Information Systems & Design (ISD)

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| ARM: Archives & Records Management | C&T: Culture & Technology | CIPS: Critical Information Policy Studies | HCDS: Human Centered Data Science | ISD: Information Systems & Design | KMIM: Knowledge Management & Information Management | LIS: Library & Information Science | UXD: User Experience Design |

ISD Concentration liaison: Prof. Maher Elshakankiri

ISD concentration overview |  Requirements | Suggested electives | Careers in Information Systems & Design |

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Learn how to analyze, design and implement the diverse array of systems used to manage all kinds of information in businesses and complex organizations, such as “Big Data” applications.

Information systems play a crucial role in today’s society. For many businesses and organizations, innovations in information processes and systems are critical for competitiveness and survival. For individuals, our personal and social lives are now mediated by an ever growing array of information systems.

As ISD professionals, you will help shape how people interact and get work done through information systems. You will lead or participate in multi-disciplinary teams to analyze, design, and implement innovative and effective information systems, while emphasizing critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaborative decision making.

Concentration features

• Engage in readings, discussions, hands-on projects, and critical debates.
• Acquire practical skills and experience with tools for modelling, project management, systems analysis, and systems implementation.
• Tie course material with real-life situations in business, management, health, and diverse computational environments.
• Learn how to create and enhance innovative, accessible, and adaptable solutions to problems of information practice, in constantly changing digital environments.
• Explore 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.

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Concentration requirements

Year 1 required courses

• INF1005H — Information Workshop I (0.25 CR)
• INF1006H — Information Workshops II (0.25 CR)
• INF1339H — Introduction to Computational Thinking (0.5 CR)
• INF1341H — Systems Analysis and Process Innovation (0.5 CR)
• INF1342H — System Requirements and Architectural Design (0.5 CR)
• INF1343H — Data Modeling and Database Design (0.5 CR)

Year 2 required courses

• INF2177H — Information Management and Systems (0.5 CR)

Electives

• Complete remaining credit requirements by taking a combination of the following:
  • Elective courses, co-op option, thesis option, or collaborative specialization (5.0 credit)
  • Take a look at our suggested electives

Students are required to complete a total of 8.0 credits for their MI degree.

Students are able to take their Year 1 required courses in Year 2 as long as it is not a pre-requisite to a Year 2 required course. It is, however, recommended that you complete your Year 1 required courses in Year 1 as they provide foundational knowledge. For students thinking about Co-op, you should complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1.

For students admitted prior to Fall 2019, please review the previous concentration requirements at the bottom of the page.

Students interested in the cross section of information and museum studies may wish to apply for the Combined Degree Program (CDP) to explore areas such as digital cultural heritage, cultural information policy, the intersection of cultural memory institutions (libraries, archives and museums), digital curation, among other interests. The CDP allows students to complete both MI + MMSt degrees in three years.

Quick links to resources:

• Course descriptions
• Course timetables
• Enrolment & Registration

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Careers in Information Systems & Design

Students looking to engage in hands-on experience, widen their professional network and engage in professional development should connect with our Careers Services. The Faculty of Information offers a variety of work-integrated learning opportunities such as: MI Co-op option, practicum, Toronto Academic Libraries Internship Program (TALint), job shadowing, and ask-an-alum.

We encourage our students to engage widely in various professional circles and broaden your horizons beyond disciplinary boundaries. Our students, alumni and faculty are members of many professional associations. Our strong ties, built over many years, with these institutions keep us all abreast of the latest trends in the industries. Throughout the year, you may find representatives and members of these associations taking active roles in assisting our students by providing relevant industry insights and networking opportunities. Please visit our Student Experience & Life page on student councils, clubs and associations that our students engage and participate actively in.

Due to the proliferation of technology, almost all sectors and types of organizations seek professionals who can translate data and information challenges into meaningful and efficient information systems. Work can be done in-house for an organization or for external clients.

Who hires our ISD graduates?

Our alumni work in a wide range of organizations and industries, including: financial services, technology, health care, law, government, marketing and communications, non-profit and more.

Sample employers include: Bank of Canada, Baycrest, Canadian Institute for Health Information, CIBC, City of Toronto, Deloitte, IBM, Idea Couture, Kobo Inc., MacLaren McCann, Microsoft, Nestle, Ontario Public Service, Open Text, Oracle, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Razorfish, Rogers Communications, St. Michael’s Hospital, TD Financial Group, TELUS, University of Toronto, and many others.

Sample roles include:

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