Courses
NEW: Fall 2008 I590/B669 Topics in Data and Search Informatics, Mon 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Related courses, graduate
Topics in Data and Search Informatics (I590/B669)
Human-Computer Interaction Design Theory (I604)
Natural Language Processing (B651)
Search Informatics: Google under the hood (I427)
Elements of Artificial Intelligence (B551)
Knowledge Based Computation (B552)
Cognitive Science for Human-Centered Informatics (I608)
Advanced Database Concepts (B561)
Web Mining (B659)
Visual Analytics (I590)
Distributed Systems (B534)
Database System and Internal Design (B669/I690)
Computer Networks (P538)
Service Architectures and Science: Tools and Technology for
Computational Science (B649)
Introduction to Bioinformatics (I519)
Science and other Domain Informatics (I617)
The Informatics of Complex Systems (I601)
Mathematics and Logical Foundations of Informatics (I611)
Algorithms Design and Analysis (B503)
Computer Models of Symbolic Learning (B652)
Seek and Find: Search strategies in space and time (I400/I590)
Software engineering management (B665)
Software management implementation (B666)
Related courses, undergraduate
Data Mining (I421)
Information Representation (I308)
Topics in Web-based Database Application Design and Implementation (I399)
Computer Networks (P438)
Notes from Spring 2007 discussion of curriculum
April 3, 2007: in a very well attended panel discussion (over 20 people), faculty, students, and administration examined possible directions the School of Informatics can take in programs and curriculum for students interested in studies in the Science of Data and Search. Panel members included Dirk Van Gucht, Dennis Groth, David Leake, and Fil Menczer. It was moderated by Beth Plale. The panel discussed foundations of search, and it was noted that foundations include both computational and non-computational aspects of search.
The panel discussed ways to integrate courses into current degree programs, including using the creativity requirement at the graduate level in CS to create specializations. A specialization might include an introductory course that all graduate students interested in the Science of Data and Search might take, followed by 2 courses selected from a set. We discussed certificates, which can be established for up to 29 credits with only internal IU approvals. Cognitive Science and the logic program issue certificates. A certificate can be awarded to any graduate student that satisfies the criteria. Additional options in CS include an internal minor (3 courses) or an external minor (3-4 courses.)
The Bachelors degree in the Informatics Dept has specializations ("cognates"). There is growing interest in moving from "cognates" to "minors", because for one, the minor appears on the diploma, while the cognate is managed by the student, that is, it shows up on a student's resume. On the Computer Science side, the BS students already have a chock-full schedule. The question of how a minor would work there raised some concerns since in taking a minor within a department, there can be no course overlap. So a minor, given the heavy course load required for the BS, would mandate a 5 year degree. The CS undergraduate committee is considering creating specializations within the BS, and the panel strongly supports this direction.
In a radical stance, it was suggested that DSI break away from trying to work within the piece-meal artifacts (minors, cognates, certificates as solutions) of two departments that recently came together, and drive for an ideal solution based on a single unified school with unified degrees. This stance had a surprising amount of support. The concern was raised that this solution, while potentially optimal in the long run, might cause considerable start-up slowdown as the underlying structural barriers are addressed one-by-one and removed.
The outcome of the panel discussion was a clear need to continue the discussion. A second meeting is scheduled for April 18. The materials from the meeting are available below, including a draft of the kinds of jobs that students coming through DSI might take upon graduation. This latter topic will be discussed in the upcoming meeting. We hope to gather student feedback at the next meeting as well.
Respectfully submitted, Beth Plale, IRI/DSI Director
Relevant documents
