Department of Informatics
Faculty
Professor
Stephen E. DeLong, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Texas at Austin
Associate Professors
Deborah Lines Anderson, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Peter Bloniarz, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jagdish Gangolly, Ph.D. (O'Leary Professor)
University of Pittsburgh
Rey Koslowski, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Kevin Knuth, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Peter Shea, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Assistant Professors
Senem Guney, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin
Toni Naccarato, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Service Assistant Professor
Jennifer J. Goodall, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Adjuncts (estimated): 2
Affiliated Faculty (estimated): 35
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 8
The Department of Informatics has Core Faculty (listed above) who have split appointments between a home department and Informatics or are entirely in the Department of Informatics. In addition, Affiliated Faculty have an interest in working with students in informatics, but have their faculty appointment wholly in a home department.
The focus of the major in Information Science is on the nature and use of information and supporting technology applications and only indirectly on computer and network hardware and support. Classes offered in the program provide an introduction to computer programming, web development, digital imaging, networking, information storage and retrieval, and database management. Through course assignments, students are provided with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, real world settings. The B.A. includes coursework in disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, and philosophy to underscore the importance of humanistic, cognitive, and social aspects of information. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, research and writing skills, oral discourse, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Students anticipating employment in fields concerned with information technology operation, maintenance, and support should explore additional opportunities (technical training, certification, etc.) outside the Department and the University.
The Department of Informatics offers an Informatics minor. There are multiple options. One can be combined with any major and the other eight are coupled with specific majors to enhance the informatics perspective within that discipline. Currently, the options linked to a major are for Art, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, Physics, and Women's Studies majors.
The Department of Informatics also offers a doctoral degree in information science.
Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a Concentration in Information Science
The Department of Informatics offers a Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a Concentration in Information Science. The major is concerned with various aspects of information, including characteristics and properties of information; the flow of information from its origination to utilization; personal, economic, political and social value of information; the cognitive, intellectual and technological structures that govern information transfer; the public and private organizational environments where information exchange has taken place.
Admission: Students must obtain the approval of the program director before they can officially declare this Faculty-initiated interdisciplinary program as their major.
Degree Requirements for the Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a Concentration in Information Science
General Program B.A.: A minimum of 46 credits including:
31 credit core: I CSI 201; I INF/IST 100, I INF/IST 301, I IST 361, 433, 499W; A MAT 108 (or substitute*); A PSY 101 or 102; A LIN 220; A PHI 210
3 credits from: A LIN 321, 322, 325, 499 (when 499 topic appropriate)
3 credits from: A PSY 270, 380, 381, 382
9 credits from: I CSI 203, 204, 205, 310; 416, B ITM 215 (or I CSI 101), B ITM 330; I INF/IST 423, 424
*A MAT 108 substitutes: R CRJ 281, A ECO 320, A PSY 210, A SOC 221.
