MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Studies)

a8m8c

ehraz wrote: »

It would depend on what module's reading list you are looking for?

I suppose i'm looking for a few names from any of the modules just to get a feel for the whole thing..

Walls

Have a look here; http://www.ucd.ie/students/course_search.htm then select 'Search By School' and scroll down to Sch of Information and Library Studies, then select Level 3 and Level 4. This will give you a run down of the modules available for this year. Next year's modules don't seem to be up yet.

pentiumchips

Just popped in boards.ie for the first time in a long time. Sounds like there has been a fair few changes to the UCD MLIS, and maybe more to come. Sorry haven't read through all the posts in the thread, but seems like a good time to really compare MLIS with DBS course and UU course. I always thought the thesis option was good, but maybe it is time to change with the times and all that. I think for the UU course you can do the Grad Dip elsewhere but the thesis with them to get a masters. Often comes down to lecturers and their expertise as this can influence curriculum, i know there are staff changes in ucd but not sure who is teaching on dbs.

cazzywazzy

has anyone received their student number yet to allow you to register? I thought it was sent to you once they receive the deposit or maybe they aren't being given out yet?

the west wing

Hey!
I thought I had the same problem but after I emailed Claire I realised I never went on the application website and actually accepted the offer. I had paid the deposit but never clicked accept. Once I clicked accept, I received an email giving me my student number.

cazzywazzy

the west wing wrote: »

Hey!
I thought I had the same problem but after I emailed Claire I realised I never went on the application website and actually accepted the offer. I had paid the deposit but never clicked accept. Once I clicked accept, I received an email giving me my student number.

oh i never did this, must be the problem. where do you accept, i dont follow, the application site..i dont see anywhere to accept or i dont even see offer anywere..im looking were the application form is uploaded..that the wrong area? thanks

rottenhat

Just as well I subscribed to this thread - I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs for two months wondering when I would hear from UCD again. It strikes me as a bit bizarre that forking over a €500 deposit doesn't qualify as accepting your place.

Cazzywazzy, yes, go back into your application (you should see the word Offer hyperlinked in the Status column - click on that) - around the middle of the page you'll see a dropdown menu that currently says Offer. Change that to Accept and save.

the west wing

From memory - Go to the address where you uploaded the documents for your application, you will see that there is an 'Offer' made. If you accept this, you will receive a student number generated automatically for you in your email. It seemed straight forward when I did it.

the west wing

rottenhat wrote: »

Just as well I subscribed to this thread - I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs for two months wondering when I would hear from UCD again. It strikes me as a bit bizarre that forking over a €500 deposit doesn't qualify as accepting your place.

Cazzywazzy, yes, go back into your application (you should see the word Offer hyperlinked in the Staus column - click on that) - around the middle of the page you'll see a dropdown menu that currently says Offer. Change that to Accept and save.

That's it explained better!

cazzywazzy

rottenhat wrote: »

Just as well I subscribed to this thread - I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs for two months wondering when I would hear from UCD again. It strikes me as a bit bizarre that forking over a €500 deposit doesn't qualify as accepting your place.

Cazzywazzy, yes, go back into your application (you should see the word Offer hyperlinked in the Staus column - click on that) - around the middle of the page you'll see a dropdown menu that currently says Offer. Change that to Accept and save.

eh in my status it says n/a, no hyperlink or offer wrote anywhere. my account must not have been updated or something, il have to email claire tomorrow i guess. thanks anyway guys.

rottenhat

And your choice of modules for next year is here.

parker kent

Weepsie wrote: »

They have gutted the course from what it was only 2 years ago from what i can see.

I did the course in 2009. All the modules I did are on the course next year or have extremely similar/improved offerings.

rottenhat

parker kent wrote: »

I did the course in 2009. All the modules I did are on the course next year or have extremely similar/improved offerings.

