Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Berlin School of Library and Information Science

Information about the BA Programme in Library and Information Science

Please notice: The Program is offered in German!

 


The combined Bachelor's Program contains Library and Information Science as major subject or second subject.

All major and second subjects offered by Humboldt-University can be combined with the Library and Information Science Bachelor's Program, e.g.:

  • American Studies
  • Business Administration
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Educational Science
  • European Ethnology
  • German Linguistics
  • Informatics
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Economics
  • ...

 

Academic Structure

The Program is composed of different modules. Examinations take place within the course of studies.

The standard period of this program is six semesters. This includes four semesters of basic studies and two semesters of advanced studies.

The amount of courses in Library and Information Science you have to take depends on whether it has been chosen as major subject or second subject. Concrete information is provided in the following document: Study Regulations

 

Content of the Program

Basic studies for the Library and Information Science major subject consist of the following obligatory modules:

 

Module BP1: Introduction to Library and Information Science
Module BP2: Information and Communication Technology
Module BP3: Information Production and Management
Module BP4: Information Processing and Organization
Module BP5: Human Information Behavior
Module BP6: Project Module
Module BP7: Internship
Module BP8: Thesis

For advanced studies you have to choose two out of the following five optional modules:

Module BWP1: Information didactics
Module BWP2: Information Processing and Storage
Module BWP3: Information and Society
Module BWP4: Human-Computer-Interaction
Module BWP5: Economic Basics to the Information Sector
Example:
1. Semester
major subject I

Introduction to Library and Information Science

major subject II

Information and Communication Technology

second
subject

2. Semester
major subject III

Information Production and Management

major subject IV

Information Processing and Organization

second
subject

3. Semester
major subject V

Human Information Behavior

major subject VII

Internship

second
subject

4. Semester
major subject VI

Project Module

optional modules

z.B. Human-Computer-Interaction

second
subject

5. Semester
optional modules

z.B. Information didactics

ÜWP

 

second
subject

6. Semester
Thesis

writing time: 10 weeks

ÜWP

 

second
subject

 

Bachelor’s thesis

The advanced studies also include writing your Bachelor's thesis, that will prove your ability to independently and scientifically evaluate and present a Library and Information Science centered topic or problem.

The module "Berufs(feld)bezogene Zusatzqualifikation (BZ)" (profession-related additional qualification) consists of three parts: the internship (BZP), "Ergänzendes Fachwissen (BZE)" (Complementary expertise) and "Schlüsselqualifikationen (BZS)" (key qualifications). The module BZ can be absolved during the whole period of the Bachelor's program.

 

Completion of the Program

For every module that has been completed successfully you will gain a certain number of credit points, according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). After the successful completion of the program, you will be awarded with the academic grade "Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)" in Library and Information Science.

 

Aims of the Program and Professional Perspectives

The Combined Bachelor's Program is oriented on professional practice and combines practical questions with scientific methods. The program aims to give its graduates the knowledge about functions, structures and practical methods needed within the library and information sector. The program also fosters its students’ decision-making skills and responsibility for the organization of knowledge and information.

Some subject combinations are particularly suitable for certain professions: To work in music libraries, in music and media archives and in music industries, "Music and Media" (Musik und Medien) is a good choice for your other subject. To obtain a job in information services at biology or chemistry research institutions, the Biology or Chemistry Programs as major or second subject would be fitting. Combining Library and Information Science with "Art and Image History" (Kunst und Bildgeschichte) or "Cultural Studies" (Kulturwissenschaft) would be useful for subsequent activities in Art or Museum Libraries and in publishing houses as well as studying "informatics" as additional subject would help for professions in information and media management.

For Library and Information Science graduates fields of application reach from classical areas, like libraries and information institutions of both the scientific and public sector, to the fields of content industries and other research-based fields of the free economy, e.g. publishing houses, media industries, software companies and many more.

 

Begin of studies and registration dates

Matriculation takes place every year in winter term. The application deadline is 15 July for the following winter term. The number of students that can be admitted is limited referring to the Numerus Clausus.

More information about application and deadlines is provided in the followingpage.