DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major and Minor
The broad field of computer science includes hardware, software, networks, theory, artificial intelligence, graphics, human-computer interaction, and many other areas.
That’s far too much to fit in one four-year undergraduate degree.
Traditional computer science programs focus on analyzing and designing computers and computer systems, but the success of those systems depends not only on their intrinsic characteristics but also on the real-world situations where they will be used – the human users and their requirements, characteristics, and organizations.
Informatics studies computer systems in their real-world context and how to design and build those systems so they work effectively in that context.
- Computer Science studies computers; Informatics studies computers and people.
- Informatics focuses on the design and construction of information technology systems that will be effective in real-world situations. It includes not only building software but also examining of the human, organizational, and social context where the system will be used.
- Informatics is a common term for computer science in European universities, and is a growing field in American universities.
- Informatics is the interdisciplinary study of the design, implementation, use, and impact of information technology.
In Informatics we aim to:
- Design and develop new uses for information technology.
- Understand the effect information technology has on people.
- Apply information technology in fields ranging from medicine to music, from ecology to aerospace, from finance to entertainment.
The Informatics major will prepare you for careers like these:
- Software Engineer
- Human-Computer Interface Designer
- Information Architect
- Game Designer
- Systems Analyst
- Management Consultant
- Usability Engineer
- Mobile Computing Systems Designer
- Web Developer
- Database Designer/Manager
UCI's Informatics major offers a contemporary curriculum with an emphasis on group work (starting in the first course), studio-oriented design courses, a year-long senior project, and a friendly and supportive faculty.
Additional information about this degree can be found on the Department of Informatics web site.
› Is Informatics for me?
› What do I take?
› What can I do with this degree?
› Special Programs and Courses
› Still not sure?Is Informatics for me?
Informatics is for you if you:
- Enjoy solving problems using all the tools you have available.
- Can work not only with technical details but also with "big-picture" issues.
- Have strong reading and writing skills and can think freely, creatively, and systematically.
Previous experience in computer programming is not required to start the Informatics major.
Programming is just one aspect of Informatics and the major introduces all the necessary skills at a manageable pace.
Students who do already have some programming experience will also find new concepts, even in the very first course.
Informatics is for you if you would like to:
- Interact with people.
- Design creative solutions to real-world problems.
- Become a leader in the IT industry and the information economy.
Still not sure? Try the major advisor
Finding the right major can be a bit overwhelming, but by consulting our major advisor you should get a better sense of which Bren School major(s) are right for you.
What do I take?
A sample course of study for the Informatics degree is available.
This is just one example; students may complete these courses in any order that is consistent with the prerequisites and the actual offerings each year.
The first year of the program provides students with a hands-on introduction to the broad field of Informatics, centering on the Informatics Core Course. These courses develop students’ ability to construct software, with a focus on designing solutions, not just programming mechanics.
The second year builds up a portfolio of foundational concepts and techniques that establish the discipline of Informatics and return as parts of the "toolbox" students will use in subsequent years to solve large-scale information and software design problems.
The third year is the heart of the program: It discusses information and software design from many different perspectives. Social Analysis of Computerization and Organizational Information Systems describe how information and software design interact with the real world—the social and organizational context where the activity takes place.
Software Design I and II, and Software Architectures, Distributed Systems and Interoperability present a variety of different technical approaches to design and problem solving.
The fourth year is built around a year-long capstone project in which groups of students address a significant project, typically from an outside client.
In addition, the year completes the degree program with a variety of courses introducing advanced topics such as computer-supported cooperative work, and information retrieval, management, and visualization.
What can I do with this degree?
A degree in Informatics provides excellent preparation for work at the forefront of the computing industry. Our students work in many industrial settings, such as start-up companies, small software houses, consulting firms and multi-national corporations.
Graduates will design and develop online communities, new software tools, health care systems, and as-yet-unimagined systems that require a significant software and information component.
Job prospects abound for Informatics graduates.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts significant growth in exactly the kinds of careers for which the Informatics degree prepares its students. Average salaries range from $63,000 to $100,000 depending on the type of job and experience.
Many students will go on to graduate school, continuing their studies, conducting research, and earning graduate degrees in computer engineering, computer science, information science, management or law.
Special Programs and Courses
» CONCENTRATION IN GAME CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
The concentration in Game Culture and Technology is available to students majoring in Information and Computer Science, Informatics, Computer Science, and Studio Art.It exposes advanced students to an influential and expanding sector of media culture and contemporary art and technology practice, facilitates students’ media literacy in relation to an increasingly prevalent art and entertainment form, and enables students to be more critical consumers and producers of new media art and culture.
» OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONORS-LEVEL STUDY
Incoming freshmen majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information and Computer Science are invited to apply for admission to the Bren School of ICS's introductory honors sequence (ICS H21/H22/H23) in the summer preceding their fall quarter entry; details are provided during summer orientation workshops.The honors courses provide a uniquely challenging and intimate learning environment in which the conventional course material is explored in greater depth.
» BREN SCHOOL OF ICS HONORS PROGRAM
Allows juniors and seniors majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Informatics, or Information and Computer Science to pursue advanced work in one of many research areas.Students admitted to the program participate in an honors seminar, conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member, and write a research paper.
More information about eligibility criteria and benefits of successful completion of the honors program is available at the Honors program web site.
» INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
The School encourages all majors to take advantage of this valuable experience, and faculty advertise many research opportunities every year.Students are also encouraged to participate in the campus Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which offers guidance and grant funding for student-proposed independent research, and sponsors programs which provide summer stipends for students working on faculty-guided research.
» CAMPUSWIDE HONORS PROGRAM
Available to selected high-achieving students from all academic majors from their freshman through senior years. For more information see the CHP web site.» EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM
Upper-division students have the opportunity to experience different cultures while making progress toward degree objectives through the Education Abroad Program (EAP).EAP is an overseas study program which operates in cooperation with host universities and colleges throughout the world.
Still not sure?
Undergraduate counselors are eager to talk to you about this and other Bren School degrees, just drop them a note.
You may also want to visit campus, take a tour and experience the Bren School and UCI in person.
