Informatics Program

Informatics studies the design, application, use, and impact of computational principles and technology. 

Informatics can enhance a wide range of disciplines that encompass much of human activity. The Informatics program seeks to provide students with the understanding and skills so that they can facilitate such enhancements. Thus, our program has goals that are consistent with recent trends within computing that attempt to link core computing ideas, e.g., computational thinking, to other disciplines.

With its slant toward computational thinking as applied to other disciplines, our Informatics program is tied significantly to relevant endeavors in other departments.  There are currently two Informatics "tracks:"  Informatics / Data Science and Informatics / Multimedia.  Each track consists of a common technical core of six courses, 3 or 4 concentration courses, and 3 or 4 additional electives.

Informatics and BDIC Program

At this writing the Computer Science program does not yet grant degrees in Informatics.  However through an arrangement with the BDIC (Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration) program, a limited number of students can now pursue an Informatics Track within BDIC, leading to the receipt of a BDIC degree having the intellectual substance of the Informatics degree described above. A Student who completes the Informatics Track through the BDIC program will receive a BDIC degree.

How do I get started?

Interested students should take a look at our list of FAQs and our course offerings for upcoming semesters and make contact with one of the peer advisors or the faculty advisor for the Informatics program.

Peer Advisors hold open advising hours in the LGRC room 322:

Elaina Bliss Mondays 3:00-5:00pm - Last Monday is 5/1	Kimberly Smith Thursdays 4:30-6:30pm - Last Thursday is 4/20

Chief Undergraduate Advisor:

Dr. Michelle Trim
LGRC A 347  
mtrim@cs.umass.edu