2009-2011 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.
School of Informatics
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Director
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| Berghel, Hal |
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(1999), Professor; B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln. |
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Graduate Coordinator
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| Nasoz, Fatma |
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(2006), Assistant Professor; B.S., Bogazici University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Central Florida. |
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Graduate Faculty
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| Aalberts, Robert J. |
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(1991), Leid Professor; B.A., Bemidji State University; M.A., University of Missouri; J.D., Loyola University. |
| Brewer, Kathleen Pearl |
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(1993), Professor; B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Purdue University. |
| Jo, Ju-Yeon |
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(2006), Assistant Professor; B.S., Dongguk University; M.S., The University of Connecticut; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University. |
| Palmer, Craig |
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(1995), Adjunct Professor; B.S., Brigham Young University; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia. |
| Rice, Stephen |
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(1996), Professor; B.S., M.Engr., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. |
Informatics addresses the impact technology has on people, the development of new uses for technology and the application of information technology in the context of another field. Information technology (IT) is rapidly changing the world, creating new challenges and opportunities every day. In fact, the impact of IT is so great that a new field, informatics, was created to study it. Informatics equips students to study IT, consider its social impact, and find ways to use technology to solve problems. Usually, informatics is used within another field, and a number of specializations are now identified, such as bioinformatics, cybersecurity, chemical informatics, human-computer interaction design, new media, and healthcare informatics.
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)
developing medical information system tools (Healthcare Informatics)
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 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.
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. At the graduate level, the School of Informatics offers M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in Informatics. Each degree program has different curriculum requirements.
Programs
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