Question: I have so many questions and am so new that I don't know where to start! What should I do?

Answer: In addition to the documents mentioned above, please read the following carefully and fully:

Question: I know exactly the courses I want to take and am pretty clear about my goals. May I just enroll?

Answer: You may through the SIRLS Office and WebReg - see below.

Question: In what order do you think I should take the required courses?

Mix and match the required courses with others either from SIRLS or outside. It probably is not a good idea to take more than two courses from the required core areas in the same semester. For example, IRLS 520 Information Ethics which can be taken anytime is a good introductory first semester course along with IRLS 524 (Information Resources Evaluation).  Take IRLS 501 Organizaation of Information, IRLS 506 Research Methods, in your second semesters. IRLS 501 is not a course that you should take in your first semester.  Two courses that can precede or be taken earlier than any of the core courses are IRLS 500 Social Constructs and IRLS 504 Foundations of LIS. The courses that fulfill the Management requirements are better taken later than earlier in the program. Depending on which of the courses that fulfill the Evaluation and Management requirements you want to take, those courses should be scheduled early, midddle or late. If you have another advanced degree you may take elective or outside the department course (s) in the first semester. Some electives such as the Technology course (IRLS 588: Introduction to Information Technology) can be taken any time and is an excellent first semester choice as well.

Question: I have taken a similar course to IRLS 501. May I have 501 waived?

Answer: No, you may not. Here are our policies regarding waivers; please contact your advisor for more information.

1. Only members of faculty issue waives; in particular, only a student's advising professor issues waives.

2. Waives of core courses are extremely rare.

3. In those rare cases where a waive might seem appropriate, it should be run past the member of faculty who is responsible for the relevant subject area. These are: Anita Coleman = Organization of Information (Knowledge Structures), Bill Edgar = Management, Evaluation (Collection Development, IRL 560), Cheryl Malone = Evaluation (Reference, IRLS 524 or IRLS 622), Don Fallis = Ethics, Martin Fricke = Research Methods. And that member of faculty will liaise with the student's advisor and reach some view.

Question: What other courses do you recommend?

Question: I would like to complete the program in one year by taking 12 hours during the summer sessions, 9 hours in both the fall and spring semesters, and 6 hours the following summer. Is this practical?

Answer: Yes (if practical means can it be done). However, a related question to consider, is it wise? I would advise that it is not and encourage you to consider a 1.5 year program (three full semesters and a summer) at the minimum.

Question: It would be most convenient for me if I could fulfill the 12-hour on campus requirement at once, i.e. during this summer. Would you recommend this?

Answer: The on-campus requirement is now diffused. So, yes, with a couple of caveats. 1) You will have to enroll in IRLS 504 in your first semester.  2) Keep in mind though that many of the full-time faculty are off during the summer and hence you may not have an opportunity to interact closely or take courses with those absent full-time faculty. 3) Some 'virtual courses' are actually 'hybrid courses' and may have an on-campus requirement (weekend, or one/two days on-campus start and mid-semester). You may need to be flexible to take advantage of these.

Answer: The thesis option means that you will submit a thesis which is based on original research. The alternative to the thesis is to just take coursework. I recommend the thesis option for students who wish to gain research skills and experience; but, it really depends on your interests and career goals too. The thesis option is a lot of work (for all concerned) and so you must be self-motivated and serious about research.
If you continue to be interested in exploring the Thesis option, consult the Graduate College requirements; steps for a thesis and documents to be read are:

1. Writing a thesis: UAGC Manual for Theses and Dissertation;
2. Composition of the Thesis Committee: Composition of Doctoral Committees; Guidelines here under bottom section titled "Committee for a Master's Examination" are to be followed; clarifying, there is no MINOR, and a Master's thesis committee will typically have 3 faculty one of whom will be your Thesis Director and Chair of the Committee. This person will do the major advising/guidance work and help you select the other two committee members;
3. Oral Examination: Policies and Procedures for Master's Oral Examination. In SIRLS, the oral examination is generally limited to a defense of the thesis;
4. Registration: You must register both for thesis credits and examination credits and some details are given in the Examination;
5. Deadlines: Be very aware and pay attention to Graduate College Deadlines, especially if you have a definite timeline for graduation. Keep in mind that your advisor, committee, and other folks involved in the Thesis (besides just yourself) are busy people and "an emergency on your part will not constitute an emergency on theirs." So, be organized, communicative, and a careful long-term planner if you want to select the thesis option.

Question: I have never taken a course online and don't think my computer skills are enough for taking the SIRLS courses online. How can I improve my skills?

First, understand your learning style. URL: http://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/ILSpage.html (this is an online questionnaire and you can either take the test or just read it to understand about online learning styles) - You can also quickly use this checklist to find out if online learning is for you?

Second, understand your technology skill level. URL: http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_profile-912.html (as you read these performance indicators for Grades 9-12 students, ask yourself, do you have these skills and note your limitations?) OR use this easier checklist of skills to know your computer literacy, URL: http://www.waukeganschools.org/it/stories/storyReader$22

Third, take the tutorials as needed from the following websites.

UACBT - UA Virtual Training Center http://uacbt.arizona.edu

WebMonkey How To Library (tutorials) are my favorite when I need to learn how to do something for the web (html tutorials, web-accessible databases, etc.) - http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/

Learn the Net - http://www.learnthenet.com/english/ - is another good source for developing web skills; it's available in other languages besides English (Spanish, French, Italian). Test your Net IQ by taking their quiz, http://www.learnthenet.com/english/quiz/01quiz.htm

Fourth, take the WebCT tutorial.

Question: Are there library internships available in a locality other than U of Arizona?

Answer: Yes. Please contact the SIRLS office.  Starting August 2005 we also have an Advising and Internships Coordinator - Leslie Kunkel whom you may contact. See also the Internships page maintained by the SIRLS Office.

Question: What are the steps for doing an internship?

Answer:  Note that the steps listed below are not linear steps, but are general guidelines.  Additionally, I will not approve an internship in which you have not yet completd the coursework (for example, no cataloging internships without 401/501 at the very least) or do offer a well-written one-page work plan.  Reference desk duties do not comprise an intership.  Work plan must have deliverables, calendar of hours, milestones, clear description of tasks and experience to be gained, relationship with courses completed, and site information. Here is an example of an internship proposal by Bill Hornbacker

Step 1: Complete the coursework in the area in which you want to gain practical experience.

Step 2: Identify an internship opportunity.

Step 3: Write the plan with your site supervisor.

Step 4: Submit to advisor for approval.