2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

Financial Assistance

Graduate Assistantships

Students may compete for a limited number of graduate assistantship appointments. Assistantships are awarded solely on the basis of merit. These appointments constitute the most common type of financial assistance offered through the School of Informatics. Graduate assistantships include a stipend and a fee scholarship. Students will be assigned to work in areas supporting the mission of the School of Informatics.

Students applying for admission to the program should complete the financial aid form if they wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Although the majority of financial aid is in the form of assistantships, a limited number of fellowships and scholarships are also available. Those receiving fellowships and scholarships are not required to perform any duties in return for the stipend. These awards are also made solely on a merit basis.

Students applying for admission to the program are considered for fellowships and scholarships; there is no additional application to complete. Awards are normally granted for an academic year. The school is developing new sources of funding, and students are encouraged to review the informatics Web site or call the School of Informatics for up-to-date information.

Grants

The GradGrants Center (GGC) is a free service available to all enrolled graduate students on all campuses of Indiana University. The GGC provides information and training to assist graduate students in their search for funding to further graduate study at Indiana University. The IUPUI center is located in the Union Building, room 518; (317) 274-4023.

Loans

Domestic students who need financial assistance not provided by any of the awards already mentioned are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid. For graduate students, most need-based aid is in the form of student loans. For further information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance, IUPUI, Cavanaugh Hall 103, 425 University Boulevard., Indianapolis, IN 46202; (317) 274-4162.

Academic Regulations

Applicability of Degree Requirements

Students may choose to complete either the specific degree requirements published in the appropriate bulletin at the time of entry into the university or those in the bulletin current at the time of graduation.

Residency Requirements

The campus at which a student is admitted will certify and award the degree.

Intercampus Transfer

Students enrolled in the School of Informatics at any campus of Indiana University may transfer to the School of Informatics on another campus, provided they are in good standing. However, international students may need to pay a processing fee.

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of 8 credit hours of graduate course work with grades of B (3.0) or higher may be transferred from other accredited colleges and universities and applied to the School of Informatics degree programs. The transfer must be approved by the dean, and is not an automatic occurrence. (See “Revalidation” section below.)

Revalidation

Normally, a course may not be counted toward degree requirements if it has been completed more than five years prior to the awarding of the degree for master’s students. The advisor may recommend to the dean that course work taken prior to the deadline be revalidated if it can be demonstrated that the knowledge contained in the course(s) remains current. Currency of knowledge may be demonstrated by: (a) passing an examination specifically on the material covered by the course; (b) passing a more advanced course in the same subject area; (c) passing a comprehensive examination in which the student demonstrates substantial knowledge of the content of the course; or (d) publishing scholarly research demonstrating knowledge of the content of the course.

Courses taken while an undergraduate and counted toward the requirements of a baccalaureate degree may not also be counted toward a graduate degree.

Grading System

The official grading system is as follows:

A = 4.0 D+ = 1.3

A– = 3.7 D = 1.0

B+ = 3.3 D– = 0.7

B = 3.0 F = Failed

B– = 2.7 I = Incomplete

C+ = 2.3 W = Withdrawn

C = 2.0 R = Deferred

C– = 1.7 NR = No grade reported

A minimum of a B (3.0) average in graduate work is required for continuance in graduate study. Courses completed with grades below C (2.0) are not counted toward degree requirements, but such grades will be counted in calculating a student’s grade point average. Note that no work may be transferred from another institution unless the grade is B (3.0) or higher.

Incomplete

A grade of Incomplete may be given only if the completed portion of a student’s work is of passing quality. It is the responsibility of the student to satisfy the requirements of that course within one calendar year from the date on which the Incomplete is recorded. The student is expected to finish all necessary work in time for the instructor to assign a regular grade before the expiration of this time period. If the student is unable to do so, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor of the course and the graduate advisor within the year to request an extension of time. Every overdue Incomplete will be changed to a grade of F after one calendar year.

Withdrawals

Because deadlines for withdrawal from courses may vary by campus and/or school, students should check with the current campus Schedule of Classes to verify deadlines and procedures.

Course Waivers

Requests for waivers of specific courses or requirements on the basis of previous course work are to be submitted in writing to the dean.

