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.  The  Informatics / Data Science  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. You can also try our course planning tool* designed by Elaina Bliss (Informatics '17), for an estimate of courses that you might still need to complete the major.

Peer Advisors hold open advising hours in the LGRC room 322 whenever the University is in session during the regular fall or spring semesters.

Edwood Brice Mon - 2-4pm Wed - 2-4pm	Arianna Kazemi Tues - 10-11:15am Thurs - 10-11:15am Friday - 1-2:15pm

Assoc. Director/Chief Undergraduate Advisor:

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

Advisor:

*Requires Microsoft Excel