Curriculum & Specializations – Master of Information Management (MIM)

MIM core courses provide a foundation of skills and knowledge related to information, technology, user analysis, and management. They are also opportunities for you to determine which aspects of information management you find most interesting and useful. To ensure that you can make the most of your MIM coursework, you must take these core courses during your first 18 credits.

INFM 600 Information Environments
An exploration of various models and methodologies used to capture and deploy internal and external information and knowledge in a number of settings; organizational analysis in terms of information creation, flow, sharing, conservation, and application to problem-solving; internal and external influences on the management of information and knowledge; various information flows; information management in a variety of settings.

INFM 603 Information Technology and Organizational Context
Application of communication and information technologies to support work processes, including technology-enhanced communication networks, computer-supported collaborative work, decision-support systems, interactive systems, and systems analysis. Acquisition of information systems and their integration into the organization.

INFM 605 Users and Use Context
Use of information by individuals. Nature of information. Information behavior and mental models. Characteristics of problems, task analysis, problem-solving, and decision making. Methods for determining information behavior and user needs. Information access. Information technology as a tool in information use.

INFM 612 Management of Information Programs and Services
Key aspects of management – focusing on planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The evolution of management, innovative management for the changing world, management styles and leadership, managerial planning, goal setting, and decision making. Ethical issues, designing adaptive organizations responding to change, global environment, diversity, and utilizing the appropriate technology to provide effective management of information programs and services.

Electives
MIM students are required to complete six (6) elective courses, one of which must be an advanced technology course. Advanced Technology Courses are 700-level or higher courses with a heavy technology component.

Focus Areas & Specializations
Focus areas and specializations are a way to guide students through available elective courses. Both of these options provide an opportunity to develop greater depth of knowledge and skills in a particular aspect of information management.

Specializations and focus areas are similar in many ways. The biggest difference between the two is that specializations are a fixed set of courses approved by the university. All courses in a specialization must be completed. Focus areas are more flexible than specializations, as they are suggested sets of courses for particular interest and career areas. Neither specializations nor focus areas appear on students’ transcripts or diplomas.

The program offers focus areas in:

• Cyber Threat Intelligence
• Data Science & Analytics
• Game and Entertainment Analytics
• Information Risk Management
• Smart Cities and Connected Communities

For students who entered MIM in Fall 2019 or earlier, the program offers several specialization tracks:

• Data Analytics
• User Experience
• Individualized Program Plan

If students are interested in developing a general course of study, there is an option for the Individualized Program Plan. There is also an option for the thesis track, titled Information Management Research. To see sample academic plans, please refer to the MIM program handbook.

Learning in the MIM program is not confined to the classroom. Most MIM courses involve substantial applied components in the form of individual and group projects, in-class exercises, and mini workshops. The required Capstone Experience represents the zenith of this practice-oriented focus by allowing students to work on an information management related project. The required 3-credit Capstone course involves the following components:

• INFM-737 Information Management Capstone Experience (3 credits)
  • Offered in the fall and spring semesters
  • Curriculum covers:
    • Project Requirements Gathering
    • Project Planning
    • Project Execution
    • Project Conclusion

Note that for Academic Year 2020-2021, students completing the capstone need to complete INFM-737 (3 credits) and an elective related to their specialization and/or focus area (3 credits). INFM-736 will not be offered.

More information about the capstone project course can be found here.
View the Fall 2020 MIM Capstone Showcase program.
View the Spring 2021 MIM Capstone Showcase program

Non-thesis Specializations Checklist

Thesis Specialization Checklist