Credit Earned in Nondegree Status

Not more than 9 hours of graduate credit completed as a nondegree student may be credited toward a School of Informatics graduate degree. Deficiency courses do not apply to the 9 credit hours.

Graduate Credit

Generally, graduate credit may not be awarded for graduate courses taught by graduate students.

Academic Standing

Students are considered to be in good standing during any semester in which their academic grade point average is at least 3.0 (B) for both their last semester’s course work and for the cumulative average of all course work completed. Only courses with grades of C (2.0) or above may be counted toward degree requirements. However, grades below C are used in computing the cumulative grade point average, even if a course is repeated and a higher grade is earned.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on probation following a semester in which their graduate cumulative or semester grade point average falls below 3.0. Students on probation are required to attain an average of at least 3.0 for all graduate course work completed by the end of the next semester of full-time enrollment or its equivalent (9 credit hours). Failure to do so is cause for dismissal.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity requires that students take credit only for their own ideas and efforts. Misconduct, including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, or facilitating academic dishonesty, is prohibited because it undermines the bonds of trust and cooperation among members of this community and between us and those who may depend on our knowledge and integrity. Complete details are contained in the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Thesis

Depending on particular degree requirements, students will complete either a capstone project or a thesis under the guidance of an advisor. More details are given in the appropriate section for each program.

Degree Conferral

For all students seeking a master’s degree, an application for the degree must be filed with the School of Informatics at least 60 days before the date anticipated for degree conferral. All degree requirements must be completed at least 30 days prior to the date of expected degree conferral, including submission of the bound copies of the master’s thesis (if required for degree).

Time Requirements

All requirements for M.S. degrees must be met within five consecutive calendar years from the date of completion of the first credited (i.e., nondeficiency) course.

Master of Science in Bioinformatics (36 cr.)

Bioinformatics is a pure and applied science dealing with the collection, management, analysis and dissemination of biological data and knowledge, especially with respect to genetics and molecular biology. A Master of Science in Bioinformatics addresses needs for education in this rapidly growing field. This is an interdisciplinary program involving faculty from the departments of biology, computer science, chemistry, library and information science, and others.

The end of the twentieth century saw an explosion of data discovered from living organisms, especially in areas of molecular biology and genetics. The goal of bioinformatics is to deal with this flood of data, organize it as comprehensible information, and turn it into useful knowledge. For example, the flow of information from the Human Genome Project will revolutionize medical practice and biological research in this century and enable an understanding of most inherited diseases. Study of the genomic code, coupled with new understanding of its organization, regulation and function in cells, and in development of organisms, is forming the basis for designing new treatments for many diseases and for understanding and modulating health problems associated with aging. Genome information is quickly becoming the basis for designing new drugs. It is also central to the improvement of genomes of economically important crops and animals.

Experienced bioinformaticians are limited in number, while the need for them in industry, academe, and government has grown rapidly. Full understanding and application of this new data requires a large body of intelligent, creative, and experienced scientists with a firm understanding of both computation and biology. There is a current and projected shortage of such people and a pressing need for educational institutions to teach bioinformatics. In the mid-1990s, biosciences industries discovered the importance of bioinformatics to their goals and quickly stripped academic centers of many experts who would normally serve to educate a new generation of students. New directions following the unraveling of the genomic code also point to greatly increased information flow and an increasing scale in the application of computing methods to biosciences.

The School of Informatics collaborates closely with the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and the Department of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine, the Department of Computer and Information Science in the School of Science, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the School of Engineering and Technology. Research and learning opportunities for students abound.

Degree Requirements

The bioinformatics curriculum includes a set of core and elective courses covering concepts and training in bioinformatics, biosciences and informatics, and computer sciences. A primary goal of this curriculum is to provide scientists with a strong foundation in the areas of computation/informatics and biology, though their primary focus may be in one or the other area. The integration of knowledge from biology, computing, mathematics, and related areas will receive particular emphasis. Students with different levels of background in biology, computing, and informatics sciences are encouraged to apply. Students with academic deficiencies will address these through individually planned programs of suggested course work. Students will gain experience in the applications of computing methods to biology information by completing course work and nonclassroom original research projects. Informatics and biosciences faculty will supervise these projects jointly.

