School of Informatics

What is Informatics?

Informatics develops new uses for information technology and in order to solve specific problems in areas as diverse as biology, fine arts, and economics. Informatics is also interested in how people transform technology, and how technology transforms people.

The following are exemplars of new informatics areas:

Digital cinematography (Entertainment Informatics)
Design of interactive IT systems for resorts and casinos (Hospitality Informatics)
Design of digital interfaces in computing, entertainment, digital appliances, etc. (Digital Media/Human Computer Interaction)
Developing anti-spam and anti-phishing tools (Cybersecurity)
Computing and Network Forensics (Cybersecurity)
Innovation with virtual reality technologies (Digital Media/Human Computer Interaction)
Digitizing the choreography of a play (Entertainment Informatics)
Understanding the human genome (BioInformatics)

In many ways, informatics is a bridge connecting IT to a particular field of study such as biology, chemistry, fine arts, telecommunications, geography, engineering, business, economics, journalism, etc. Because of this, all undergraduate Informatics students choose a field or discipline that interests them (which we call a cognate ). The cognate allows them to follow their own personal interests, and take courses in other programs at UNLV.

Some cognates lead to recently recognized disciplines, as ecology leads to eco-informatics. Other cognates lead to well-understood careers that are just now emerging as disciplines, such as fine arts leading to the design of interactive Internet Web sites, animations, digital motion pictures, and interactive art. For those interested in computers and programming, the computer science cognate adds further technology strength to our human-centered, problem solving curriculum.

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Informatics is to provide an academic path for students who are interested in pursuing a career that combines computing and information technology with another academic discipline. The curriculum is inherently interdisciplinary, and recognizes that the human, information and technology dimensions of problem solving are equal contributors in advanced informatics applications areas. The School of Informatics will produce graduates that become successful and internationally competitive educators, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders in the global information economy.

Graduates from the School of Informatics will possess the skills to apply information technology deeply and effectively in related disciplines, referred to as "cognate" areas. These graduates will be ideally suited to achieve profound advances in these cognate areas. They will also possess general knowledge in the discipline of informatics, which will enable them with the principles and conceptual framework necessary to invigorate any discipline using advanced information technology.