Any modules or lecturers you'd particularly recommend?

parker kent

rottenhat wrote: »

Any modules or lecturers you'd particularly recommend?

The Teaching Librarian is the best module by far in my opinion. Professional Issues in Information and Library Careers featured access to a lot of people that are important in Irish libraries, so I found that useful as well. But there is a different lecturer on the course now, so my experience may not be relevant.

Miss Smilla

Just finished the course-I really liked Creating & Publishing Digital Media.

parker kent

Weepsie wrote: »

Though I don't doubt that many are still there or have had only minor changes, there are definitely quite a few missing from what they had when I first looked on the either 08/09 or 09/10 syllabus. It's perhaps only notable to me as I had earmarked certain modules that I would love to have done and every single one of them is gone.

You may have looked at the 08/09 syllabus, but I actually did it. So with respect, I feel better qualified to compare.

parker kent

Weepsie wrote: »

I am not disagreeing with you but there are clearly many modules no longer on offer at all which have been in recent years. The biggest one for me is Political Information and Media just gone completely, that alone has quite a knock on effect to what I was hoping to follow up the MLis with.

That was not a module offered by a SILS lecturer, somebody from the politics department took the class. So that may be outside their control if he was no longer around or if his schedule changed. If they did decide to no longer offer it, I imagine they dropped that class in favour of modules relating to libraries. Which makes sense. Very few people attended those lectures after about week 2 or 3.

If you were doing an MA in Information Studies or the undergraduate course, I would understand your view (as the class was offered to stage 3 undergrads as well). But you are specifically choosing to do a professional course. Expect them to offer more classes aimed at the people who want to be librarians/information officers.

vicecreamsundae

just finished classes and kind of jealous looking at the modules on offer next year, there are a couple archive related ones, we had no archive related options this year. also would LOVE to have done children's and young people's info services but that wasn't on offer.

would definitely recommend the teaching librarian. it was highly recommended to me, and then i really didnt enjoy the first few lectures, but the assignments were great and it turned out to be one of the most useful modules.

HATED management for information professionals -useless. although i think a different lecturer will take it next year.

web publishing (HTML and CSS) and creating and publishing digital media (remedial workshops on photography/blogging/podcasting) were fun and very easy As, but not really thaaat relative to the course. enjoyed them though.

digital libraries was great, though i dont think that lecturer is around next semester either.

the one about designing databases and information architecture would probably be really useful.

goodluck everyone who enrolls!!

parker kent

vicecreamsundae wrote: »

web publishing (HTML and CSS) and creating and publishing digital media (remedial workshops on photography/blogging/podcasting) were fun and very easy As, but not really thaaat relative to the course. enjoyed them though.

You may not say that when you are running a one person library and have no IT support :pac:

I'd agree with most of what you said (well other than the modules that I didn't do). Seems that the course is returning to similar modules from 2008/2009 and beforehand with archiving and children's related modules returning.

I would still see vast scope for improvements within the department.

saraocallaghan

Just finished this course too. Great fun, made life long friends. But oh my god, the work load is immense. Be prepared for a lot of work, especially towards the end of the two semesters, when it seems the work is just piled on. I have to agree with vicecreamsundae, The Teaching Librarian was a fantastic class, so much fun and Claire McGuinness is brilliant.

I have to say, make friends with Claire Nolan, not that it will be hard!! She is made of awesome! She will be your go to person for the whole and don't be afraid to talk to her. I know people always say "my door is open anytime" but with Claire, it's true! She will help you in any way she can.

So enjoy the classes and don't worry, it may not feel like it, but you will get through! Promise!!!

parker kent

Weepsie wrote: »

anyway, i've just about gotten over my hump on the changes. When can folk start registering for classes, though I imagine there'll be some time to change after the first week or two. My personal experience of UCD registration however makes me think that no notice will be given

What do you mean "no notice"?