Prerequisites

Prospective students for graduate study in bioinformatics will be expected to have introductory background in both informatics and biology. Students need approximately 6 undergraduate credit hours of course work in biology, covering areas of molecular biology, genetics, and evolution. Students need approximately 6 undergraduate credit hours of computer science or informatics course work, covering areas of programming, discrete structures, and data structures. Students not having completed these prerequisites may need to take appropriate undergraduate courses to ensure regular progress through the program.

To receive the master’s degree, the applicant must be admitted as a graduate student and complete 36 credits in bioinformatics-related courses accepted for graduate credit, including 9 hours of core courses, 21 hours of electives, and 6 hours of project or thesis credit. The following courses may be used:

Core Courses (9 cr.)

CSCI 548 Topics: Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr.)

INFO I501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I502 Information Management (3 cr.)

Electives (21 cr.)

Electives are to be chosen, with prior approval of a graduate advisor, from a list of departments specific to each degree program. The following courses have been approved. Additional courses may be added to the student’s program with advisor’s consent. Note that elective courses may require prerequisites.

BIOL 484 Cellular Biochemistry (3 cr.)

BIOL 507 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)

BIOL 540 Topics in Biotechnology (3 cr.)

BIOL 548 Techniques in Biotechnology (3 cr.)

BIOL 641 Microbial Genetics (2 cr.)

CSCI 503 Operating Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 504 Concepts in Computer Organization (3 cr.)

CSCI 506 Management of the Software Development Process (3 cr.)

CSCI 507 Object-Oriented Design and Programming (3 cr.)

CSCI 520 Computational Methods in Analysis (3 cr.)

CSCI 536 Computer Networks (3 cr.)

CSCI 541 Database Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 542 Distributed Database Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 565 Programming Languages (3 cr.)

CSCI 580 Analysis of Algorithms (3 cr.)

CSCI 590 Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)

CSCI 590 Data Mining (3 cr.)

GRAD G865 Fundamental Molecular Biology (2-5 cr.)

MGEN Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3 cr.)

MGEN Q630 Genetics of Populations (3 cr.)

MGEN Q730 Methods in Human Genetics (3 cr.)

STAT 511 Statistical Methods I (3 cr.)

STAT 514 Designs of Experiments (3 cr.)

Project/Thesis (6 cr.)

Students must perform an independent research project and produce a report or thesis for public defense. The project might consist of a research paper, a designed artifact, or other appropriate deliverable format.

INFO I692 Thesis/Project in Bioinformatics (1-6 cr.)

Master of Science in Chemical Informatics (36 cr.)

The size of the information problem in chemistry is staggering. It can be judged from the fact that Chemical Abstracts Service adds over 700,000 new compounds to its database annually. Massive amounts of physical and chemical property data are generated each year for new and existing chemical substances. The avalanche of data can bury a chemical research project unless chemists find ways to cope with it. Fortunately, those trained in chemical informatics provide the tools to acquire, organize, and evaluate data, yielding new insights for further chemical research. Chemical informatics companies combine molecular simulation and data analysis techniques with high-quality graphical visualization to obtain stunning results. Chemical informatics thus helps chemists investigate new problems and organize and analyze scientific data to develop novel compounds, materials, and processes through the application of information technology.

The curriculum for a Master of Science in Chemical Informatics in the School of Informatics educates students in the following major aspects of chemical informatics:

• Information Acquisition: Methods used for generating and collecting data empirically (experimentation) or from theory (molecular simulation)
• Information Management: Storage and retrieval of information
• Information Use: Data analysis, correlation, and application to problems in the chemical and biochemical sciences

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

Prospective students for graduate study in chemical informatics will be expected to have training in both informatics and chemistry. If sufficient background has not been completed, some additional course work may be necessary to ensure progress through the program.

Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Informatics, or Other Information Fields  Students with a B.S. in any information-based field will need approximately 22 undergraduate credit hours of course work in chemistry to provide sufficient background for course work required to study for the M.S. in Chemical Informatics. This includes:

General chemistry with laboratory (two semesters)

Organic chemistry (two semesters)

Biological chemistry or biochemistry (one semester)

Physical chemistry (one semester)

Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry (B.A. or B.S.)  Students with undergraduate degrees in chemistry (typically 25 or more credits in chemistry or biochemistry courses) will need some preparative work in informatics. Four or more credits in formal informatics course work, computer science courses relevant to informatics, or bioinformatics or chemical informatics course work will provide the necessary background for graduate study. Students not having completed this study may need to take appropriate undergraduate courses to ensure regular progress through the program.

