What is Informatics?

1.Definition 1: What Informatics is NOT• Informatik (or Informatique)• Computer science• Computer science lite• Library information science• Certification in _________

2Definition 2: By analogy• Informatics is to other disciplines

as management info. systems is to business• This explains the hyphens, as in chem-informatics, theater-

informatics, etc.

3Definition 3: Result of new trends• Convergence of technology pervasive, powerful, inexpensive

usersexperienced, demanding applications emergent

4Definition 4: The Slogan• Informatics is the Art, Science, Human Dimensions of Information

Technology• Build on that to mean information technology applied to human

problems

A. I. Mikhailov, A. I. Chernyi, R. S. Gilyarevskii (1967) Informatics -- New Name of the Theory of Scientific Information:

“Informatics is the discipline of science that investigates the structure and properties (not specific content) of scientific information, as well as the regularities of scientific information activity, its theory, history, methodology and organization. The purpose of informatics consists in developing optimal methods and means of presentation (recording), collection, analytical-synthetic processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination of scientific information. Informatics deals with logical (semantic) information, but is not involved in qualitative estimation of this information. Such an estimate can be carried on by specialists alone, in the specific fields of science or practical activity. J. G. Dorfman (1966) It could be more reasonable to use informatics as the name of a science which deals with the basic ideas, methods, and means of collecting, processing, storing, retrieving and disseminating any one type of information.”

5Definition 5: Practical Politics• Something that is fundable• Hi-tech• Economic development• Job-oriented education

6How differs from Computer Science, Library and Information Science• More general covers issues related to information in both

associated disciplines.• More basic examines foundational questions about the nature of

information and communication.• More applied produce information technology professionals with

knowledge of an application area.

7Five Corners of Informatics

YHumanHuman Computer InteractionSocial/ OrganizationalNew Media

XTechnicalDistributed InformationLogical/Math Foundations

8The Informatics Undergraduate Degree• Combines a traditional academic discipline in the sciences,

humanities, arts or professions with a deep exploration of the associated information science and technology, e.g. Chemistry, Fine Arts, Journalism, Economics.

• Requires a senior project, typically one-year working with a multi-disciplinary team to solve a real (industry specified) application problem.

• Includes the role technology plays in our lives and culture.