Indiana University School of Informatics Edward Robertson

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Indiana University School of InformaticsEdward
Robertson
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Outline

• What is Informatics?
• Our programs
• Our status
• Information Engineering

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Definition 1What Informatics is NOT

• Informatik (or Informatique)
• Computer science
• Computer science lite
• Library information science
• Certification in _________

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Definition 2By analogy

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

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Definition 3Result of new trends

• Convergence of
• technology pervasive, powerful, inexpensive
• users experienced, demanding
• applications emergent

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Definition 4The Slogan

• Informatics is the Art, Science, Human
  Dimensions of Information Technology
• Build on that to mean information technology
  applied to human problems

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A. I. Mikhailov, A. I. Chernyi, R. S.
Gilyarevskii (1967) Informatics -- New Name of
the Theory of Scientific Information Informatic
s is the discipline of science which 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
would 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.
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Definition 5Practical Politics

• Something that is fundable
• hi-tech
• economic development
• job-oriented education

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How 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.

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Five Corners of Informatics
YHuman
Human Computer Interaction
Social/ Organizational
New Media
XTechnical
Distributed Information
Logical/Math Foundations
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Core Academic Areas (at IU)

• Mathematical and Logical Foundations
• Distributed Information and Knowledge Systems
• Human Computer Interaction
• Social and Organizational Informatics
• New Media

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Appropriate to IU and State

• Builds on computing center successes Internet2
  NOC, etc.
• Builds on academic strengths arts science
  (CS), cognitive science, med school, SLIS, etc.
  (note what is missing)
• IU Pres. Myles Brand calls for IU to become a
  leader in absolute terms in the use and
  application of information technology
• Supports a high-tech corridor (Bloomington/Indy/La
  fayette) make state of Indiana IT leader in
  mid-west

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Important Features

• Umbrella school does not stand alone
• At both IUB and IUPUI
• Initial degree focus on undergrad MS
• Attract students who might not otherwise come to
  IU
• New Media Program (IUPUI)
• Informatics Research Institute (IRI)
• Industrial links

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Partner Units
Computer Science (IUB), Cognitive Science
(IUB) Computer and Information Science
(IUPUI) School of Library and Information Science
Electrical and Computer Engineering
(IUPUI) Computer Technology (IUPUI) Telecommunicat
ions (IUB) Journalism (IUB) Chemistry
(IUB) Biology (IUB, IUPUI) Center for Genomics,
Proteomics, Bioinformatics Allied Health
Sciences, Medicine, Nursing (IUPUI) Instructional
Systems Technology (Education, IUB) CIS, Decision
and Operation Technologies (Business, IUB) . . .
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The 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.

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Cognate Areas
Chemistry Computer Science Computer
Technology Economics Education (IST) English
(Technical Writing) Fine Arts Geography Interior
Design Journalism Linguistics Mathematics Psychol
ogy Cognitive Science Political Science Public
and Environmental Affairs Telecommunications
. . . and many others . . .
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UndergraduatesThe Truth!

• An Informatics BS with a Computer Science cognate
  is CS BA without
• calculus
• foreign language
• An Informatics BS with Econ is Business CIS
  degree without
• accounting
• marketing

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UndergraduatesThe Challenge

• How to develop sufficient analytical skills in
  students who are math-phobic.

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InformaticsProfessional M.S. Degrees

• Health Informatics (IUPUI)
• Bioinformatics
• Chemical Informatics
• first in North America
• Human Computer Interaction (IUB)
• New Media (IUPUI) also undergrad

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Masters ProgramsThe Challenges

• Handling students from a wide variety of
  backgrounds
• Chemical Informatics at Sheffield requires BS in
  Chemistry
• Accommodate disciplines without becoming too ad
  hoc
• Is Bioinformatics more than gene sequencing?
• Staffing

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New Media Program (IUPUI)

• Certificate in Internet Development
• A.S. in Media Arts and technology
• B.S. in Media Arts and Science
• M.S.in Media Arts and Science

http//newmedia.iupui.edu/
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The Informatics Research Institute

• IUB/IUPUI
• Bio/chemical/health informatics
• HCI
• Arts
• (e.g. theater lighting)
• Industrial partnerships

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IPCRES Laboratories

• Indiana Pervasive Computing RESearch initiative
• 29.9 million from the Lilly Endowment
• 6 labs at IUB/IUPUI
• World-class faculty leaders
• plus junior faculty/staff
• Industrial partnerships

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IPCRES Overview

• A program to create a world-class research and
  development capability in Indiana in technologies
  for the 21st century information economy.
• An initiative focused on developing the growth of
  the information economy in Indiana.
• Building the high-wage segment of the workforce
  most closely connected with information
  technology
• Retention of highly trained graduates in Indiana.

