Academic content · Information Architecture (Aalborg)

The masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture) is problem and result based, and as such you will be working with both a theoretical and practical approach, having a human-centred and technological perspective. You will be working with disciplines such as rhetoric, communication, information ecology and user centred design, to better understand and work with users. You will lean content management systems (CMS), search technology and system development, information processing, media strategies and project management in order to plan, develop and implement information architecture in a multimodal context.

More often that not, student will be working in groups with specific design tasks and projects, in cooperation with partners in both private companies and public organizations that will evaluate your results and provide feedback.

The masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture) is divided into two separate programs; the basic programme and the programme with focus on Persuasive Design. The Persuasive Design-program, is then offered as both aregual and as an Elite program.

Structure of the basic masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture)

The masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture) is a two-year program divided into four semesters beginning roughly September 1st, and February 1st. You will be able to tone or tailor your education throughput most of the four semesters, with selections in courses, workshops and the subject of the main term paper. This gives you the best possible way of tailoring the education you will be given to interests you have. The paragraph below will provide you with a quick overview of the individual semesters as a whole.

7. semester is centered on “The Rhetoric and Ecology of Information Architecture”

Lectures will be given in rhetoric, design, categorization, knowledge organization, learning and databases and the interplay between these fields of study. Here the focus point of the classical rhetoric; the interplays between content, form and function, is and form is in focus.

8. semester is centered on the "Design of Information Architecture "

You will be working on the design of information architectures, with a focus on user driven innovation as an intern in private and public organization, providing you with real experiences in three different cases.

9. semester is centered on “Strategies for Change"

with a main focus in the communicative consequences of changing information architecture. Here you will be given a deep understanding of rhetoric, design, categorization as well as knowledge organization and learning in information ecologies, with the purpose of giving you the tools needed to lead, coordinate and collaborate on information architecture. This is supplemented with hans-on use of some of the design-tools used in the information architecture-trade.

10. semester is centered on your master thesis.

Want more information, in Danish, about the content and scructure of The masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture) ? Go here

Specialisations

The masters program in Information Technology (Information Architecture), with focus on Persuasive Design (Both the elite masters program, and the regular program)

The Persuasive Design-program, focuses on five disciplines, in addition to ethics and the philosophy of science.

1. Rhetoric
2. Logic and temporality
3. Persuasive Design – and relevant IT-techniques.
4. Categorization
5. Knowledge organization and learning in information ecologies

The program will give student the skills needed to create (userdriven) design of both content and structure in information systems, with a particular focus on Persuasive Design. You will be capable to:

1. Create Persuasive Design in information architecture
2. Conduct research and/or development of Persuasive Design.
3. Evaluate information architecture from a rhetoric and ethical perspective.
4. Convey design strategies

As such, all students will be required to publish one or more scientific papers in the proceedings of relevant conferences or journals, as well as participate in these conferences and research networks, as well as convey the results of your research in general.

The structure and content of the Persuasive Design-program

The overall structure and content of the Persuasive Design-program is identical to the structure of the basic masters program, as reviewed above, with the emphasis on the focus points listed above.