyouwillexploretheclaimsbeingmadeforso-called‘new’mediainculture.Dotheyrepresentashifttowardsmoredemocraticandparticipatoryengagement?Whathappenstothewhenandwhereofthisengagement?Howispolicychanginginordertoreflectthisparadigmshift?Whataretheimplicationsforculturalmanagers?Youwillexplorethesequestionsusingpracticalexamples.
Email enquiries:pgenquire@ soi.city.ac.uk
Find out more now:www.city.ac.uk/lis
Phone enquiries:+44 (0) 20 7040 0248
NEXT STEPS
Open Evenings:Visit www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate
How to apply:Refer to information on page 14
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What next? Key faculty
Chris CrawfordMSc Library Science
“AsaninternationalpostgraduatestudentIcouldnothavebeenmorepleasedwiththeLibrarySciencecourseofferedatCityUniversityLondon.Asmanypotentialstudentsmaybeaware,informationscienceisanalreadyexpansivefieldwhichiscontinuingtogrowataphenomenalrate.Duetothisitwasimperativetomethatthecourseofferthewidestpossiblescopeintermsofthematerialcovered.IndeedthisisexactlywhatCityprovides.
“InadditiontoaccreditationfrombothCILIPandALA,theLibrarySciencecourseatCityoffersafirmgroundingintheoverridingprincipleswhicharesomuchattheforefrontofthisfield.Whiletraditionalaspectsofthelibraryprofession,suchascataloguingschema,areinastateofconstantrevisionandchange,theintellectualandphilosophicalgroundingwhichCityoffersintheoverridingprinciplesremainrelevantandindeedparamountdespitesignificantchangestothefielditself.
“Truthfully,theLibrarySciencecourseteachesonetothinklikeaninformationscientistratherthanmerelyteachingonetheprofession.Indoingsostudentsaretrulygiventhetoolstosucceedintheirprofessionalcareers.Whiledeservingofmuchmorethenameremention,theLibraryandInformationScienceteachingandsupportstaffareofthehighestqualityandconsistentlydisplayadesiretogoaboveandbeyondinhelpingtheirstudentssucceed.Infacttheyarethemostimportantfactorinthecreationandmaintenanceofthehigh-levelofacademicqualityassociatedwiththisprogramandwillquicklybecomethestudents’mostimportantandindispensableresource.Icouldnotrecommendthiscoursemorehighly.”
Cheryl MulhollandMSc Library Science
“Thedecisiontoaddtoandbroadenmyskillsbyreturningtoacademicstudy,withinanewprofessionalareawasaconsideredone.CityUniversityLondon’smodulecontentandcoursestructureprovidedagoodbalancecoveringfoundational,technological,research,andprofessionalaspectsoflibraryscience.Iappreciatedtheefficient,prompt,andhelpfulrepliesfromtheSchoolofInformaticssecretaryandcoursesupervisor,initiallyand,throughoutthecourse.UndertakinganMSccoursewasapersonalchallengewhereIgainedinvaluablenewskillsi.e.relevancesearchingofdatabases.”
Julia FloodMSc Library Science
“IchosetostudyLibraryScienceatCitybecauseofthecourse’sexcellentreputationfordevelopingstudents’knowledgeandskillsinthefieldofinformationorganisationandretrieval.AcademicstaffwereveryencouragingandIbenefittedfromgreatfeedbackthroughoutprojectsandevenaftertheconclusionofmystudies.
“Lecturesbyindustryexpertsarearealassettothiscourse,astheyexplorecareerdevelopmentopportunitiesuniquetotheLibraryandInformationSciencejobmarket.Also,modulesthatfocusedondevelopingwork-relatedskills,suchasprojectmanagement,gavemetheconfidencetoapplyformorechallengingjobsupongraduating.”
