In addition to core requirements, students may choose to round out your BS degree in Informatics with courses related to one or more of the following competencies. These competencies are intended as recommendations for sets of classes which pertain to different skills and career paths which the Informatics degree supports. Students may also choose a mix of classes from across competencies, as they are not required to complete a competency to graduate with a B.S. in Informatics. Note that a few of the courses listed may have prerequisites within ICS beyond courses required for the B.S. in Informatics.
Although competencies will not show up on a student’s transcript, courses taken towards a competency can be helpful for including on a resume to signal developed skills to potential employers.
Interaction Design
Description: The design of interfaces relies on fundamentals of the visual layout and organization of interfaces, as well as Human-Computer Interaction methods for understanding how people interpret and perceive the design of technology. Conveying work and insights through portfolio pieces is critical to this area. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common in the field of user experience design.
- IN4MATX 132, Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction
- GDIM 127, Professional Studio/Practicum
- GDIM 51, Visual Design Fundamentals
- GDIM 55, Storytelling for Interactive Media
Interface Development
Description: Interface development requires understanding of user interaction as well as software design. Development principles are often explored in device- and domain-agnostic ways, emphasizing development fundamentals for interfaces used by people. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common in the field of frontend or full-stack development.
- IN4MATX 122, Software Design: Structure and Implementation
- IN4MATX 124, Internet Applications Engineering
- IN4MATX 133, User Interaction Software
- IN4MATX 134, Advanced Topics in User Interface Software
- IN4MATX 148, Designing for the Internet of Things
- GDIM 139, Special Topics in Game Programming
Health and Learning
Description: Health, wellbeing, and Learning are deeply intertwined with people’s daily experiences. Understanding and improving how technology is used in formal health and education settings like hospitals, clinics, and classrooms, as well as informal settings, can lead to better health and learning outcomes. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common in the field of health information technology and learning technology.
- IN4MATX 164, Children’s Learning and Media
- IN4MATX 171, Introduction to Health Informatics
- IN4MATX 172, Project in Health Informatics
- IN4MATX 173, Consumer Health Informatics
- IN4MATX 174, Health Data Analytics
Entrepreneurship
Description: Entrepreneurship is a route to create and deploy innovative technologies by building business ventures. Entrepreneurs organize the people, skill sets, and resources necessary to develop new markets and products. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common to technology innovation in existing companies and start-ups.
- IN4MATX 117, Project in Software System Design
- IN4MATX 162, Organizational Information Systems
- IN4MATX 163, Project in Organization Analysis of Information Systems
- GDIM 165, Games Entrepreneurship
Information Architecture
Description: Finding and using information is key to using information technology. Information architects and data managers work to structure information environments and build the tools that help people find the information they need when they need it. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common to the fields of user experience design, data management, and information retrieval.
- IN4MATX 132, Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction
- IN4MATX 141, Information Retrieval
- IN4MATX 143, Information Visualization
- CS 122A, Intro to Data Management
- CS 122D, Beyond SQL Data Management
User Research and Project Management
Description: Designing technologies that meet human needs requires understanding the people who will use them. User researchers study people to understand how technologies can fit into their lives and help them accomplish their day-to-day activities. Bringing projects to market, or indeed any successful enterprise technical or not, further requires the coordination of resources, including people, time, and infrastructure. This competency emphasizes skills and practices common to the field of user experience design, requirements engineering, and project management.
- IN4MATX 117, Project in Software System Design
- IN4MATX 132, Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction
- IN4MATX 162, Organizational Information Systems
- IN4MATX 163, Project in Organization Analysis of Information Systems
- IN4MATX 153, Design of Social and Interpersonal Technologies
- GDIM 131, Data Analytics for Games and Interactive Media
Academic Research
Description: For students who seek advanced study in topics related to any of the competencies described above, a supervised research experience may be an option for you. Research projects are co-developed and overseen by faculty and graduate students who are experts in their area of study, providing an opportunity to contribute new knowledge to your field. The Honors program and individual study complement core classes by deepening your domain knowledge and preparing you for graduate study. Note: we would recommend combining this with another competency.
- IN4MATX 199, Individual Study
- IN4MATX H198, Honors Research