ISD Concentration Features
- Acquisition of practical skills and experience with tools for modelling, project management, systems analysis and systems implementation
- Exploration of the possibilities, constraints and trade-offs inherent in the design, management and implementation of digital information systems and media, in the context of complex and often conflicting requirements from diverse stakeholders
- Exploration of how to create and enhance innovative, accessible and adaptable solutions to problems of information practice in constantly changing digital environments
- Engagement in readings, discussions, hands-on projects and critical debates
- Course material tied to real-life situations in business, management, health and diverse computational environments
ISD Graduates: Where are they now?
Lee Doucet (MI, Class of 2021)
Lee specialized in CIPS and HCDS. He works with an infectious disease surveillance database in the public health section of the City of Toronto’s Data Assessment and Processing Department. He was an active participant in the city’s COVID-19 response.
Pankaj Agrawal (MI, Class of 2018)
Pankaj chose the ISD concentration because it allowed him to combine his interests in technology and user-centered design principles. He is now Director of Data and Analytics at RBC Global Asset Management.
Academic Concentration Requirements
MI students enrolled in 2024 and later
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Thesis (2.0 FCEs)
- 2.5 required FCEs:
- Research Methods course (0.5 FCE)
- Reading course (0.5 FCE)
- 2.5 elective FCEs
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Co-op (1.0 FCE), plus the Co-op Independent Modules (0.0 FCE)
- 2.5 required FCEs:
- 4.5 elective FCEs
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
Year 1 required courses
In Year 1, students are recommended to complete the following mandatory ISD courses, as well as 2.0 FCEs in elective courses.
Mandatory ISD Courses
INF1339H Introduction to Computational Thinking 0.5 Credits
INF1341H System Analysis and Process Innovation 0.5 Credits
Co-/pre-requisite: INF1003 or INF1339
INF1342H System Requirements and Architectural Design 0.5 Credits
Successful completion of INF1341 is a pre-requisite
INF1343H Data Modeling and Database Design 0.5 Credits
Successful completion of INF1003 OR INF1339 is a pre-requisite
Elective Courses
INF1003H Information Systems, Services and Design 0.5 Credits
Recommended for students with minimal IT experience
Year 2 required courses
In Year 2, students are recommended to complete 3.5 FCEs in elective courses. We understand that part-time and CDP students may be in a higher year of study when they enrol in year 2 required courses.
INF2177H Information Management and Systems 0.5 Credits
Successful completion of INF1341 is a pre-requisite. It is recommended that this course be taken in year 2, after students have done other ISD courses.
MI students enrolled in 2023 and earlier
Year 1 required courses
While it is not obligatory, it is recommended that students complete all required courses for the ISD concentration in Year 1, because these courses provide foundational knowledge.
For students considering the Co-op option, all Year 1 required courses should be completed in Year 1.
INF1005H Information Workshops I 0.25 Credits
INF1006H Information Workshops II 0.25 Credits
INF1339H Introduction to Computational Thinking 0.5 Credits
INF1341H System Analysis and Process Innovation 0.5 Credits
INF1342H System Requirements and Architectural Design 0.5 Credits
INF1342H System Requirements and Architectural Design 0.5 Credits
INF1343H Data Modeling and Database Design 0.5 Credits
Year 2 required courses
If all required courses are completed in Year 1, students may complete their remaining 5.0 credit requirements by taking a combination of the following:
INF1343H Data Modeling and Database Design 0.5 Credits
INF2194Y Information Systems Design Project 0.5 Credits
INF2040H Project Management 0.5 Credits
INF2164H UX Research and Design for Video Games 0.5 Credits
INF2169H User-Centred Information Systems Development 0.5 Credits
INF2170H Information Architecture 0.5 Credits
INF2173H Information Professional Practicum I 0.5 Credits
INF2183H Knowledge Management and Systems 0.5 Credits
INF2242H Studying Information and Knowledge Practices 0.5 Credits
INF2313H Introduction to Service Science 0.5 Credits
Work Integrated Learning for ISD Students
The Faculty of Information offers a variety of work-integrated learning including the MI Co-op option and practicum courses. The Careers Services team helps students find suitable placements.