Core Courses (12 cr.)

INFO I501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I502 Information Management (3 cr.)

CHEM 696 Special Topics in Chemistry (3 cr.) Course content changes each semester. Students register for 3 credit hours for two semesters.

Electives (18 cr., at least 6 of which must be in chemistry or biochemistry)

Electives are to be chosen, with prior approval of a graduate advisor, from a list of departments specific to each degree program. The following courses have been approved. Additional courses may be added to the student’s program with advisor’s consent.

Biochemistry

BIOC B807 Enzyme Chemistry (3 cr.)

BIOC G865 Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (3 cr.)

BIOL K484 Cellular Biochemistry (3 cr.)

BIOL 507 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)

CHEM 533 Introduction to Biochemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 636 Biochemistry (3 cr.)

CSCI 548 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr.)

Analytical Chemistry

CHEM 621 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 629 Chromatography (3 cr.)

CHEM 696 Chemometrics (3 cr.)

Organic Chemistry

CHEM 651 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 652 Synthetic Organic Chemistry (3 cr.)

Physical Chemistry

CHEM 575 Intermediate Physical Chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 672 Quantum Chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 675 Chemical Kinetics (3 cr.)

CHEM 696 Introduction to Computational Chemistry (3 cr.)

 

Computer Science

CSCI 542 Distributed Database Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 590 Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)

CSCI 590 Data Mining (3 cr.)

New Media

NEWM N502 Digital Media Motion and Simulation Methods (3 cr.)

NEWM N504 Advanced Interactive Design Application (3 cr.)

Project/Thesis or Internship (6 cr. taken in the second year)

As a capstone experience, students will complete 6 credits of research, a project, or an internship under the guidance of a chemistry faculty member.

INFO I693 Informatics Thesis/Project in Chemical Informatics (1-6 cr.)

Laboratory Informatics (A specialization within the M.S. in Chemical Informatics)

Laboratory informatics is the specialized application of information technology to maximize laboratory operations. Laboratory informatics encompasses data acquisition, data processing, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory automation, scientific data management (including data analysis and long-term archiving), and electronic laboratory notebooks. Focus is on the application of this technology in analytical, production, and R&D laboratories. This specialization is embedded within the chemical informatics degree.

This professional, industry-oriented graduate program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in the physical or life sciences who seek advanced training in laboratory informatics to pursue careers in the agricultural, biomedical, chemical, food, petroleum, and pharmaceutical industries. Graduates will work primarily in commercial and municipal laboratories as operations specialists, LIMS analysts, and lab managers. A significant job market also exists with laboratory software and instrumentation companies in sales, service, and training positions.

The curriculum leading to the M.S. in Chemical Informatics with a specialization in Laboratory Informatics includes a common informatics core, a specialized core for the major, electives from other schools to build on the core foundation, and internships in real-world settings. Classes and labs will be taught in a state-of-the-art research facility.

Prerequisites

Students must posses a bachelor’s degree in an academic field that could be relevant to laboratories that utilize laboratory informatics. For example, a degree in plant biology could be relevant to a biotechnology laboratory, and a degree in chemistry could be relevant to an analytical laboratory.

Core Courses (6 cr.)

INFO I501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I502 Information Management (3 cr.)

Laboratory Informatics Specialization Courses (12 cr.)

INFO I510 Laboratory Instrumentation and Data Acquisition (3 cr.)

INFO I511 Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) (3 cr.)

INFO I512 Scientific Data Management and Analysis (3 cr.)

CHEM C571 Chemical Information Technology (3 cr.)

Electives (12 cr.)

Electives are to be chosen, with prior approval of a graduate advisor, from a list of departments specific to each degree program. The following courses are typical examples:

INFO I533 Seminar in Chemical Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I590 Topics: Scientific Computing for Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I590 Topics: Informatics Project Management (3 cr.)

STAT 511 Statistical Methods I (3 cr.)

Thesis/Project (6 cr.)

Students will complete 6 credits of research, a project, or an internship under the guidance of a chemistry faculty member.

INFO I693 Thesis/Project in Chemical Informatics (6 cr.)

