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IDRM Curriculum

Degree Requirements

In order to receive the master's degree in Information and Digital Resource Management, students are expected to complete the degree requirements within three years (six terms, excluding summer) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better. Transfer credit is not accepted toward the degree.

The 36-point program is made up of nine required courses (27 points) focusing on information and digital resource management; one required Master's Program Seminar (3 points); and two elective courses selected from the other departments and divisions of the University (6 points).

Required Courses (27 points)

The required courses prepare students to address the practical needs of business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations as they go about gathering, organizing, maintaining, retrieving, and employing information. In their first term of study, master's degree students are required to take IDRM K4300 Introduction to Information Professions and Knowledge Management and IDRM K4350 Information Networks. In subsequent terms, students are encouraged to take at least two required courses (6 points) per term.

• IDRM K4300. Introduction to Information Professions and Knowledge Management. 3 pts.
  
  This course instills in students an understanding of information systems, particularly as they relate to students’ own professional environments and experiences, and explores the basic techniques of knowledge management in order to see how these information systems fit into the overall information infrastructure of a corporation, nonprofit organization, or government agency.
  
  
• IDRM K4310. Legal and Policy Issues for Information Professionals. 3 pts.
  
  Rapid developments in technology and the exponential proliferation of digital records in the workplace and everyday life have dramatically affected the law, litigation, and the legal profession. This course introduces the fundamental principles and practical consequences of recent developments in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, electronic discovery law, labor and employment law, privacy law, intellectual property law, and attorney client privilege. The course will be taught using the socratic method, wherein students will be questioned in order to stimulate rational thinking and illuminate ideas. There will be guest speakers and a site visit.
  
  
• IDRM K4315. Exploring Digital Information in Business and Economics. 3 pts.
  
  This course will examine the various digital and online resources used to research the fields of business and economics. Course content will include government resources, proprietary databases and websites. Analysis and use of data will be discussed.
  
  
• IDRM K4320. Introduction to Information Technology and IT Project Management. 3 pts.
  
  Traditional project management techniques and frameworks are not always applicable to projects with a significant IT component and may fail to address adequately the organizational stresses caused by IT projects. Bringing a successful IT project to fruition can yield enormous institutional rewards when underutilized valuable information is brought to light and used. The quality of information can be improved overall, its scope of delivery greatly expanded, and its presentation made in ways that allow for its more effective use. This course enables the non-technologist to design and implement an IT-based project, not as an end in itself, but as a means to further an organization’s stated goals or mission. It teaches students how to communicate with IT staff at the level of specificity required to guide a project’s design and implementation, and to acquire the analytical and project management skills required to conceive and execute a coherent and effective strategy for implementing an IT project that serves the core mission of an organization.
  
  
• IDRM K4327. Global Trends in Information Access and the Democratization of Information. 3 pts.
  
  This course will focus on the changing world of information and knowledge, its impact on the world of work and our ability to access, manage and disseminate information. The course will cover trends in social networking, the further development of web 2.0, as well as global trends in participation and involvement in the creation of information on the internet. Issues such as organizational behavior, knowledge sharing initiatives, enterprise content management applications and information handling in the workplace of the 21st century will be covered.
  
  
• IDRM K4335. Records Management: Principles and Practices. 3 pts.
  
  This course lays the foundation for understanding the role, importance, and variety of print and digital record-keeping systems in organizations. Building on the foundation of simple records management, using case studies, and paying attention to organizations' diverse internal needs and overall goals, the course also introduces students to the more complex principles and practices involved in the design, implementation, management, and preservation of digital resources.
  
  
• IDRM K4340. Digital Asset Management. 3 pts.
  
  Digital Asset Management addresses the increasing variety and importance of digital resources held and used by business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Among the topics the course considers are the transfer of records and other materials from analog and other non- digital formats to digital format; the design and maintenance of digital databases; the preservation of digital assets; the practical integration of digital assets into the daily work and long-term missions of diverse organizations. The course, which employs case studies, more theoretical readings, student projects, guest speakers, and site visits, is a companion course to the Master's Project Seminar.
  
  
• IDRM K4345. Managing Relationships with Digital Information Providers. 3 pts.
  
  Every organization, whether it is a nonprofit, corporate or government agency, deals with a multitude of vendors to acquire the digital information resources it needs to meet goals. Developing effective working relationships with these information providers is a critical part of the process. This course will focus on growing these relationships and developing the skills necessary to work well with commercial vendors. Providing students with the ability to evaluate products that help their organization meet its goals, negotiate with vendors and maintain good ongoing vendor relationships are objectives of this class.
  
  
• IDRM K4350. Information Networks 3 pts.
  
  The development and applications of information networks – from the birth of the internet and growth of intranets, to the revolution of the World Wide Web, to the interactive nature of "Web 2.0"—has profoundly affected business, nonprofit and governmental organizations. This course will explore the cultural and economic impact of social media, collaboration (wikis) and emerging digital resources. Understanding the role and value of information management professionals to all types of organizations in this ever changing digital environment is a course objective.
  
  

Master's Project Seminar (3 points)

The Master's Project Seminar reinforces the practical focus of the program and ensures that graduates are prepared to undertake and implement information-related projects in professional settings. As part of their projects, degree candidates may serve as interns at appropriate organizations if they are not currently working in the field or if they wish to diversify their professional experience. Building on one of the projects prepared in a required course, students create and implement an information-related system for the organization in which they work or intern, and produce a substantial research paper or portfolio.

Note: the Master's Project Seminar may be taken during the fourth, fifth, or sixth term of study, but not before.

• IDRM K4390. Master's Project Seminar. 3 pts.

Elective Courses (6 points)

Two elective courses must be taken in other schools or departments within the University, in a related discipline, such as management, economics, technology, budgeting and finance, organizational psychology, history, political science, sociology, and information technology. Many of the graduate schools at Columbia restrict access to certain courses and cross-enrollment is permitted on a space-available basis, with the approval of the academic adviser and the school or department in which the courses are offered. Students are expected to comply with the stated prerequisites of all courses.

IDRM Tuition & Fees for Fall 2012 - Spring 2013

Deposit Requirement

In order to secure a place in the program, admitted students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $500 to the university by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. The deposit is credited toward the student's tuition upon matriculation and is nonrefundable. Under no circumstances can the acceptance deposit be waived. Students who fail to remit their deposit by the deadline forfeit their place in the entering class. Students who make deposits but do not enroll on the agreed date lose their deposits.

Tuition

Fees

This listing is intended to summarize possible charges that could be incurred against a student's account. Certain charges depend upon specific circumstances, as noted. Fees that are not billed to the student account, such as course fees or placement test fees, may be required but are not listed here.

* University Facilities Fee

Students are required to pay a University Facilities Fee depending on their registration. Full-time students are those registered for 12 or more points over a 16-week term.

** Health Service Fee

Required of all full-time students; optional for part-time students. Includes clinical services provided on campus as well as integrated off-campus services. See www.health.columbia.edu for details.

Student Medical Insurance

All full-time students must provide proof of insurance or enroll in one of the University plans. This fee is optional for part-time students. See www.health.columbia.edu for details.

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