Bachelor's Degree Programme in Documentation Science. Three years - 180 credits (ECTS)

I. Presentation of programme

1. Programme description
Documentation science is an interdisciplinary science based on traditions in technological development, humanities, and social science. Documentation science comprises the study of how documents are produced in different media, how they are used and organised, and these studies provide possibilities for comparisons of technological, social, and cultural aspects in different documentation processes. This programme combines theory and specific projects throughout the studies.

Documentation science is relevant for numerous areas of society where the administration of documents is important, not least libraries, museums and archives (ALM), but also publishers, other public institutions, private enterprises, or various organisations.

The programme includes the study of diverse media (sound, writing, images, analogous and digital aids), different types of documents (speeches, concerts, books, film, websites, and works of art), and various institutions (actual and virtual archives, libraries, museums, centres of culture and mass media).

2. Objectives
The programme aims to provide basic professional competence in documentation science. This Bachelors programme qualifies students for the Masters Programme.

3. Target group
The programme is relevant for students with an interest in the relations between different types of media and documents, and students who wish to work in the administration of documents in all types of institutions, companies and organisations.

4. Head of programme
The Department and Faculty Board

5. Disciplines involved
Documentation science. See also no. 8 below.

6. Admission requirements
University admission certification. Upper secondary school or college certificates or equivalent competence.

7. International exchange
Parts of the programme can be studied abroad according to the university’s exchange programmes. See entry II below.

8. Programme structure
The programme includes the following components; 90 ECTS are compulsory specialisation.

- 30 ECTS at first year level
- 90 ECTS (60 compulsory programme credits and 30 compulsory credits of specialisation in documentation science)
- 60 ECTS in optional subjects

First term studies
The first term of studies consists of Examen Philosophicum (FIL-0700) and Examen Facultatum (EXF-0720). Documentation science is one of the components in the Ex. Fac. course.

90 ECTS of compulsory programme and secialisation
60 credits at 1000-level consist of three regular 10 credit courses in spring and one 30 credit course in autumn. At 2000-level a 30 credit intermediate course qualifies the students for specialisation in some of the central disciplines of documentation science, document analysis and practical document administration.

60 ECTS of optional subjects
The optional subjects are not restricted in any way, but it is recommended that the students pursue at least 30 credits in the same discipline (humanities, social science or natural science).

9. Degree programme
This Bachelors Degree in documentation science is a three-year professional degree programme.

10. Access to further studies
The Bachelors programme qualifies students for the Masters programme in documentation science.

11. Tuition and assessments
Forms of teaching and assessment take their points of departure from the nature and content of the individual subject. The tuition is frequently connected with projects, and seminars and lectures provide basic knowledge and preparations for project work.

The students have to submit their chosen syllabus for approval at least one month prior to their first exam. Each course description includes a suggested reading list.

The assessment is based upon submitted projects, school exams and/or oral exams.

The grade scale runs from A-F.

Supplementary Exams:

1. Supplementary exams are arranged as soon as possible after the ordinary exam, normally no later than 15 September in spring   and 15 February in autumn. Candidates can resit only once for exams in any course at the beginning of the following semester.

2. In the case of deferred exams the candidate has to resit or submit again the exam(s) s/he did not pass in the ordinary exams.

3. If the exam consists of several papers (portfolio), all of them will be assessed anew in any deferred exam.
4. Home exams on chosen subjects that did not pass the ordinary assessment may be submitted once more after revision.

12. Course evaluation
The students have the opportunity to assess their tuition in all courses twice a term.
- approx. in the middle of term through consultation with or written report to the tutors involved or the course administrator.
- at the end of term through an anonymous assessment form to the tutor(s) in charge.

After the courses in Examen Philosophicum (FIL-0700) and Examen Facultatum (EXF-0720) have been completed in the first term, introductory courses to three aspects of documentation science are offered. Based on their education in these three courses during their second term the students work on a project (DOK-1016), which integrates technical, social and cultural factors, in their third term. This training enables the students to conduct a comprehensive project in documentation science. Succeeding the optional courses, the sixth term offers a specialisation in the state of the art (DOK-2030). This course provides the possibility to specialise in some of the debated main areas of the science, its main disciplines (social science, humanities, and technology), as well as document analysis and practical administration.

General guidelines

Course descriptions

Consult the following websites for more detailed information of all courses and disciplines:

http://uit.no/studier/emner/1

http://uit.no/humfak/3514/

Interdisciplinary courses

Notice that some disciplines offer interdisciplinary courses. Such courses are marked with HIF-codes. To find out which HIF-courses are accepted as part of this Bachelors programme, consult the discipline in question for more detailed information.

International exchange

Studies abroad are highly recommended during the fourth or fifth semester. Students are encouraged to inquire into what courses at other universities and institutions of learning are granted equivalence for the Bachelors programme in documentation science at the University of Tromsø.

The following agreements for exchange programmes apply:

1.   The general agreement for the Nordplus Exchange Programme with the Nordic institutions of education in library and documentation science.

2.   The Socrates agreement with the University of Oulu in Finland.

3.   Emerging agreements with France and the U.S.A.