Master of Science in Health Informatics (36 cr.)

The School of Informatics offers a Master of Science in Health Informatics to address needs arising from the rapidly changing health care environment. Research and educational programs in medical, nursing, and health informatics are growing at a rapid rate nationally. This can be attributed in large part to the increasing complexity and importance of health care reimbursement, which has created a need for improved classification, storage, and analysis of medical information to establish best clinical practice and cost efficiency. Users of health informatics include clinicians, researchers, health care educators, health organization administrators, health policy analysts, health information administrators, quality improvement directors, and chief information officers. Those who are professionally involved in health informatics work in a variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, managed care organizations, consulting firms, claims and reimbursement organizations, accounting firms, home health care agencies, long-term care facilities, corrections facilities, pharmaceutical companies, behavioral health organizations, insurance companies, state and federal health care agencies, and health computing industries.

The IUPUI campus is uniquely suited to conduct graduate education in health informatics through its health schools, research centers, and affiliated academic units. The School of Medicine has a long history of fellowship training and research in medical informatics. The School of Nursing, which is the largest in the country, is in the forefront in the development of nursing informatics, with a particular emphasis on consumer health informatics. The School of Library and Information Science offers master’s and doctoral degrees in information science, which are distinguished by their sociotechnical orientation. The school also has a broad research thrust exploring the interconnection of social, behavioral, and technological issues associated with the use of information and communication technologies. The Department of Computer and Information Science offers a master’s degree in Computer Science with a specialization in databases and data mining. The department supports the computer science requirements of the M.S. in Health Informatics. Faculty in the department is externally funded to conduct research in medical informatics and bioinformatics. Other academic programs at Indianapolis and Bloomington in public health, applied health sciences, and hospital administration offer important supporting course work.

Degree Requirements

To receive the Master of Science in Health Informatics, students must complete 36 credit hours of prescribed courses. In addition to core courses, students choose, in consultation with advisors, a set of concentration electives. Examples of concentration areas include 1) knowledge-based health care information, 2) health services informatics, and 3) clinical databases.

Knowledge-based health care information focuses on the storage, organization, evaluation, and dissemination of health and medical knowledge (e.g., textbooks, journals, other media, and information) to support evidence-based practice and patient education. End-users of knowledge-based health care information include clinicians, patients, health educators, and health planners.

Health services informatics focuses on information management in health care systems and addresses such diverse needs as patient flow, resource allocation, billing, and compiling and reporting of data. This involves developing information systems for processing and storing clinical data, complying with medical documentation requirements of accrediting and governmental agencies, and setting health information policies.

Clinical databases focuses on the storage of medical data and linkage of electronic systems. Study in this concentration is based on an electronic medical record system, which includes existing standards and coding, links between health-related databases, and data extraction for clinical care and management. Research is oriented to using such databases to learn more about disease and health maintenance (e.g., clinical epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, public health informatics, and nursing informatics).

Prerequisites (11 cr.)

All students applying for the M.S. in Health Informatics should have prerequisite courses or equivalencies in the following areas:

Anatomy, biology, or physiology
(200 level or higher) 3 cr.

Computer Science CSCI N301 3 cr.

Medical Terminology 2 cr.

Statistics 3 cr.

To receive a master’s degree, the applicant must be admitted as a graduate student and complete 36 credits in health informatics-related courses numbered 500 or above as listed below. The following courses are offered at IUPUI; courses may also be taken at IUB with approval of the advisor.

Core Courses (15 cr.)

All of the following are required:

INFO I501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I502 Information Management (3 cr.)

INFO I503 Social Impact of Information Technologies (3 cr.)

INFO I530 Seminar in Health Informatics Applications (3 cr.)

Choose one of the following:

NURS R505 Measurement and Data Analysis (3 cr.)

PBHL G651 Biostatistics for Public Health (3 cr.)

SPEA H518 Public Health Statistics (3 cr.)

Electives (15 cr.)

Electives may be selected from existing graduate courses in numerous schools and other academic units, depending on student need. Of these 15 credit hours, 9 credit hours must be selected from the list of informatics and computer science courses. (This list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive.) In consultation with their advisors, students will have wide latitude in choosing appropriate courses.

