Frequently asked questions: Indiana University's School of Informatics

• What is informatics? "Informatics" is a term of European origin having to do with the collection, classification, storage, retrieval and dissemination of recorded knowledge treated as a pure and as an applied science. Indiana University defines informatics as the art, science and human dimensions of information technology. It is information technology applied to human problems.
• How does informatics differ from computer science or information technology? Informatics differs from related disciplines such as library and information science, computer science, and cognitive science in that it includes core aspects of all of these fields. However, informatics is more general, basic and applied than any of these related disciplines. It is more general in that it emphasizes breadth across issues in all of the related disciplines, and also includes social and ethical issues regarding the "information revolution." It is more basic in that it examines foundational questions about the very nature of information and computation. It is more applied since the aim is to produce qualified information technology professionals to meet the rapidly rising need in this area.
• Will the School of Informatics ultimately contain existing departments and schools relating to informatics? There are no plans for this currently. The School of Informatics is conceived as a "virtual school," not containing or replacing existing academic units that will support it.
• When will the School of Informatics have any of its own departments or programs? At the start it will contain the New Media Program at IUPUI. This recent addition to IU already is successful, with more than 200 undergraduate students and 50 graduate students. Over time, the school may come to have other academic units. There are also plans for a research center to be associated with the school.
• Will the School of Informatics offer degrees? There are several degree options available at both the undergraduate level and the graduate level. Both IUB and IUPUI will offer bachelor of science degrees in informatics and master of science degrees in chemical informatics and bioinformatics. In addition, IUPUI will offer bachelor of science and master of science degrees in media arts and sciences, and a master's degree in health informatics. A master's degree in human-computer interaction will initially be offered at IUB and ultimately at IUPUI as well.
• Will the School of Informatics offer minors? The School of Informatics will offer minors and certificates in informatics at the undergraduate and graduate level. A double major would be encouraged when there is interest on the part of the student.
• How will the informatics programs be structured? Many new courses have been developed specifically for informatics degrees. In addition to these courses, all informatics students will be required to take a large number of courses in another school at IU so as to combine general knowledge of information technology with an application area. Therefore, for example, a student wishing to pursue a career in computer-assisted design might take courses in both informatics and interior design.
• Is there anything that high school students can do now to prepare for studying informatics in college? Informatics students need to be both numbers people and words people. High school students should take as many math and science courses as possible, but also work on communication skills such as writing and oral presentation. It goes without saying that computer skills are important. High school students should learn to navigate the Web and create a home page and, if possible, learn a programing language like C++ or Java. Finally, they should be observant about the many ways that information technology impacts people's lives.
• Will there be more to the School of Informatics than educating undergraduates? Yes. Research is an important component. The creation of an Informatics Research Institute (IRI), with the aim of supporting collaborative research projects with both internal and external partners, has been recommended. The larger background of the school and the institute will help bring researchers together and should attract the attention of funding agencies.
• What are some of the emphases IU has in informatics research? Five principal areas have been identified -- distributed information and knowledge systems, the human/computer interface, social and organizational informatics, foundations of the science of information, and New Media.
• How is the Indiana Pervasive Computing Research Initiative (IPCRES) connected to the School of Informatics? IPCRES is a partnership between Indiana University and the Lilly Endowment to develop a world-class research and development capability in Indiana in some of the fundamental technologies that will drive the 21st century information economy, and an initiative focused on developing the growth of the information economy in Indiana. The School of Informatics will be integral to the IPCRES Education Program. IPCRES distinguished scientists and senior researchers with faculty rank will usually be involved in instruction or supervision in some capacity, and it is anticipated that they often will have appointments or joint appointments with the School of Informatics. This may include normal university courses, seminars and colloquia. In some cases the instruction will take the form of tutorials and supervised internships associated with direct participation by students in the laboratories' research. IPCRES will also provide graduate fellowships and research assistantships to promising students who are studying in areas related to IPCRES core research areas in pervasive computing. In addition, the School of Informatics will help accomplish the second goal of IPCRES -- developing the growth of the information economy in Indiana -- through the development of new courses and new curricula that emphasize the practical application of information technology across a variety of disciplines and professional settings. In addition, part-time and adult learners in the state may incorporate these courses into programs of career development or enhancement.
• Are other universities developing schools dedicated to the study of informatics? IU is one of only a handful of universities in the United States that offer such a program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Similar programs have been established overseas at schools such as the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the University of Manchester in England and Nagoya University in Japan.
• Will the School of Informatics be a multi-campus school? Informatics will have its primary location at IUB and a strong presence at IUPUI as well. There are no immediate plans to extend it to other campuses, but this may well happen in the future.
• Where will the school get its faculty? Initially, the school will utilize faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences at IUB, as well as other schools on both campuses. Over time, and once continuing funding is in place, it will have a small core group of faculty.
• How will schools be compensated for these faculty? This will be worked out with the individual schools. In some cases, this might mean that the school is directly compensated for the released time, and in other cases it might mean that credit hours generated by faculty teaching in the School of Informatics will be credited back to their schools and used in distributing tuition income under resource-centered management. There may be the need for additional incentives. Over time, and as the school's own core faculty is established, the plan is to shift it to an RCM basis.
• How can students find out more about enrolling in the IU School of Informatics? Those interested in finding out more about the School of Informatics offerings at IUB should contact:

Informatics
406 Memorial Hall
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
phone: 812-856-5754
fax: 812-856-4764
informat@indiana.edu

Those interested in finding out more about the School of Informatics offerings at IUPUI should contact:

New Media Program
Mary Cable Building (SI) Room 117
525 North Blackford Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
phone: 317-278-7666
fax: 317-278-7669
wmccrear@iupui.eduwmccrear@iupui.edu