• Informatics

Informatics - Self Designed Major

This document describes a possible major in Informatics, which could provide interested students with a model for a self-designed major. Please see the catalog for details on self-designed majors. This is not a preapproved set of requirements, since Muhlenberg does not currently have a major in Informatics or Information Systems.

Background

Information systems” (IS), “information science”, and “informatics” are some of the labels for the study of how information and communication technologies can be used effectively and efficiently to support organizations ranging from businesses to governments to non-profits. In particular, this discipline focuses first on understanding problems, and second on applying information technology (IT) as needed to solve those problems, rather than starting from IT. Thus, this discipline has been described as “the art, science, and human dimensions of IT" and "the study, application, and social consequences of technology" (e.g. LaborLawTalk.com). The relative emphasis in computer science, information systems, and other overlapping disciplines are illustrated in the following diagram:

Curriculum

A self-designed major in Informatics could consist of 14 courses divided into 4 categories, described below:

• 6 Prerequisite Courses. Most of these courses are prerequisites for core courses.
• 4 Core Content Courses. These are core topics that should be familiar to every informatics major.
• 3 Advanced Courses. These would be chosen to provide depth and a clear emphasis or focus. Note that some electives have additional prerequisites, usually in other departments.
• 1 Capstone Experience. This enables a student to integrate and relate knowledge, attitudes, and skills developed in other courses, and apply them to realistic situations.

A student interested in electronic commerce and web applications might choose:

• BUS 304: Electronic Commerce & the Internet

• COM 365: Hypermedia

• CSI 345: GUI & Web Programming

A student interested in quantitative analysis and modeling might choose:

• BUS 331: Management Science

• ECN 348: Industrial Organization & Strategic Behavior

• MTH 318: Operations Research

A student interested in organizational issues might choose:

• BUS 331: Management Science
• PHL 245: Business Ethics
• PSY 310: Industrial Organizational Psychology

A student interested in international issues might choose:

• PSC 256: American Foreign Policy

• PSC 328: International Law & Organization

• PSC 339: Theories of International Relations

References

• ABET Computing Accreditation Commission. Criteria for Accrediting Computing Programs. ABET, 2003. http://www.abet.org/criteria.html

• ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Task Force on Computing Curricula. Computing Curricula 2001. Journal of Education Resources in Computing (JERIC) 1(3) 2001. http://www.computer.org/education/cc2001

• Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-2005. U.S. Department of Labor.

• Davis, et al. IS 1997: Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems. Association of Information Technology Professionals, 1997. http://www.aisnet.org/Curriculum/

• Gorgone, et al. IS 2002: Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems. Association for Information Systems, 2002. http://www.aisnet.org/Curriculum http://www.is2002.org

• LaborLawTalk.com. http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/informatics

• Levy & Murnane. The New Division of Labor: How Computers are Creating the Next Job Market. Princeton University Press, 2005.

• National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE). Starting Salary Survey.