Informatics and Computer Science

CSCI 503 Operating Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 504 Concepts in Computer Organization (3 cr.)

CSCI 536 Computer Networks (3 cr.)

CSCI 541 Database Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 542 Distributed Database Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI 565 Programming Languages (3 cr.)

CSCI 590 Topics: Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)

INFO I531 Seminar in Health Informatics (1-3 cr.)

INFO I551 Independent Study in Health Informatics (1-3 cr.)

NURS T619 Computer Technologies (3 cr.)

SLIS L542 Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (3 cr.)

SLIS L570 Online Information Retrieval (3 cr.)

SLIS L571 Information Networking (3 cr.)

SLIS L574 Communication in Electronic Environments (3 cr.)

SPEA H628 Health Care Information Systems (3 cr.)

SPEA V516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.)

SPEA V519 Database Management Systems (3 cr.)

SPEA V611 Design of Information Systems (3 cr.)

SPEA V613 Implementation of Information Systems (3 cr.)

Design, Measurement, and Evaluation

AHLT W520 Research Methodology for Allied Health (3 cr.)

AHLT W570 Research Communication in Allied Health (3 cr.)

ECON E528 Economic Analysis of Health Care
(3 cr.)

NURS L650 Data Analysis for Clinical and Administrative Decision Making (3 cr.)

NURS R720 Metanalysis of Health/Illness or Disease/Illness (3 cr.)

NURS T617 Evaluation in Nursing (3 cr.)

PBHL G652 Biostatistics II (3 cr.)

SPEA H517 Managerial Epidemiology (3 cr.)

SPEA H521 Management Sciences for Health Services Administration (3 cr.)

SPEA H615 Strategic Management, Decision Making, and Evaluation II (3 cr.)

SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)

Health Sciences

AHLT W510 Trends and Issues in Allied Health (3 cr.)

AHLT W560 Topics: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3 cr.)

HPER C501 Program Planning in Public Health Education (3 cr.)

HPER C515 Health Education in Clinical Settings (3 cr.)

NURS M560 Teaching Strategies to Promote Client Functioning (3 cr.)

PBHL P503 Public Health Community Project (3 cr.)

SOC R515 Sociology of Health and Illness (3 cr.)

SPEA H501 U.S. Health Care Systems, Policies, and Ethical Challenges (3 cr.)

SPEA H503 Health Systems Organization and Management (3 cr.)

Project/Thesis (6 cr.)

As a capstone experience, students will complete either a project, planned in conjunction with their advisor, or a researched-based thesis, supervised by a research advisor and a thesis committee. Core and support faculty from the participating schools will have a wide range of research interests that will provide graduate students with choices relevant to their concentration areas.

INFO I691 Thesis/Project in Health Informatics
(1-6 cr.)

Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (36 cr.)

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the branch of informatics that studies and supports the design, development, and implementation of humanly usable and socially acceptable information technologies. The goal of the field is to shape new media and tools that will support human use, augment human learning, enhance communication, and lead to more acceptable technological developments at the individual and the social levels.

Research in HCI draws extensively on mainstream informatics concerns with cognition, communication, representation, and computation. HCI professionals seek to identify the nature and parameters of human information processing at the interface, design forms of representation that support human interpretation and use of information, reliably and validly test new technologies for usability and acceptability, and determine how information technologies change working practices and social activities.

Regular job postings for HCI personnel express a desire for professionals with suitable scientific training in design and evaluation, and increasingly, applied social scientists with technological skills are finding employment in the software industry as HCI professionals. At Indiana University, the HCI program draws from faculty campuswide to provide the appropriate blend of multidisciplinary expertise required to study this new discipline.

Prerequisites

Students may be asked to complete prerequisite course work by a graduate advisor to ensure progress through the program.

Degree Requirements

To receive the master of science degree, the applicant must be admitted as a graduate student and complete 36 credits of graduate study in HCI according to the following schedule:

Core Courses (15 cr.)

INFO I501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)

INFO I502 Information Management (3 cr.)

Six (6) credit hours of course work in Human-Computer Interaction

Three credit hours of Intermediate Statistics

Electives (15 cr.)

Electives are to be chosen, with prior approval of a graduate advisor, from a list of departments specific to each degree program. The following courses have been approved. Additional courses may be added to the student’s program with advisor’s consent.

