Information Science: PhD

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

The Doctoral Program

The doctoral program in Information Science is a research-oriented program in which the student chooses specific fields of specialization, prepares sufficiently in the literature and the research of those fields to pass a qualifying examination, and completes original research culminating in the written dissertation. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is conferred in recognition of a candidate's grasp of a broad field of learning and distinguished accomplishment in that field through the contribution of an original piece of research revealing high critical ability and powers of imagination and synthesis.

The I School also offers a master's in Information Management and Systems (MIMS), a master's in Information and Data Science (MIDS), and a master's in Information and Cybersecurity (MICS).

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Admissions

Admission to the PhD Program

We welcome students from a diverse set of backgrounds; some will be technically educated, some educated in the humanities and social sciences.

The I School typically accepts 3-7 PhD students each year from more than 100 applications. Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty.

Applicants are evaluated holistically on a number of factors. A strong academic record is important, but not sufficient. A critical factor is the ability to demonstrate a research record and agenda that fit well with specific I School faculty. In a small, interdisciplinary program, it is important that applicants clearly indicate in their Statement of Purpose which faculty member(s) they are interested in researching with, and why.

To be eligible to apply to the PhD in Information Management and Systems program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree or its recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.

  • Superior scholastic record, normally well above a 3.0 GPA.

  • Indication of appropriate research goals, described in the Statement of Purpose.

  • For applicants whose academic work has been in a language other than English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

  • Not required: GRE/GMAT. Starting Fall 2021, we no longer require the GRE or GMAT. We recommend you put your time and effort towards the required application materials.

Further information about I School Ph.D. Admissions can be found on the I School website. 

Applying for Graduate Admission

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. The Graduate Division hosts a complete list of graduate academic programs, departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application and steps to take to apply can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

  2. A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

  3. Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page. It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here.

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Program Design

The School of Information is an interdisciplinary school examining the design, organization, and management of information and information systems. The School of Information draws on the expertise not only of its own faculty but of the full Berkeley campus. We encourage students to take full advantage of being at this world-class University and not feel bound by disciplinary boundaries.

The PhD degree program at the School of Information is a research program. Each student is expected to work with his or her adviser to ensure that the program of study includes:

  • A thorough understanding of research methods and research design.
  • The ability to review current research critically.
  • The ability to understand emerging trends from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Expected PhD Timeline:

  • Semester 1: Identify a faculty adviser
  • Semesters 1–4: Complete breadth courses; complete major and minor requirements
  • Semester 4: Complete the preliminary research paper
  • Semester 5: Complete preliminary exam
  • Semester 6–8: Complete qualifying exam; advance to candidacy
  • Four semesters after qualifying exam: Complete dissertation and give presentation

Please refer to the School of Information website for more information.

Breadth Courses

I. Foundation
INFO 218Concepts of Information3
II. Engineering and Design
INFO 202Information Organization and Retrieval3
INFO 206AIntroduction to Programming and Computation2
INFO 206BIntroduction to Data Structures and Analytics2
INFO 213Introduction to User Experience Design4
INFO 247Information Visualization and Presentation4
INFO 251Applied Machine Learning4
INFO 253AFront-End Web Architecture3
INFO 253BBack-End Web Architecture3
INFO 256Applied Natural Language Processing3
INFO 259Natural Language Processing4
INFO C262Theory and Practice of Tangible User Interfaces4
INFO C265Interface Aesthetics3
III. Social Aspects of Information
INFO 201Research Design and Applications for Data and Analysis3
INFO 203Social Issues of Information3
INFO 214User Experience Research3
INFO 217AHuman-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research3
INFO 225Leadership and Management3
INFO 233Social Psychology and Information Technology3
INFO 271BQuantitative Research Methods for Information Systems and Management3
INFO 272Qualitative Research Methods for Information Systems and Management3
INFO 283Information and Communications Technology for Development3
INFO 288Big Data and Development3
IV. Information Economics, Law and Policy
INFO 205Information Law and Policy3
INFO 234Information Technology Economics, Strategy, and Policy3
INFO 239Technology and Delegation3
INFO 289Public Interest Cybersecurity: The Citizen Clinic Practicum3
INFO 290SSpecial Topics in Social Science and Policy2-4

Major/Minor Areas

Human-Computer Interaction
INFO 213Introduction to User Experience Design4
INFO 214User Experience Research3
INFO 217AHuman-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research3
INFO 247Information Visualization and Presentation4
INFO C262Theory and Practice of Tangible User Interfaces4
INFO C265Interface Aesthetics3
INFO 290Special Topics in Information (Advanced HCI Research and Interaction Design only)1-4
INFO 290TSpecial Topics in Technology (Biosensory Computing only)2-4
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Information Economics and Policy
INFO 234Information Technology Economics, Strategy, and Policy3
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Information Law and Policy
INFO 205Information Law and Policy3
INFO 239Technology and Delegation3
INFO 289Public Interest Cybersecurity: The Citizen Clinic Practicum3
INFO 290SSpecial Topics in Social Science and Policy (Introduction to Politics of Information and Seminar in the Politics of Information only)2-4
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Information Organization and Retrieval
INFO 202Information Organization and Retrieval3
INFO 247Information Visualization and Presentation4
INFO 251Applied Machine Learning4
INFO 256Applied Natural Language Processing3
INFO 258Data Engineering4
INFO 259Natural Language Processing4
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Information Systems Design
INFO 206AIntroduction to Programming and Computation2
INFO 206BIntroduction to Data Structures and Analytics2
INFO 251Applied Machine Learning4
INFO 253AFront-End Web Architecture3
INFO 253BBack-End Web Architecture3
INFO 255Privacy Engineering3
INFO 258Data Engineering4
INFO 256Applied Natural Language Processing3
INFO 259Natural Language Processing4
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Social Aspects of Information
INFO 201Research Design and Applications for Data and Analysis3
INFO 203Social Issues of Information3
INFO 214User Experience Research3
INFO 218Concepts of Information3
INFO 225Leadership and Management3
INFO 233Social Psychology and Information Technology3
INFO 241Experiments and Causal Inference3
INFO 271BQuantitative Research Methods for Information Systems and Management3
INFO 272Qualitative Research Methods for Information Systems and Management3
INFO 288Big Data and Development3
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor
Information and Communication Technologies and Devleopment
INFO 203Social Issues of Information3
INFO 213Introduction to User Experience Design4
INFO 214User Experience Research3
INFO 283Information and Communications Technology for Development3
INFO 288Big Data and Development3
Plus outside courses upon approval of your advisor

Related Courses

Contact Information

School of Information

102 South Hall

Phone: 510-642-1464

Visit School Website

Senior Director of Student Affairs

Siu Yung Wong

studentaffairs@ischool.berkeley.edu

Senior Director of Admissions

Julia Sprague

admissions@ischool.berkeley.edu

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