THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
Library and Information Science
We welcome you to the Department of Library and Information Science at the National University of Science and Technology. The Department’s thrust is to offer degree programmes that are grounded in the management of information and knowledge that seek to contribute to the development of librarianship and other information-related professions. As such, our teaching and research centres on the dynamics of the interaction between information technology and the factors in the environment within which the technology is applied. Our undergraduate programmes focus on the purview of information systems. In this endeavour, the objective is to produce graduates with a strong technical skills set and a deep understanding of the operations of businesses and other socio-technical systems concerned with managing information systems and databases. At post-graduate level, we offer advanced programmes in the domain of information and knowledge management practice, as well as research-oriented higher degrees. Research is of primary importance to our department. Largely because it enables us to pull together research energy and resources that focus on developmental challenges that are experienced in Sub- Saharan Africa with respect to information literacy, library systems development and the enhancement of information service processes. An important aspect in our activities is networking. This is because it fosters participation and collaboration, which are high on the Department’s agenda. As a result, the Department has linkages with a number of organisations at national, regional and international levels that promote interface with industry as well as foster tapping on to ideas and knowledge from colleagues in industry into the Department’s teaching and research.
The programmes that are currently on offer in the Department are as follows:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Library and information Science
- Post-graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science
- Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
Our Programmes
Undergraduate
Entry qualifications
- Candidates must have the following qualifications (or their equivalent):-
- Five ‘O’ Level passes including English Language at Grade C or better. (O’Level Mathematics will be an added advantage)
- At least two ‘A’ Level passes.
Special entry
- Holders of a National Diploma from the Polytechnic Colleges or the Technical Colleges (or their equivalent) may apply for entry into Part I.
- Holders of the Higher National Diploma from the Polytechnic Colleges or the Technical Colleges in Library and Information Science; Records and Archives Management (or their equivalent) may qualify for entry into Part II.
Career prospects In Library and Information Science
Graduates of the programme may work in various sectors of the information industry as:
- Information service consultancy
- Knowledge managers
- Library managers
- Database administrators
- Metadata analyst
- Researchers
- School librarians
- University librarians
- Documentarist
- Digital content managers
- Law librarians
- Medical librarians
- Library directors
- Web designers
- Project managers
- Information system librarians
- Cataloguers
- Information officers
- Publishers
- Knowledge Entrepreneurs
Postgraduate
Entry qualifications
Normal Entry: Candidates must have the following qualifications (or their equivalent):
- At least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree in Library and Information Science or in any other information science field, for instance, Information and Communication Technology, Archives, Records Management, Information Systems Management, Publishing, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Museology Studies.
- At least a Lower Second Class Degree in any other subject field plus a post graduate qualification in library and information studies.
Special Entry:
A Pass Degree in any information science field and at least five (5) years relevant experience in information related sciences.There are different timeframes for full-time and part-time studies. In both cases, a candidate who fails to complete his/her studies within the maximum allowable time should apply for an extension to be considered by the Academic Board. Such an application should be motivated by the candidate’s supervisor(s).
Full-Time Programmes
- A full-time MPhil shall take a minimum of eighteen (18) months and a maximum of
thirty-six (36) months.
- A full-time PhD shall take a minimum of twenty-four (24) months and a maximum of thirty-six (36) months.
Part-Time Programmes
- A part-time MPhil shall take a minimum of twenty-four (24) months and a maximum of forty-eight (48) months.
- A part-time PhD shall take a minimum of thirty-six (36) months and a maximum of sixty (60) months.
Entry Requirements
- A prospective candidate for an MPhil degree should be normally a holder of a B.Sc. or B.A. (Hons) degree in the First or Upper Second Division (2.1)in Library and Information Science or in any other information science field, for instance, Information and Communication Technology, Archives, Records Management, Information Systems Management, Publishing, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Museology Studies.
- A prospective candidate for a PhD should be a holder of an MSc or MA degree (Distinction or Merit) / MPhil in Library and Information Science or in any other information science field, for instance, Information and Communication Technology, Archives, Records Management, Information Systems Management, Publishing, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Museology Studies.
- A prospective MPhil candidate who passed his/her B.Sc. or B.A. (Hons) degree with less than an Upper Second Division (2.1) shall be considered for admission provided he/she has worked within the relevant field for at least three (3) years post B.Sc. or B.A. (Hons) qualification.
- A prospective PhD candidate who passed his/her MSc or MA degree with less than a Merit shall be considered for admission provided he/she has worked within the relevant field for at least four (4) years post MSc or MA qualification.