Students must take courses from at least two departments. Note that some elective courses may require prerequisites.

BUS S601 MIS Research Topics in Applications Systems Design (3 cr.)

BUS S602 MIS Research Topics in Administration and Technology (3 cr.)

CSCI A504 Introductory C++ Programming (2 cr.)

CSCI A506 Object-Oriented Programming in C++ (2 cr.)

CSCI A546 User-Interface Programming (2 cr.)

CSCI A547 Network Technologies and Administration (2 cr.)

CSCI A548 Mastering the World Wide Web (2 cr.)

CSCI A591 Introduction to Computer Science (3 cr.)

CSCI A592 Introduction to Software Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI A594 Data Structures (3 cr.)

CSCI A596 Programming Languages (3 cr.)

CSCI A597 Introduction to Programming I (3 cr.)

CSCI A598 Introduction to Programming II (3 cr.)

CSCI B503 Algorithms Design and Analysis (3 cr.)

CSCI B521 Programming Language Principles (3 cr.)

CSCI B538 Networks and Distributed Computing (3 cr.)

CSCI B551 Elements of Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)

CSCI B561 Advanced Database Concepts (3 cr.)

CSCI B581 Advanced Computer Graphics (3 cr.)

CSCI B582 Image Synthesis (3 cr.)

CSCI B665 Software Engineering Management (3 cr.)

CSCI B666 Software Management Implementation
(1-3 cr.)

CSCI B669 Topics in Database and Information Systems (1-6 cr.)

CSCI B689 Topics in Graphics and Human-Computer Interaction (1-6 cr.)

CSCI P536 Advanced Operating Systems (3 cr.)

CSCI P565/P566 Software Engineering I-II (3/3 cr.)

CSCI P573 Scientific Computing (3 cr.)

EDUC R541 Instructional Development and Production I (3 cr.)

EDUC P544 Applied Cognition and Learning Strategies (3 cr.)

EDUC P600 Topical Seminar in Learning Cognition and Instruction (3 cr.)

EDUC R641 Instructional Development and Production II (3 cr.)

EDUC R685 Human-Computer Interaction Design
(1-3 cr.)

INFO I534 Seminar in Human-Computer Interaction (1-3 cr.)

INFO I554 Independent Study in Human-Computer Interaction (1-3 cr.)

JOUR J530 Issues in New Communication Technologies (3 cr.)

PSY P450 Human Factors (graduate credit available) (3 cr.)

SLIS L542 Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (3 cr.)

SLIS L576 Digital Libraries (3 cr.)

SLIS L578 User Interface Design for Information Systems (3 cr.)

SLIS L642 Information Usage and the Cognitive Artifact (Human-Computer Interaction II) (3 cr.)

SLIS L697 Advanced Topics in Information Systems (1-4 cr.)

SPHS S522 Digital Signal Processing (3 cr.)

TEL T541 Processes and Effects: Individual Level Theory and Research (3 cr.)

TEL T571 Applied Emotional and Cognitive Psychology Theory (3 cr.)

Project/Thesis (6 cr.)

Students will perform an independent research project, and produce a report or thesis, a designed artifact, or other appropriate deliverable format for public defense.

INFO I694 Thesis/Project in Human-Computer Interaction (1-6 cr.)

Master of Science in Media Arts and Science (30 cr.)

The Master of Science degree develops specialized skills and knowledge in new media with the purpose of preparing students to manage and conduct research on Internet and Web environments and multimedia production techniques. Like all new media programs, the master’s degree is focused on applied research and application. The course of study is oriented toward professional practice and relies on a theory base drawn from fundamental disciplines which study communication as sight, sound, and motion.

Skills and knowledge embedded in this degree program include: Web page and multimedia research design, computer programming and database programming, multimedia authoring language skills and data collection, software, multimedia development of audio and video impact on users, digital graphics assessment techniques, and writing and editing of materials for multimedia evaluation and assessment.

The Master of Science in Media Arts and Science includes required courses in new media with specific emphasis on philosophy and principles of the field as well as techniques using technology in communication and cybernetic/human interaction theory. Graduates will be prepared to conduct research in the development and effects of using communication technology in academic, social, and vocational settings. Opportunity will exist within the field for students to conduct applied research in media-related disciplines.

