Information science is a popular field that may involve both technical computer skills and an understanding of the interaction between technology and society. Coursework can include software engineering, database management, and the ethics and laws of contemporary information technology.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.