Prof. David BawdenProfessor of Information Science
DavidisProfessorofInformationScience,andhasbeenwiththeUniversityfor20years.Beforethisheworkedininformationservicesforpharmaceuticalresearch,andhasaconcernfortherelationsbetweenresearchandpractice.Hisparticularinterestsareinthehistoryandphilosophyoftheinformationsciences,knowledgeorganisation,digitalliteracy,individualinformationbehaviour,andscientificinformation.HeisamemberoftheCouncilofASLIB,theAssociationforInformationManagement,andtheeditorofJournalofDocumentation,theleadingEuropeanjournaloflibrary/informationscience.David’sblogcanbefoundatwww.theoccasionalinformationist.com
Dr. Lyn RobinsonProgramme Director
LynisProgrammeDirectorforLibraryandInformationScienceatCityUniversityLondon.Shejoinedthepermanentstaffin2004,andisawellknownwriterandpresenterwithinthediscipline.Shehasawealthofinternationalexperience,withafocusonunderstandinganddefiningLibraryandInformationScience,andoncurriculumdesign,developmentanddelivery.SheispassionateaboutprofessionalliaisonandtheinvolvementofleadingpractitionersinMasterseducation.Lyn’sacademicinterestsincludeinformationresourcesandcommunication,andsheistheauthorofUnderstandingHealthcareInformation.Lynalsowritesatwww.thelynxiblog.com
Truthfully, the Library Science course teaches one to think like an information scientist rather than merely teaching one the professionChris Crawford MA, MScSupervisor,Cataloguing-In-PublishingLibraryofCongress
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How to apply Funding your postgraduate study
Stage 1
Completing your form• Alistofourcoursesisavailableat
www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate•Stateclearlyonyourformwhichcourseyou
areapplyingforandwhichmode:fulltime,parttime
•Youmaywishtostateyoursecondandthirdpreferencecoursesshouldyoubeunsuccessfulinapplyingforyourfirstchoice.
Date of commencement•Statetheyearyouintendtocommence
yourstudies.
Personal information•Stateyourfullnameonyourformandall
encloseddocuments•Ifyouhavechangedyourname,pleaseprovide
copiesofdocumentaryevidenceofthenamechangeprocess(e.g.marriagecertificate,ordeedpolldocuments)
•Itisveryimportanttoincludeanemailaddress,especiallyifyouareanoverseasapplicant
•IfyouarebasedintheUK,alsoincludeadaytimecontact/mobiletelephonenumber.
Statement in support of your applicationThisisanimportantpartoftheapplication,andwillbegivencarefulconsiderationbytheAdmissionsTutor.Stateclearlyandindetail:•whyyouhavechosenthisparticularcourse•whatyoucancontributetothecourse•whatyouhopetodoaftercompletingthecourse.Youshouldexpecttowritebetween500and800words.Applicantswhowriteonlyafewlinesinthisspacearelikelytofindtheirapplicationsarerejected.
Please ensure that you complete all sectionsof the application form.
Stage 2
Supporting documentationReferences•Weacceptreferencesintwoformats:onthe
referenceformsandenvelopesenclosedwithyourapplication(orprintablefromtheonlineapplicationsystem),oroninstitutionheadedpaper(nophotocopies)
•Itisyourresponsibilitytoarrangereferencesfromtworefereesbeforesubmittingyourapplication
•Ifyouhavestudiedathighereducationlevelinthelastthreeyears,atleastonereferenceshouldbefromanacademicreferee
•Askeachrefereetoforwardyoutheirreferenceinasignedandsealedenvelopetoensureconfidentiality.
Transcripts•Allhome/EUandoverseasapplicantsmust
includeatranscriptoftheirfirstdegreewiththeapplication.
Overseas applicants and English•IfEnglishisnotyourfirstlanguage,youmust
supplyevidencewithyourapplicationthatyourcommandoftheEnglishlanguageissuitableforstudyatpostgraduatelevel
•YouareusuallyexpectedtohaveachievedsatisfactoryresultsineitheraTOEFLorIELTStest.Forfurtherdetailsvisitwww.city.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying-to-city
Stage 3
Submitting your applicationPleaseensurethatthefollowingdocumentsareincludedwithyourcompletedapplication:(Ifapplyingonlineyouwillhavetheopportunitytouploadcopiesofsupportingdocuments;howeveryouwillstillberequiredtosendyourreferencesbypost)•Twosealedandsignedreferences•Transcript•Englishlanguagetestresults(whereappropriate)•EqualOpportunitiesMonitoringForm.**Acopyofthisformshouldbecompletedandreturned
withyourapplication.Theinformationyousubmitontheformisconfidentialandwillonlybeusedforourmonitoringpurposes.ItwillnotbemadeavailabletotheAdmissionsTutor.
Postal applications:Pleasesendyourapplicationto:PostgraduateTeam,ProgrammesOffice,SchoolofInformatics,CityUniversityLondon,NorthamptonSquare,LondonEC1V0HB,UK.Ifyouareenclosingimportantdocuments,itiswisetosendyourapplicationbyregisteredpost,ortobesignedforondelivery.Wearenotresponsibleforapplicationswhicharesentbutnotreceived.