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IPCRES Research Laboratories Software
Technologies

• Information Grids and Portals internet
  application protocols, pervasive information
  services
• Human-Computer Interaction tele-immersion,
  augmented reality, user interfaces
• Smart Devices remote instruments, intelligent
  appliances, PDAs
• Network Agents software components acting on
  behalf of human users
• Open Software interoperability, software
  standards

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IPCRES Research Laboratories Advanced
Telecommunication

• High Performance Networking design advanced
  protocols for high-bandwidth networks
• Wireless Mobile information interchange over
  wireless communications networks
• Convergence voice, data, video on a common
  network infrastructure
• Privacy Security protect individual privacy
  and secure information assets
• Distributed Storage storing, preserving,
  locating, and accessing networked information

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INGEN

• INdiana GENomics initiative
• 105 from Lilly Foundation
• For IUs Medical School their first significant
  program in genomics
• Major target is human genome
• Some support for Biology (Flybase), Informatics,
  ???

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Process

• 1997-98 Informatics Taskforce
• Defined scope, general specifications
• (15 members), Rich Shiffrin (IUB Cog Sci.
  Dir.)
• Summer 1998 Informatics Planning Committee (11
  members), Dennis Gannon (IUB CS chair)
• Spring 1999 Informatics Faculty Advisory Council
  
• Formal proposal for new school curricula(56
  members), Mike Dunn. Approval by Faculty
  Councils, etc.
• November 12 1999 Approved by State Higher
  Education Commission
• Fall 2000 Funding request to State government
  (also first undergrad majors)

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Timetable

• Fall 2000 Admit first undergraduate students in
  a pilot year, planned to phase in courses for
  freshmen, sophomores.
• Actually larger enrollments, more advanced
  students.
• Fall 2001 Phase in rest of undergraduate
  courses. Bioinformatics, Chemical Informatics
  M.S. on both campuses. HCI at IUB. Health
  Informatics at IUPUI.
• Fall 2002 M.S. in HCI at IUPUI. Certificate
  Programs on regional campuses.

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Administration
Dean J. Michael Dunn (Philosophy, CS, Cog. Sci.,
IUB) Executive Associate Dean and Director of
New Media Program Darrell Bailey (Music,
IUPUI) Assoc. Dean Ed Robertson (CS,
IUPUI) Assoc. Dean Doug Perry (Allied Health
Science, IUPUI) Assoc. Dean Chris Ogan
(Journalism, IUB) HCI Director Andy Dillon
(SLIS, Cog. Sci) Bio/Chemical Informatics
Director Gary Wiggins (Library, IUB) Assoc.
Dirs Snehasis Mukhopadhyay (CS, IUPUI)
Kenneth Lipkowitz (Chemistry,
IUPUI) Health Informatics Director Anna
McDaniel (Nursing, IUPUI) Informatics Research
Institute Co-Directors John Huffman (Chemistry,
IUB) Mathew Palakal (CS, IUPUI)
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Funding
Current funding comes from President and from
Lilly Endowment. Expected to be sufficient to run
School at low level for 5 years will be hard to
make it last for 2. Highest priority of Indiana
University. Asked Legislature for 16M annual
funding. Strong industrial support. Prospects
half to none. Cannot back away students already
enrolled. Cannot cannibalize other units
destroy umbrella school
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Faculty (as of today)

• 90 founding faculty from existing units.
• 6 FTE Informatics faculty, mostly joint
  appointments
• Joint appointments implement umbrella school
• 1 pro bono course by states preeminent
  entrepreneur
• 1 new joint hire
• 10 New Media faculty.
• Several joint searches ongoing
• Hiring up to 4 wholly Informatics faculty

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Industry Role

• Deans Council
• state-oriented
• 20 individual members
• building state support
• fund raising
• Corporate Affiliates later
• Internships, student projects
• Adjunct faculty
• Curricular/research directions

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Information Engineering

• Two possible interpretations
• Raising Information Technology to an
  engineering discipline
• The design of the information structure for
  information systems

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Informatics andInformation Engineering (2)

• Very much a personal concern
• Architecture as well as engineering
• Most other faculty do not appreciate issues
• Likely to be too formal for undergrads
• (who came to Informatics to escape math)

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Informatics andInformation Engineering (1)

• Ambiguities in interpretation of Information
  Technology
• students
• recruiters
• Information dependence on technology is
  coincidental, rather than inherent