Bachelor of Information

INF 301           Introduction to Information and Power

INF 302            Integrative Approaches to Technology and Society

INF 311            Information in the Cultural Imagination

INF 312            Worlds Become Data

INF 313            Computational Reasoning

INF 314            Information, Memory, and Culture

INF 315            Information Practice in Organizations

INF 411            Information in the Global Economy

INF 412            Data Analytics

INF 413            Information Policy in Canadian and Global Contexts

INF 351            Information Design Studio I: How to Make a Computer

INF 352            Information Design Studio II: How to Design

INF 353            Information Design Studio III: Designing Interactive Systems

INF 451            Information Design Studio IV: Information Visualization

INF 452           Information Design Studio V: Coding

INF 453            Capstone Project

INF 481

Special Topics in Information Studies I (Lecture/Elective)

INF 482

Special Topics in Information Studies II (Lecture/Elective)

INF 483

Special Topics in Information Studies III (Lecture/Elective)

INF 484

Special Topics in Information Studies IV (Lecture/Elective)

Special topics courses offer in-depth examinations of selected topics in Information. These will change from year to year, and may include, for example, Surveillance, Audiences, Information and Political Activism, Critical Histories of Information Technologies, Digital Material Culture, Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning, Advanced Topics in Policy, Advanced Topics in UXD, Advanced Topics in ISD, Advanced Topics in Info and Culture.

INF 401      Practicum Prep

• Section A: Research Design in Information

          OR

• Section B: Practicum Prep for the Non-academic Workplace

INF 402      Work Integrated Learning Practicum.

Work Integrated Learning built into the program:

• Practicum
• Capstone Project
• Studio-based courses: The six studio-based courses use hands-on and experiential learning to engage and elaborate the intellectual content of the program’s lecture-based courses, while providing students with familiarity and expertise in common types of software and hardware suites

The BI’s integrative, critical, humanities and social science based approach to information technologies and practices will prepare you for vital and enriching careers in three areas.

1. Creation of information products and systems: web publishing, interactive media design, and information systems design.
2. Information policy and research: business, policy, and research analysis, and privacy and information regulatory compliance oversight.
3. Information management and cultural stewardship: library, archives, and records systems management. 

“As the role of information and data access, retrieval, and, most importantly, use in the workplace continues to evolve and change, it only makes sense for the iSchool to introduce a Bachelor of Information.  From data scientist to competitive intelligence analyst, knowledge management and digital taxonomist, the skills needed to support the modern knowledge enterprise are growing and changing at a rapid pace.  A Bachelor of Information will equip students, at a very early stage in their careers, to walk into environments with outmoded systems of information gathering, retrieval and use, and have an immediate impact.  It’s the continued evolution in an increasing changing information paradigm.”

Zena Applebaum, Director, Professional Firm Customer Segments, Thomson Reuters

“Too often technology solutions are developed without a full understanding of the information that users want and need, and how it will be used. At the Legislative Assembly of Ontario we seek employees who can integrate content and data with the right technology, who understand and can manage the information life cycle, and who are subject experts and researchers. The new Bachelor of Information program will develop the people we need now and in the future.”

Vicki Whitmell, Executive Director, Information and Technology Services Division Legislative Assembly of Ontario

“I see tremendous value in your proposed new Bachelor of Information undergraduate program. The information eco-system is more complex and fluid than ever before and for employers at traditional information-based institutions, such as the Archives of Ontario, we really need to reconsider what skills we need from our future employees. Simply drawing from the more specialized archival, library, and records management streams is likely not sufficient anymore. We need to start employing staff that also bring different skills to the mix including data and/or information integration, design based thinking, information technology, and innovative problem solving. I think the interdisciplinary approach this program is taking will serve the future information professionals well and will be a valuable pool for institutions like the Archives of Ontario to draw from especially as we evolve our business to meet the needs of today’s information sectors.”

Carrie Limkilde, Manager, Collections Development & Management, Archives of Ontario

LIMITED ENROLMENT – APPY EARLY!

The BI is a second-entry undergraduate program. Students must have completed at least 10 FCE of university credit.

Full-Time Degree Applicants who are NOT current Ontario High School Students (OUAC 105 Application)

You should complete the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC)’s 105 Application if you:

• are NOT currently attending an Ontario high school day program (in Ontario or abroad), AND
• are NOT a current or former U of T student.

In addition to the OUAC application service fee, you will be required to pay a non-refundable University of Toronto supplementary fee of $90.

Apply Online at OUAC (105 Application)

OR

Full-Time Degree Applicants Previously or Currently Registered as Students at the University of Toronto (University of Toronto Internal Application)

Use the University of Toronto Internal Application if you:

• have previously registered at the University of Toronto in a Degree, Pre-University program, or as either a Non-degree or Visiting Student (this does not include Continuing Education studies)

Note that you will need to pay a non-refundable fee of $90.

University of Toronto has contracted with the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) to provide application processing services. When you begin the application process, you will be transferred to the OUAC website where you will complete and submit your application. You will be required to create an OUAC Account (if you do not already have one). You may have only one OUAC Account. Direct any application process questions to the OUAC.

Complete a University of Toronto Internal Application for Full-Time Degree Studies

The BI is a second-entry undergraduate program. Students must have completed at least 20 half university level courses.

Other supporting documents:

Two academic letters of recommendation

• • References MUST be academic in nature, i.e. must pertain to your academic abilities, performance, aptitude, etc.
  • If you last graduated more than five years ago, you may substitute work letters of reference. Work-related referees should be direct supervisors who can comment on your skills that are useful in the academic environment.

Selecting Referees

• • Choose faculty members who you believe will give you strong references.
  • Teaching assistants or workshop instructors are generally not useful as academic referees.
  • If your referees are not currently teaching you, send them your CV, mention the course(s) you took with them, as well as anything about your work that will remind them of who you are.
  • If a referee seems vague or reluctant, find another referee.

Personal Statement

This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the selection committee, pointing out how your academics, experience (work and personal) and career goals make you an excellent fit for the Bachelor of Information program.  Think of it much like the cover letter that accompanies an employment résumé.  Submit online as a Word document or a PDF. The personal statement should address:

• Your intent in entering the BI program. What main topics, concerns and issues you would like to explore during your studies.
• Your expectations of the program and what motivates you to pursue the BI program.
• Aspects of your academic background, professional experience (e.g., work, volunteer positions, internships, etc.), and extracurricular activities that have prepared you to be successful in the BI program.

Language proficiency requirements (if applicable):

All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:
  • paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
  • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum required score of 95.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum required score of 8.0.
• English Language Diagnosis and Assessment (ELDA)/Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE) with a minimum required score of 6 and at least 3 in the writing portion.​

*All offers of admission made will be pending final approval by the Quality Council and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.