Online applicationsGotowww.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduateandfollowthelinkstoapplyonline.Theclosingdateforreceiptofapplicationsis1stSeptember.Wehoweverrecommendapplyingasearlyaspossible,ascompetitionforplacesisveryhigh.
What happens next?•Iffurtherinformationisrequiredwewillcontact
you(usuallybyemail)withdetails•Completeapplicationsarepassedontothe
AdmissionsTutorforconsideration•Wenormallyaimtomakeadecisionon
completedapplicationswithinfourweeksofthedateofreceiptoftheform
•Pleasenotethatwecannotmakeafinaldecisiononapplicationsuntilallsupportingdocumentationisreceived.
Scholarships and bursaries
TheSchoolofInformaticshasaselectionofPostgraduateScholarshipsatschoolandcourselevel,findoutmoreatwww.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/ scholarships-and-funding
AHRC Professional Preparation
Master’sSchemeAwards-Well-qualifiedapplicantsmaybeeligibleforanaward.Residencyrequirementsapply.
The Alex McVitty Memorial Award
TheMemorialAwardprovidesfinancialassistanceof£1,500towardslivingexpenses.Oneawardeachyearisofferedtoafulltimehomeoroverseasapplicantonthefollowingprogrammesofstudywhowishestodevelopacareerinlawlibrarianshipandcandemonstratefinancialneed.ApplicationsfortheawardshouldbementionedinacoveringlettertotheAdmissionsTutor.
•MScInformationScience•MA/MScLibraryScience
Loans
Career Development LoansUnderaschemeoperatedbytheRoyalBankofScotland,BarclaysandtheCo-operativebanks,applicantswishingtoundertakecertaincourses,lastingnolongerthantwoyears,mayborrowbetween£300and£10,000.Repaymentsaredelayedandthegovernmentpaystheinterestduringyourstudyandforonemonthafterwards.Forfurtherinformationpleasegotowww.direct.gov.uk/cdl
Other loans
Yourownbankmayofferloans.Bankssometimesprefertofinancevocationalcoursesandyoumayberequiredtodemonstratethatthecourseofstudywillimproveyourlong-termcareerprospects.
Bursaries for City graduates
CityUniversityLondongraduatesenrollingontoaMasterscourse,startingAutumn2012intheSchoolofInformaticsareautomaticallyentitledtoabursary.The‘LoyaltyBursary’schemeprovideseligibleapplicantswiththeopportunitytocontinuetheirpostgraduatestudiesatCityonselectedcoursesatareducedfee.Formoreinformationvisitwww.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgradaute/scholarships-and-funding
Working whilst studying
Part-time studentsSomeemployersmayofferfinancialsupportforpart-timestudy,usuallywhereemployeeshaveprovedtheirvalueandforstudythatrelatestotheirwork.
Full-time studentsCityUniversityLondonStudentEmploymentServicecanhelpwithinformationonpart-timeandtemporarywork.
Benefits
Claiming benefitsYoumaybeeligibleforbenefits.Astherulesarecomplex,weadvisecheckingwithyourlocalbenefitagency.Furtherinformationonanyavailablefinancialbenefitsandsupportcanbefoundatwww.direct.gov.uk/en/educationandlearning
EU/International students
Extra informationWhileyoumightbeeligibleforsomeofthefundingsourceslistedabove,youareadvisedtoexploresourcesoffundinginyourowncountryandthescholarshipsandbursariesavailablefromtheBritishgovernment(viaothergovernments).Thesesourcesoffundingareusuallyappliedforthroughyourowngovernment,notfromwithintheUK,andwillhaveclosingdatesforapplication.Forinformation,pleasecontactoneofthefollowing:
•theeducationministryinyourcountry;•yournearestBritishCounciloffice;or•theBritishCouncilEducationInformation
Service.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information and to apply for funding, visit www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/scholarships-and-funding
APPLICATION QUERIES
If you have any queries about the application process, please contact the Programmes Office at [email protected] on + 44 (0)20 7040 0248 or visit www.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate
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City University
London
Contacting usYoucancontactourPostgraduateAdmissionsteamasfollows:
Maps and contactsAccommodation/ International students
DisclaimerTheinformationcontainedinthisbrochureiscorrectatthetimeofgoingtopress(February2012).TheUniversityreservestheright,arisingfromunforeseeneventsorcircumstancesbeyondourcontrol,toaddtoorremovecourses,andtomakechangesinregulations,syllabuses,courseoptions,timetables,modulesandfeesetc,withoutpriornotice.ComplaintsconcerningtheaccuracyofinformationprovidedbytheUniversityinthisbrochureandinrelatedpublicationsshouldbemadetotheAcademicRegistrar.AnypersonswhofeeltheircomplaintshavenotbeendealtwithsatisfactorilymaywritetotheQualityAssuranceAgencyforHigherEducation.GeneralinformationabouttheUniversityincludingfees,generalentryrequirements,accommodationandsocialandwelfareservices,isgivenintheundergraduateprospectus,whichcanbeviewedororderedonlineontheUniversity’swebsitewwwcity.ac.uk/study
Design: HudsonFugglewww.hudsonfuggle.com
Postgraduate accommodation
Weoffersomeaccommodationspecificallyforpostgraduatestudents.Thisisinself-cateredfacilitieswithineasytravellingdistanceofthemainUniversitybuildings.Wealsohavesomeaccommodationsuitableforstudentswithmobilitydifficulties–letusknowifyouneedthiswhenyouapply.
