Erik Rath Education

Erik Rath MLIS

Information Specialist

MLIS Education

Introduction ♦ Technology ♦ Reference/Research ♦ Information Organization

University of Washington iSchool

I approached my MLIS studies with an open mind to the boundless possibilities and facets of Information Science. The University of Washington's iSchool allowed me to explore a vast array of different subjects relating to the organization of information, research and reference skills, readers' advisory work, information systems, and everything in between. My studies have improved my understanding of the information landscape that will be my vocational environment and prepared me to be an active participant in the ongoing expansion and improvement of the information world.

Courses

Technology

Class	Description	Projects and Papers
LIS 549: Special Topics in Information Systems	This class was an introduction to an array of information skills and technologies including web development, database construction, scripting languages, and networking.	Designed a website that assists mountain bikers in finding bus routes to Seattle-area trails. Created a javascript based Madlibs website.
LIS 544: Information Retrieval Systems	LIS 544 explored concepts related to the design, development, and evaluation of information retrieval systems. The class coverd user/system centered design, theories and models behind common IR systems, and analyzed usability issues in system interface design.	Set up three enterprise search systems and evaluated the indexing capabilities, search algorithms, and usability of each system. (Final Report)
INFX 543: Concepts in Database Design	This course covers relational database design development and theory, concepts and skills as well as transactional database theory ,architecture, and implemention using SQL.	Was part of a team that designed a database for the University of Washington Medical School that will allow students to find community service opportunities that match their experience and interests. Visio diagram available here: .pdf , .vsd
LIS 542: Information Structures Using XML	LIS 542 introduced the concepts and methods used to analyze, store, manage, and present information and navigation. Equal weight given to understanding structures and implementing them. Topics include information analysis and organizational methods as well as XML and metadata concepts and application.	Designed a prototype of an XML-based website for researching medical schools by geographic location, tuition, and preference of the user.

Reference and Research

Class	Description	Projects and Papers
LIS 520: Information Resources, Services and Collections	LIS 520 offered an introduction to information resources and services, with a focus on user needs and linformation searching skills and techniques.	Searching assignments designed to practice research skills. Executive report on the Powell's Books' effectiveness at evolving with the current information environment
LIS 526: Government Publications	The government publications course covered the structure of the United States Government as it relates to the production and dissemination of information, the SuDocs classification system, Washington and Seattle government resources, and how to effectively use a multitude of government databases and catalogs.	Weekly assignments exploring government websites and systems. A presentation analyzing the Portland Bicycle Master Plan through the lens of Government Documents.
LIS 528: Health Sciences Information Resources	LIS 528 prepared students for working in healthcare environments. Topics covered included the characteristics of the users of health information resources, evaluation of health information, concepts and theories of evidence-based medecine, and searching skills in PubMed,Medline Plus, and other print and online medical resources.	Exercises focusing on familiarizing students with health information resources. A study of the information needs of Family Physicians and design of an information system for them.

Cataloging and Organization

Class	Description	Projects and Papers
LIS 530: Organization of Information Resources	An introduction to information organization and theories including:catalog and metadata, semantic relationships and facet analysis, creation of controlled vocabularies,and display and arrangement.	Designed an analytico-synthetic classification system and applied it to a collection of documents.
LIS 531: Catalogs, cataloging, and Classification	LIS 531 focused on issues concerning catalogs and catalogings and the underlying theories upon which they are based. The class also covered a number of tools including AACRL, Dewey Decimal Classification, and Library of Congress Classification.	Evaluated a public library catalog based on its ability to satisfy the access and description requirements of a catalog.
LIS 537: Constructing an Indexing Language	LIS 537 is an exploration of the design, construction, evaluation, and maintenance of controlled indexing languages, including studies of how users are integrated into the design process. Through completion of thesaurus construction project, prepares students to design index languages, plan and implement a design project, and evaluate indexing languages.	Worked with a team to create a Thesaurus designed for collections related to competitive bicycling.