Department of Informatics

Faculty

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 Professor
 Toni Naccarato, Ph.D.
  University of California, Berkeley

Service Assistant Professor
 Jennifer J. Goodall, Ph.D.
  University at Albany

Adjuncts (estimated): 4
Affiliated Faculty (estimated): 30
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. The B.A. includes coursework in disciplines such as communication, psychology, and sociology to explore the social aspects of information, math, and computer science to develop technology and problem-solving skills, and informatics to apply the technology within a discipline. 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 degree emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, research and writing skills, oral discourse, collaboration and team skills, 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 nine 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, Journalism, 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.

Degree Requirements for the Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a Concentration in Information Science

General Program B.A.: A minimum of 45 credits including:

36 credit required core:

Information Science & Society
I INF 100X Information and Internet Access (3)
I INF 301 The Information Environment  (3)
I INF 499W Senior Seminar in Information Science (3)
A COM 100 Language and Social Action (3)
A PSY 101 or 102 Introduction to Psychology or A SOC 115 Introduction to Sociology (3)

Programming
I CSI 105 Introduction to Computing and Information (3) (or substitute)

Statistics
A MAT 108 Statistics (3) (or substitute)

Calculus
A MAT 106 Survey of Calculus (3) (or substitute)

Technology
I INF 201 Introduction to Web Technologies (3)
I INF 202 Introduction to Data and Databases (3)
I INF 423 Networking Essentials (3)
I INF 424 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials (3)

9 credits electives:

I INF 362 Intermediate Web Development (3)
I INF 496 Special Topics in Informatics (3)
I IST 402 History of Recorded Information (3)
I IST 433 Information Storage and Retrieval (3)
A PHY 451 Bayesian Data Analysis and Signal Processing  (3)
B ITM 330 Business Information Systems and Technologies (3)
R POS 368 Information Technology and World Politics (3)

I CSI 203 Data Processing Principles (3)
I CSI 204 Scientific Computing (3)
I CSI 205 Object Oriented Programming for Data Processing Applications (3)
I CSI 210 Discrete Structures (4)
I CSI 300Z Social, Security, and Privacy Implications of Computing (3)
I CSI 310 Data Structures (3)
I CSI 410 Introduction to Databases (3)

(may only include 6 credits of I CSI 490, I INF 395, I INF 468)
I CSI 490 Internship in Computer Science (1-6)
I INF 395 Internet Practicum (3)
I INF 468 Internship (3)

Other notes:
I CSI 105 substitutes: I CSI 101, I CSI 110, I CSI 201
A MAT 108 substitutes: R CRJ 281, A ECO 320, A PSY 210, A SOC 221
A MAT 106 substitutes: A MAT 111, A MAT 112