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University of Washington Information School

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What is Informatics?

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  3. What Is Informatics?

The term “informatics” broadly describes the study, design, and development of information technology for the good of people, organizations, and society.

When the iSchool chose "informatics" as the name of its bachelor of science degree in 1999, the term was not widely used in the U.S.  The name was chosen because it spoke to the opportunities that are available to students with the strong technical background needed to develop solutions to the world’s information challenges.

The Informatics major was designed to be conceptual and practical, academic and professional, and focused on the human and humanistic dimensions of the design and use of information systems. The vision remains intact: the Informatics major at UW speaks directly to the need for trained and skilled professionals in every sector of society who can turn information into actionable knowledge.

The Classification of Instructural Programs (CIP) describes Informatics as:

"A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. Includes instruction in information sciences, human computer interaction, information system analysis and design, telecommunications structure and information architecture and management."

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News

4 scholarship recipients

5 iSchool MLIS students awarded ALA Spectrum Scholarships

Monday, September 18, 2023
Five University of Washington Master of Library and Information Science students are among the recipients of the 2023-2024 Spectrum Scholarships, the American Library Association has announced.  The Spectrum Scholarship Program...
Read more
Nassim Parvin

Professor driven by firm belief in social justice

Monday, September 18, 2023
Nassim Parvin uncovers hidden sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia and other social injustices in technology and product design — issues that surface as biases in self-tracking devices, for example, or in the assumptions embedded in the...
Read more

Events

Sep 27
 
8:00-10:30AM

ALISS: Coffee Hour

Mary Gates Hall, iSchool Lounge (416)
Sep 27
 
5:00-7:00PM

Informatics Application Essay Workshops

Zoom / Online
Sep 28
 
3:00-4:00PM

"Why Museology?" Prospective Student Information Session

Zoom / Online
Sep 28
 
5:00-7:00PM

Informatics Application Essay Workshops

Zoom / Online
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© 2023 UW Information School
Box 352840 - Mary Gates Hall, Ste. 370
Seattle, WA 98195-2840
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