Web-based Information Science Education (WISE)

Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) is a unique and groundbreaking opportunity for Pitt students to take elective online courses from other ALA-accredited programs. Leading schools have gone outside the classroom to broaden the available online educational opportunities for students. The WISE consortium uses advanced technology as a means to enrich one's education and to foster relationships among students, faculty and universities.

Participating Institutions in WISE

Long Island University	University of Maryland
Manchester Metropolitan University	University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Rutgers University	University of Pittsburgh
San Jose State University	University of Texas at Austin
Simmons College	University of Western Ontario
Syracuse University	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of British Columbia	Victoria University of Wellington
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Why be a WISE student?

Students have the opportunity to access distance education courses through WISE member schools that have met the quality bar in online education. WISE students have increased access to special topics and electives as compared to those who attend non-WISE schools.

For example, a student may access courses from a wider base of faculty and than may be normally available within their home school. A professional who is working on their degree will have greater flexibility in scheduling and have a multitude of options when considering specialized topics. The WISE student will have the ability to select from a wide array of online courses, regardless of their location, and take courses with faculty who are highly regarded in their area of expertise.

Points to consider when selecting a WISE course

What are the starting and ending dates of the course?
Does the course end after Pitt's graduation date? If so, and you are graduating, please e-mail registration@sis.pitt.edu to make sure you file for graduation for the correct semester, thus avoiding being charged a late fee.
Is the course synchronous or asynchronous?
Is there an on-campus residency requirement?

WISE @ The iSchool

As a member of the WISE (Web-based Information Science Education) consortium of schools, SIS is pleased to make WISE course offerings available to MLIS students. These online courses are taught by faculty from WISE host schools using course-management systems specific to their environment and academic calendar. You will have the opportunity to take electives of interest at other WISE schools, without having to transfer credits. You must note the varying delivery methods and academic calendars among WISE schools.

WISE Policies and Procedures

Pitt MLIS students have the opportunity to select from a wide array of online courses, regardless of their location. Approval for all students taking WISE courses rests with their home school. Because there are a limited number of spaces available in WISE courses, MLIS academic advisors must evaluate each student's qualifications according to the following guidelines:

The student meets with his or her advisor to discuss the possibility of taking a WISE course.
The student agrees to the course parameters of the host institution, including course-management tools, grading, dates of term, and any required residencies.
The course is appropriate to the student's plan of study.
The student has completed at least five (5) of the core area courses from the iSchool with a QPA of 3.5 (or has his or her advisor's approval).
The student has access to the technology necessary for completion of course.
The student has technical knowledge to complete course successfully.
The student is fluent in English.
The student may take up to six (6) elective credits in the WISE Consortium.
Student will enroll for WISE 0001 for the first WISE course, and WISE 0002 for the second WISE course in which he/she plans to enroll.
Student may not substitute any WISE course for a core requirement.

Steps for Enrolling in a WISE Course

Open the WISE website at www.wiseeducation.org.
Login with username: WISE and password: SIS.
Select the semester you are interested in from the drop-down box.
Then click on the "View Classes" button.
Click on "View Details" to bring up comprehensive information about each class.
Meet with academic advisor to discuss enrollment.
Click "Request Enrollment in This Class!" on the class detail page.
When you complete the form, a request ticket will be opened up for you by the WISE Website. The WISE coordinator will facilitate the enrollment process and give you updates via e-mail whenever there is a change in the status of your request.
When completed, click on "Logout".

After the advisor approves the student's request to take a WISE course, the request must come to Sue Alman to be submitted to WISE. The student will be accepted by WISE if space is available.

WISE Spring 2010 (2104) Course Selections

Advanced Business Information Services from The University of Illinois	LIS 590 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Competitive Intelligence from Simmons College	LIS 530M Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Female Voices in Historical Narratives from Rutgers University	17:611:543 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
GLBTQ materials for young adults from The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee	691 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Information Sources and Services in the Sciences from The University of Illinois	LIS 522 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Intellectual Freedom and Library Services for Youth from The University of Illinois	LIS 590 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Knowledge Management in Organizations from Rutgers University	17:610:574 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Legal Resources from The University of Illinois	LIS 530 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Music Librarianship & Bibliography from The University of Illinois	LIS 530 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
New Directions in Academic Libraries from Syracuse University	IST 502 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Readers' Advisory Services from The Victoria University of Wellington	INFO 560 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours
Seminar in Information Science: Information Literacy (PhD Students Only) from San Jose State University	Libr 287 Spring 2010	3 Credit Hours

WISE Fall 2009 (2101) Course Selections

Electronic Publishing: Technologies and Practices from The University of Illinois	LIS 590EPL Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Foundations of Data Curation from The University of Illinois	LIS 590DCL Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Information Services for Special Populations from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	INLS 739 Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Introduction to Biological Informatics Problems and Resources from The University of Illinois	LIS 590BIL Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Poetry for Children and Young Adults from Rutgers University	17:611:545 Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Seminar in Archives and Records Management --Topic: Oral History from San Jose State University	Libr 284 Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Seminar in Services to Youth--Topic: Intellectual Freedom and Youth from San Jose State University	Libr 267 Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Social Media for Information Professionals from The University of British Columbia	LIBR 559M Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Theological Librarianship from The University of Illinois	LIS 590TL Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours
Theory of Classification and Subject Representation from Syracuse University	IST 631 Fall 2009	3 Credit Hours