Career options include 2D/3D artist, animator, creative technologist, multimedia producer, director of software development, electronic publisher, hypermedia specialist, Internet developer, graphic artist, interactive trainer, music producer, multimedia developer, composer, techno-artist, video/audio editor, Webmaster, and Web site designer.

Admission Requirements

Students must hold a bachelor’s degree with demonstrated media arts skills. Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Students will be required to attend an interview to assess the applicant’s computer literacy, personal skills, and professional experience.

Students must present a portfolio. See section on graduate portfolio submission guidelines.

Students also must submit three letters of recommendation to support the application for admission.

Arrange for official transcripts to be sent from all colleges and universities attended by the applicant. Transcripts indicating, “issued to student” are not considered official. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or original seal of the issuing institution. Transcripts should be mailed directly by a registrar, or given to the applicant by the registrar in a sealed and signed envelope. International applicants should refer to the guidelines outlined in the International Graduate Application for Admission form. If the student has not completed all undergraduate course work at the time of application, the admission decision will be based on information available at the time of application. However, a final transcript showing graduation must be submitted before enrollment. Students who have taken course work on any Indiana University campus do not need to submit an Indiana University transcript.

Graduate Portfolio Submission Guidelines

The candidate’s portfolio should demonstrate a sufficient mastery of the knowledge and skills of design, interactive media, and/or three-dimensional digital graphics. This includes the ability to technically and creatively integrate the cumulative proficiencies of the candidate’s previous discipline into a representation that professionally demonstrates his or her experience, achievements, and creative problem-solving skills in digital technologies. Portfolios should include a collection of 15-20 works (maximum) that represent the candidate’s graphics, digital arts, and/or other proficiencies in three of the four areas below. Fifty percent of the works submitted must be from categories 1-3; i.e., areas pertaining to the visual arts.

1. 2D: Visual communication, design, and/or art
2. Interactive: Multimedia and/or hypermedia/Web design*
3. 3D: 3-dimensional graphics, simulation, gaming, and/or animation*
4. Other: Other forms of media or other disciplines

• Media: Film, video, etc.*

*One or more of these areas should include audio, video, or simulation

• Music: Recordings, scores, etc.
• Journalism: Examples of creative written works, published works, etc.
• Other disciplines: Published papers or research in the arts and sciences

All portfolios must be delivered in a digital format such as DVD, CD-ROM, or Web site. Floppy disks, videotapes, film, and audiotape will not be accepted. Portfolios should auto-run or a clear indication of a starting point must be identified. The committee will not open individual folders to review multiple works. The accumulated works must be in a predesigned presentation format (e.g. PowerPoint, Flash, Director, etc.). If the candidate submits copies of written works such as published papers or musical scores, they must be GBC or Coil bound into one document. Do not send three-ring binders or other forms of folders or binders.

The portfolio should include a Microsoft Word document or PDF that contains a detailed description of the submitted works with the following information:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Description of work
4. 4. Date of completion
5. Resources used: applications (software or program), platform, etc.
6. Additional comments

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree is a 30 credit hour program that includes a core of 18 hours and a specialization area of 12 hours. Electives will be available which allow students to specialize in “major field” areas within the new media graduate curriculum. Students must receive a B+ or higher in the required core courses, and a B or higher in the specialization core courses to remain in good standing.

Required Core Courses (18 cr.)

N500 Principles of Media Arts Production (3 cr.)

N501 TPCS: Foundations of Multimedia Technology (3 cr.)

N502 Digital Media Motion and Simulation Methods (3 cr.)

N503 Multimedia Design Applications (3 cr.)

N504 Advanced Interactive Design Applications (3 cr.)

N505 Internship in Media Arts and Technology (3 cr.)

N506 Media Arts and Technology Major Project (3 cr.)

N510 Web Database Concepts (3 cr.)

 

Specialization Core Courses (12 cr.)

Specialization courses must be selected from the 400- and 500-level courses offered in the schools of: Informatics, Art, Journalism, Music, Library and Information Science, or the departments of Computer Science and Computer Technology.

Area 1:

Computer Science

Computer Technology

Library Information and Science

New Media

Area 2:

Art

Journalism

Music

New Media

The New Media academic advisor and the head of graduate studies MUST approve the specialization core PRIOR to enrollment in the courses.