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Master's in Informatics Courses

The Master of Science in Informatics program requires completion of 33 hours of graduate study. After you have completed 12 hours of graduate coursework, you will decide if you want to pursue a thesis or a non-thesis track.

View the full curriculum for the MS degree program in Informatics >

Our program is the right fit for students with an informatics background as well as those who are new to the field. How you earn the Master of Science in Informatics will depend upon your undergraduate preparation.

  1. Students with an undergraduate degree in a related field of study (e.g., informatics, computer science, computer engineering) complete the following coursework:
    • 18 graduate credit hours of required core INFX courses
    • 3 graduate credit hours of INFX elective coursework
    • 6 graduate credit hours of (1) additional INFX elective coursework and/or (2) elective graduate-level coursework in a related discipline outside of INFX (e.g., Biology, Business, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology) as approved by the Graduate Coordinator
    • Thesis or Non-Thesis?  To complete the degree, students pursuing the Non-Thesis Track of study also take INFX 595: Master’s Project and INFX 591: Informatics Capstone while those doing a Thesis complete 6 graduate credit hours of INFX 599: Thesis Research and Thesis.
  2. Students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field of study complete the following required coursework:
    • 3 graduate credit hours of INFX foundation courses
    • 18 graduate credit hours of required INFX core courses
    • 6 graduate credit hours of (1) additional INFX elective coursework and/or (2) elective graduate-level coursework in a related discipline outside of INFX (e.g., Biology, Business, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology) as approved by the Graduate Coordinator
    • Thesis or Non-Thesis?  To complete the degree, students pursuing the Non-Thesis Track of study also take INFX 595: Master’s Project and INFX 591: Informatics Capstone while those doing a Thesis complete 6 graduate credit hours of INFX 599: Thesis Research and Thesis.

Informatics Courses

Informatics (INFX) courses are organized into eight categories:

  1. Of general interest to all areas
  2. Human computer interaction
  3. Information assurance and security
  4. Information management
  5. Information technology infrastructure
  6. Web systems and technologies
  7. Systems integration and architecture
  8. Special courses

Required Core Courses

All students complete the following 18 graduate credit hours of required core courses:

  • INFX 501: Foundations of Informatics - 3 Credit(s).
  • INFX 502: Systematic Methods in Informatics - 3 Credit(s).
  • INFX 510: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in Informatics - 3 Credit(s).
  • INFX 540: Informatics Network Infrastructures and Management - 3 Credit(s)
  • INFX 580: Systems Development - 3 Credit(s).
  • INFX 590: IT Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) - 3 Credit(s).

Concentrations

Customize your curriculum through the General concentration, or focus your coursework in one of the following areas:

 

  • Cybersecurity explores the facets of network design so you can identify vulnerabilities, mitigate security risks, and develop recovery solutions.
  • Data Science examines the theories and applications of database structures, data mining, data storage and management, machine learning, and data analysis and visualization.
  • Health Informatics examines how information technology can be used to address healthcare challenges and improve the quality and delivery of care.
  • UX Design focuses on understanding users’ needs and designing usable, accessible, and engaging technologies through user research, interaction design, prototyping, and usability evaluation.


Generalist Concentration (9 Credit Hours)

In addition to the 18 credit hours of required core courses and thesis or non-thesis requirements, the following coursework is required.

  • Any 500-level course offered in Informatics and/or those offered in a related discipline outside of INFX (e.g. Biology, Business, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, to name a few) as approved by the Graduate Coordinator. A maximum of six (6) credit hours of required 500-level coursework may be taken in a discipline other than INFX.


Cybersecurity Concentration (9 Credit Hours)

In addition to the 18 credit hours of required core courses and thesis or non-thesis requirements, the following coursework is required.

Data Science (9 Credit Hours)

In addition to the 18 credit hours of required core courses and thesis or non-thesis requirements, the following coursework is required.

Health Informatics (9 Credit Hours)

In addition to the 18 credit hours of required core courses and thesis or non-thesis requirements, the following coursework is required.

UX Design (9 Credit Hours)

In addition to the 18 credit hours of required core courses and thesis or non-thesis requirements, the following coursework is required.

  • INFX 511- User Experience Design Credit Hours: 3
  • 6 credit hours (two 3-credit courses, 500-level or higher) in approved related areas, such as Accessibility and Inclusive Design or Human-AI Interaction.

Thesis Track

If you choose to pursue a thesis, six credit hours of your graduate program is dedicated to helping you research and write your thesis. The thesis track emphasizes research, and is probably the best choice if you want to eventually pursue a doctoral degree or a career in research.

For the thesis track, students work with their committee to develop and defend, first, a written thesis proposal and, ultimately, a written thesis.

Students are encouraged to talk with faculty members and the Graduate Coordinator about research possibilities and thesis topics early. Once you’ve completed 12 graduate credit hours of coursework, you’ll  formally declare the thesis track and choose a thesis advisor and committee members.

Non-Thesis Track

If you choose the non-thesis track, you’ll complete a special project and a capstone project for your degree. The non-thesis option may be preferable if you’re planning for a career applying research and working in the field.

As a non-thesis student, you’ll complete the following courses to demonstrate a general, comprehensive knowledge of the informatics field:

  • INFX 591: Informatics Capstone 3 Credit(s).
  • INFX 595: Master’s Project 3 Credit(s).

Masters Internships

Students pursuing the non-thesis option may complete an internship as part of INFX 591: Informatics Capstone. Thesis students may also pursue an internship and earn course credit by registering in INFX 593: Master's Internship. Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own internship positions.