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Using Data and Information to Advance Society

What are Data and Information Sciences?

Data and information sciences bring together a wide range of disciplines that study data, technology and human behavior to understand and solve complex problems. SDIS builds on strengths in library and information science and data science to unite expertise across fields, transforming data into knowledge and exploring how information shapes society.

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Academic Programs at SDIS

SDIS offers academic programs across all levels of study, including undergraduate majors and minors, master’s degrees and doctoral programs, spanning data science, information and library science and health informatics.

Undergraduate

Learn more about undergraduate degrees in data science and information science and multiple minors.

Master’s

Learn more about residential and online master’s programs in data science, health informatics, information science and library science.

Doctoral

Learn more about the Ph.D programs in data science, health informatics and information and library science.

#3

in the U.S. for Best Library and Information Science Graduate School 2025 US News & World Report

Top 25

Best Online Data Science Master’s by Fortune (2024)

#4

in the World in QS World Rankings 2025 Library & Information Management

Local Libraries and Generative AI

Diane Kelly

UNC-Chapel Hill has launched a statewide study to better understand how North Carolina communities are encountering generative AI and how local libraries can support AI literacy in meaningful, locally relevant and sustainable ways. SDIS Wilson Distinguished Professor Diane Kelly is leading the study in collaboration with the University Library and the Library of North Carolina.

Partnerships with Tübingen

Anita Crescenzi, Ashok Krishnamurthy, Youzuo Lin and Huaxiu Yao

Researchers from one of Germany’s oldest universities and one of Carolina’s newest academic communities are teaming up to solve complex global challenges. Thanks to a collaborative seed fund from the University of Tübingen and UNC-Chapel Hill, four faculty members launched research partnerships in 2025 with counterparts in Germany.

Photo of four SDIS faculty members diamond shapes. Graphic background is Carolina blue and navy with an argyle pattern.

Want to collaborate with us?

Connect with us to explore research partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement and opportunities across industry and the public sector. We welcome opportunities to learn, build and create impact together.

Faculty Directory

News from SDIS

ITS employee finishes MSIS and looks toward teaching

https://its.unc.edu/2026/10/29/after-five-years-of-graduate-study-its-tim-mcguire-looks-toward-teaching/

After five years of balancing work, school and family responsibilities, ITS’ Tim McGuire completed a Master of Science in information science from the School of Data and Information Sciences in August 2026.
MADS student took data science to the hardwood

https://www.unc.edu/posts/2026/10/29/graduate-student-took-data-science-to-the-hardwood/

Men’s basketball data analyst Boris Crnjak ’24 will soon earn his second Carolina degree, a master of applied data science from the School of Data and Information Sciences.
SDIS faculty member Melanie Feinberg explores the human character of data

https://chapelboro.com/the-aaron-keck-show/on-air-today/tell-me-something-how-to-classify-a-tomato-with-uncs-melanie-feinberg

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? For SDIS professor Melanie Feinberg, the answer reveals something deeper about how humans create categories and organize information.