Unfortunately,wecannotofferaccommodationsuitableforstudentswithpartnersorfamilies.Weadvisestudentswithfamiliesnottobringtheirdependentsuntiltheyhavefoundsuitableaccommodation.
Please note:Wedonotprovideanychildcarefacilities.
Visas
FullinformationaboutapplyingforvisastostudyatCityisonourwebsiteatwww.city.ac.uk/studentvisaandinthe‘StudyingintheUK’sectionoftheUKBorderAgencywebsiteatwww ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
InformationaboutapplyingtoextendavisaintheUKisavailableonourwebsiteatwww.city.ac.uk/ extendandinthe‘StudyingintheUK’sectionoftheUKBorderAgencywebsiteatwww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
YouareresponsibleforobtaininganynecessaryvisasandentryclearanceintotheUK.
Please note:IfyouhaveaTier4(GeneralStudentvisawhichwasissuedforstudyatanotheruniversity,collegeorschoolintheUK,youwillneedtomakeanewTier4applicationtotheUKBorderAgencyusingaConfirmationofAcceptanceforStudiesfromCitybeforeyouwillbeabletocommencestudyingwithus.
Accommodation
Depending on where you live at the moment, you may need accommodation during your time at City. We have an accommodation team within the Student Centre for all prospective and registered full-time students.
We can advise you on accommodation matters and help you find suitable accommodation:•Instudenthallsofresidencewhichare
contractedforCityUniversityLondon’susethroughindependentthird-partyhousingprovidersor
•Intheprivatesector,rangingfromsingleroomstosharedflats.
International
Visa requirements If you are coming from outside the European Union to study in the UK, you will need to obtain a visa before you travel.
How to apply for your accommodation
IfyouwouldliketoapplyfororfindoutmoreabouthallsofresidenceaccommodationpleasecontactouraccommodationteamintheStudentCentreon+44 (0)20 7040 7040orvisitourwebsitewww.city.ac.uk/visit/accommodation
Competitionforhallsofresidenceaccommodationisstrong,soitisagoodideatoapplyearly.Ifyoudon’tgetaplaceinhalls,theaccommodationteamcangiveyouinformationaboutprivatesectoraccommodation.StudentswithdisabilitieswhoareintendingtoapplyforUniversityaccommodationshouldwritedirectlytotheaccommodationteam,inconfidence,assoonaspossibleafterbeingacceptedbytheUniversity.
Support for international students
Wehavededicatedinternationalstudentadvisers,basedintheStudentCentre,whoareavailabletoofferimmigrationadviceandassistancewithvisaapplicationstoallinternationalstudentswhoarestudying,orthinkingofstudying,attheUniversity.
Forinformation,contact:T: +44 (0)20 7040 7040 E: [email protected]
Postgraduate Admissions TeamProgrammesOfficeSchoolofInformaticsCityUniversityLondonNorthamptonSquareLondonEC1V0HBUnitedKingdom
T:+44(0)2070400248E:[email protected]/informatics/postgraduate
Additional informationYoucanfindmoreinformationonourpostgraduatewebpageatwww.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate
Other Postgraduate courses within the School of InformaticsForinformationaboutotherpostgraduatecoursesrunbytheSchoolofInformatics,pleaseseeourComputingandInformationSystemsbrochureorvisitwww.city.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate
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Library & Information Science
School of InformaticsCity University LondonNorthampton SquareLondon EC1V 0HB
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 0248Email: [email protected]
www.city.ac.uk/lis