Faculty of Information Studies, U of T
The Faculty of Information Studies (commonly abbreviated as FIS) is one of several different faculties of the University of Toronto. It was originally founded as the Library School within the Ontario College of Education in 1928. In 1972 the name changed to the Faculty of Library Science, the Faculty of Library and Information Science in 1982 and then the Faculty of Information Studies in 1994.
The Faculty has offered a variety of different degrees since its beginning:
- From 1928 to 1936 a one year University Diploma
- From 1936-1970 a one year Bachelor of Library Science degree
- From 1970-1995 a two year Master of Library Science (MLS) degree
- in 1971 a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) program was established
- in 1988 a Master of Information Science (MIS) degree was introduced
- in 1995 the MLS and MIS were replaced with the Master of Information Studies (MISt) degree which included three areas of specializations previously covered by the two degrees (these areas included Archival Studies, Information Systems and Library and Information Science)
The MISt. degree is accredited by the American Library Association or ALA.
The Faculty's offices are located in the Claude T. Bissell Building, part of Robart's Library (The John P. Robarts Research Library complex). The current Dean of FIS is Dr. Brian Cantwell Smith.
