In addition to the Bachelor of Science, you may also complete a degree option and have that option noted on your transcripts. The available options are:

Data Science

Data Science is an emerging interdisciplinary field that works to extract knowledge or insight from data. It combines fields such as information science, computer science, statistics, design, and social science. 

To meet the requirements for this option, 16-20 additional credits in Data Science must be taken beyond the Informatics core courses, from the following choices. Students may petition for additional courses to count toward this option here.

• INFO 370 Core Methods in Data Science
• INFO 371 Advanced Methods in Data Science
• INFO 430 (formerly 445) Database Design & Management
• INFO 474 Interactive Information Visualization

Human-Computer Interaction

The iSchool’s work in human-computer interaction (HCI) strives to make information and computing useful, usable, and accessible to all. The Informatics HCI option allows you to blend your technical skills and expertise with a broader perspective on how design and development work impacts users.

Courses explore the design, construction, and evaluation of interactive technologies for use by individuals, groups, and organizations, and the social implications of these systems. This work encompasses user interfaces, accessibility concerns, new design techniques and methods for interactive systems and collaboration. Coursework also examines the values implicit in the design and development of technology.

To meet the requirements for the HCI option, students must take 16-20 credits from the approved list of courses below. Students may petition for additional courses to count toward this option here.

• INFO 362 Visual Information Design (Formerly INFO 424 Information Visualization & Aesthetics)
• INFO 365 Mobile Application Design
• INFO 447 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
• INFO 442 (formerly 461) Cooperative Software Development
• INFO 463 Input and Interaction 
• INFO 464 (formerly 444) Value Sensitive Design
• INFO 466 Immersive Information Environments or INFO 467: Immersive Information Environment Design
• INFO 474 Interactive Information Visualization

Information Architecture 

Information architecture (IA) is a crucial component in the development of successful Web sites, software, intranets, and online communities. Architects structure the underlying information and its presentation in a logical and intuitive way so that people can put information to use.

As an Informatics major with an IA option, you will master the skills needed to organize and label information for improved navigation and search. You will build frameworks to effectively collect, store and deliver information. You will also learn to design the databases and XML storehouses that drive complex and interactive websites, including the navigation, content layout, personalization, and transactional features of the site.

To meet the requirements for this option, 16-20 additional credits in IA must be taken beyond the Informatics core courses, from the following choices. Students may petition for additional courses to count toward this option here.

• INFO 320 Information Needs, Searching, & Presentation
• INFO 331 (formerly 330) Introduction to Information Architecture
• INFO 431 Metadata Design
• INFO 432 Ontology Design
• INFO 433 Content Strategy in Information Architecture
• INFO 441 (formerly 344) Server-Side Development
• INFO 430 (formerly 445) Database Design & Management
• INFO 446 Advanced Search Engine Systems

Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (IAC) is the practice of creating and managing safe and secure systems. It is crucial for organizations public and private, large and small. In the IAC option, you will be equipped with the knowledge to create, deploy, use, and manage systems that preserve individual and organizational privacy and security.

This tri-campus concentration leverages the strengths of the Information School, the Computing and Software Systems program at UW Bothell, and the Institute of Technology at UW Tacoma. After a course in the technical, policy, and management foundations of IAC, you may take electives at any campus to learn such specialties as information assurance policy, secure coding, or networking and systems administration.

INFO 310 is the foundational course for the IAC option. (It is not part of the core curriculum for other Informatics students.) To meet the requirements for this option, you must take 11-15 credits of IAC electives in addition to INFO 310. Only one basic networking elective (either INFO 341, CSS 432, or T INFO 250) may count toward the IAC option. Students may petition for additional courses to count toward this option here.

UW Seattle IAC electives:

• INFO 312 Enterprise Risk Management
• INFO 314 (formerly 341) Computer Networks and Distributed Applications
• INFO 415 Emerging Topics in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (topics vary)

UW Bothell IAC electives:

• CSS 337 Secure Systems
• CSS 411 Computer Technology and Public Policy
• CSS 415 Emerging Topics in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (topics vary)
• CSS 432 Network Design

UW Tacoma IAC electives:

• T INFO 250 Foundations of Information Networking
• T INFO 415 Emerging Topics in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (topics vary)
• T INFO 441 Network Security
• T INFO 442 Computer Security
• T INFO 443 Digital Forensics

Student-Designed Concentration

Students may choose to develop their own concentration, with approval from the academic adviser. Student-designed concentrations are created out of a list of approved courses and also result in the Bachelor of Science degree. Students may petition for additional courses to count toward this option here.