Of course there is time given to change your mind.

rottenhat

According to this, Friday September 2nd. The registration guide will be available from July 25th.

parker kent

rottenhat wrote: »

According to this, Friday September 2nd. The registration guide will be available from July 25th.

That is the date it opens, it will be open for a few weeks. Although in practical terms, you are better deciding after 1-2 weeks.

Weepsie wrote: »

I always found that UCD registration was a bit haphazard is all. I was there in 2007/08 doing an MA. Getting a student card was even difficult, I had been registered for exams I wasn't supposed to do (in fact about 10 of us were, we all did them and they weren't marked). They were just a bit disorganised.

They have however been a bit better in requests I've had since graduating and always obliging (I take exception to being only able to get 3 copies of my transcripts at 22 euro too, but that's a different matter)

Getting a student card is not that difficult. You are given a date to collect your card and you collect it on that date. It sounds like a 2-way failure of communication in your above example, although without knowing specifics I can't really say any more.

Also, you should get your transcripts after your exam results, you'll get them for free as you are technically still a student.

Miss Smilla

Weepsie wrote: »

anyway, i've just about gotten over my hump on the changes. When can folk start registering for classes, though I imagine there'll be some time to change after the first week or two. My personal experience of UCD registration however makes me think that no notice will be given

Last year we were given a specific day to register-early September. There was a problem with the site on the day but in the end it was ok. In any case, you only have to be sure you get your name down for classes where they say "places are limited". Otherwise, there is no limit and you have a few weeks grace before deciding whether to stick with a class or not.

My advice to anybody starting this year-balance your credits over the 2 semesters. The core modules are pretty tough going in terms of work load-so don't overdo it in one semester or the other.

Good luck!

Walls

Weepsie wrote: »

Nope, the communication failure was entirely their fault in this instance. We had said several times from the start of the course that we were not due to do the exams and they said we were, then they were unsure and then again that we were expected to do them. We all went to an evening exam, checked for our seats, none of us were on the list and they didn't have papers for us. They told us we'd to do them then then they told us later that they were not marked.

Which Department was this!? That sounds terrible!

eclectichoney

Weepsie wrote: »

Considered archival studies at one point, but for some reason (well there is plenty of logic) it's now within the History Dept. Anyone think it will eventually join with the SILS school? It makes sense.

I think they are very different professions though, with somewhat different skill-sets imo - I see a much more natural fit with the School of History tbh. There is some overlap in terms of organising information etc., but from my own (limited it must be said!) experience and knowledge of both, I would see the benefits of coming at the subject from a historical perspective as of far more value, as generally this is the material you will be working with.

Chipmeister

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Just finished this course too. Great fun, made life long friends. But oh my god, the work load is immense. Be prepared for a lot of work, especially towards the end of the two semesters, when it seems the work is just piled on. I have to agree with vicecreamsundae, The Teaching Librarian was a fantastic class, so much fun and Claire McGuinness is brilliant.

I have to say, make friends with Claire Nolan, not that it will be hard!! She is made of awesome! She will be your go to person for the whole and don't be afraid to talk to her. I know people always say "my door is open anytime" but with Claire, it's true! She will help you in any way she can.

So enjoy the classes and don't worry, it may not feel like it, but you will get through! Promise!!!

Can I give resounding support to the above message, particularly about Claire Nolan .... she is in a word a LEG-END, and I know that many of us on the course wouldn't have made it to the end without her, she's such a trooper !!!

a8m8c

Has anyone recieved any offers for this course yet or know when offers are made?

rottenhat

I read somewhere on the UCD website that offers were being made in rounds - March 15th was the second, May 15th was the third, I don't remember if there were more after that. If you check with Claire Nolan, I'm sure she'll be able to tell you whether it's full and, if not, when they'll be making more offers.

a8m8c

Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to get worried that i haven't heard anything even though my application for masters and postgrad have been in since May 3rd.. Oh well i'll give Claire Nolan a ring in the morning and see if it's still open..