Information Technology and Informatics Experiential Learning Opportunities

The IT & Informatics major offers multiple opportunities for students who wish to deepen their understanding through applied technology coursework. Read on about the following opportunities:

• Independent Study
• Senior Honors Thesis
• Internships

An Independent Study is an individually negotiated learning program of approximately 150 hours representing a significant learning opportunity for the student. It provides a framework that allows students to design, negotiate and manage their own program of study based on their existing experience and knowledge as well as their long-term intentions.

There are three phases in the proposal submission process:

1. Complete necessary coursework
2. Find a faculty member to review your proposal
3. Submit a faculty-approved proposal application
4. Wait for approval and SPN

To be eligible to propose an IT & Informatics Independent Study you must be an IT & Informatics major with junior or senior status and have completed the following IT & Informatics foundational courses:

• 04:547:200 Social Informatics
• 04:547:201 Information Technology Fundamentals
• 04:547:202 Object-Oriented Programming
• 04:547:210 Management of Technological Organizations

An Independent Study in IT & Informatics  is arranged by presenting a proposal to a full-time faculty member in the LIS department who will be the official sponsor of your independent study. If you need help identifying a faculty sponsor you can meet with IT & Informatics Director Warren Allen to discuss the nature, objectives and outcomes of your proposed Independent Study.

With input from your faculty sponsor, you will describe the details of your Independent Study, the number of meetings and specific course requirements, and then submit the IT & Informatics Independent Study Application.

The deadline for submission is the first day of the semester in which you are hoping to execute the proposed project.

After submitting your proposal via the application, your application will be reviewed and a decision will be made before the end of the Drop/Add period. If your proposal is approved, you will receive Special Permission Number (SPN) to register for the course 04:547:460 Independent Study.

The IT & Informatics program offers a Senior Thesis option to undergraduates who excel in the major. Senior Thesis students conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty advisor and an honors thesis committee. To be eligible to apply for Senior Honors Thesis you must meet have at least a 3.4 GPA in the IT & Informatics major, a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and have passed with a C or better the following courses:

• 04:547:220 Retrieving and Evaluating Electronic Information
• 04:547:300 Application of Research in Information Technology

With input from your faculty sponsor, you will describe the details of your thesis in a research proposal sent to IT & Informatics Director Warren Allen. Students typically prepare this proposal in the semester during which they take 04:547:300 Application of Research in Information Technology, a required prerequisite course.

The deadline for submission is the first day of the semester in which you are hoping to execute your research.

After submitting your proposal to the Program Director, your application will be reviewed and a decision will be made before the end of the Drop/Add period. If your proposal is approved, you will receive Special Permission Number (SPN) to register for the course 04:547:465 Senior Thesis.

As you progress through the IT & Informatics  major, we encourage you to identify your career aspirations and learning needs and develop learning objectives and strategies consistent with those needs. An IT & Informatics internship requires 150 hours of professional workplace employment with an approved employer or organization in a corporate, nonprofit or educational setting.

Rutgers University and SC&I are committed to assisting you with making connections between your academic experience and career paths.

• Check out SC&I’s internship and career resources and career services at SC&I.
• Locate SC&I job listings via Rutgers–New Brunswick Handshake platform.
• For additional internship information, contact Assistant Director of Student Services, Ildi Koczan.

The proposal represents a formal agreement between you, the place of employment and SC&I. Download the IT & Informatics Internship Application Proposal form for:

• Internship guidelines and objectives
• How to complete and submit your proposal
• Student information
• Employer information
• Employer agreement/acceptance of internship terms

The deadline for submission for the Summer 2025 session is May 30, 2025. Submit the completed form, along with your resume and offer letter to the IT & Informatics internship coordinator Connie Pascal for review and approval. Once you receive approval, you will be assigned a Special Permission Number (SPN) to proceed with the enrollment and commence the internship.

Throughout the semester you will meet online with the IT & Informatics  internship coordinator individually and as a group with other interns. A discussion list will offer opportunities for you to describe your experiences, answer questions and learn from other students. These discussions of substantive internship experiences are expected as part of course participation.

To help you understand what is expected of you as you complete your internship, know that we provide all workplace supervisors with the following evaluation criteria:

• Summary of the duties you have undertaken
• Evaluation of performance, including your:
  • Quality of outputs
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Workplace competencies related to IT & Informatics
  • Overall workplace competencies and attitudes
• Evaluation of potential, including your:
  • Personal attributes and qualities
  • Capacity to master new skills and knowledge
  • Self-development
  • Responsiveness to feedback