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The Name of the Major


Description

Informatics refers to the study of information systems and technology from a human perspective. It features the Information School's emphasis on a human-centered approach to systems design.

Informatics students study a range of information systems, from simple systems that support personal information management to complex systems that involve vast databases of distributed information manipulated in real-time by high-speed computer technologies. They analyze national and global information policy, the management of formal information systems in organizations, and the subtleties of everyday information behavior. They invent methods for representing, classifying and retrieving information, and they design new information systems that are responsive to people's needs and values.

Sample Job Titles
  • Database developer
  • Web designer/developer
  • Technology trainer
  • Software developer/consultant
  • Systems analyst
  • Interface/interaction designer
  • Information manager
  • Product developer
  • Software Consultant
  • Technical applications representative
  • Information policy analyst
  • Consulting associate
  • Business analyst

Program Admissions Requirements
  1. INFO 100 (5 credits), CSE 142 (4) and CSE 143 (5), STAT 311 (5); one English composition course selected from the University list (5), with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course. Departmentally approved transfer equivalents may be used to substitute for prerequisite courses. (Students may not receive credit for INFO 100 taken after CSE 142. Therefore, INFO 100 will be waived for students who have already completed CSE 142 or equivalent. If INFO 100 is waived, students make up the 5 credits by taking additional elective credits in the major.)
  2. Minimum 2.00 cumulative college GPA.
  3. Admission is competitive, based on the following criteria:
    1. Overall academic performance
    2. Grades in courses required for admission to the major
    3. Personal statement reflecting an interest in and commitment to becoming a major in this field
    4. Other evidence of interest and commitment to the field (e.g., work experience, internships).
      5. Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee admission.
  4. Application deadline is April 15. Students apply online at www.ischool.washington.edu between February 1 and April 15. Admission is for autumn quarter only.
  5. Transfer students should contact the Information School as soon as they become interested in the informatics major. The School will consider courses equivalent to CSE 143 and may allow a student to be admitted provisionally on the condition that the student completes CSE 143 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 2.0 during the summer before matriculating in the program.

Major Requirements
  1. Courses required for admission to the program (see above)
  2. Human Centered Strand (20 credits): INFO 310, INFO 311, INFO 320, and INFO 380
  3. Technical Strand (13 credits): CSE 373, INFO 340, and INFO 341
  4. Integrative Strand (23 credits): INFO 300, INFO 370, INFO 440, and INFO 490 or INFO 491
  5. Major Electives (12 credits minimum) selected from upper-division electives from the Information School and approved courses from outside departments.
  6. General Education: In order to meet graduation requirements, students must also satisfy the following General Education Requirements:
    1. English Composition (5 credits)
    2. Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 credits)
    3. Writing courses (10 credits)
    4. Natural World (20 credits)
    5. Individuals & Society (20 credits)
    6. Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts (20 credits)
    With courses required for the major, students will satisfy requirements for English Composition (pre-admission English composition requirement), Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (STAT 311), Writing (INFO 310, INFO 311, and INFO 320), and Natural World (CSE 142, CSE 143, and INFO 340, INFO 341, and INFO 440). In addition, with courses required for the major, students will satisfy a good portion of the requirements for Individuals & Society (INFO 310, INFO 311, and possible electives). Students will satisfy requirements for Visual, Literacy, and Performing Arts, by taking courses outside the major. (INFO 424, an elective in the major, will also count towards the VLPA requirement.)