University of Washington Information School
Encyclopedia
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
is an undergraduate
Undergraduate education
Undergraduate education is an education level taken prior to gaining a first degree . Hence, in many subjects in many educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a bachelor's degree, such as in the United States, where a university entry level is...
and graduate school that offers BS
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, MLIS
Master of Library and Information Science
The Master of Library and Information Science is the master's degree that is required for most professional librarian positions in the United States and Canada. The MLIS is a relatively recent degree; an older and still common degree designation for librarians to acquire is the Master of Library...
, MSIM, and PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degrees. Formerly the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences (GSLIS), the Information School changed its focus and name in the late 1990s.
Its current dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
is Harry Bruce
Harry Bruce
Harry Bruce, Ph.D, is a Professor and current Dean of the Information School at the University of Washington. His research interests focus on human information behavior, information seeking, personal information management, and networked information environments...
.
Facilities
The school is located in the University of Washington's Mary Gates Hall, one of several university buildings bordering Drumheller Fountain. Formerly known as the Physics Building, it was renamed after a $10 million gift from the family of Mary Maxwell GatesMary Maxwell Gates
Mary Maxwell Gates was an American businessperson. Gates served 18 years on the University of Washington board of regents...
. In 1999 a $35 million expansion and expansion added technologically sophisticated classrooms and computer labs, office spaces and commons, transforming the 1928 historic building and 1949 addition into a 175,000 square foot quadrangle with a skylit commons at its center and a new main entry facing the Suzzallo Library
Suzzallo Library
Suzzallo Library is the central library of the University of Washington in Seattle, and perhaps the most recognizable building on campus. It is named for Henry Suzzallo, who was president of the University of Washington until he stepped down in 1926, the same year the first phase of the library's...
. The architects of the original building were John Graham & Company
John Graham & Company
John Graham & Company, or John Graham & Associates was the name of an architectural firm, founded in 1900 in Seattle, Washington by English-born architect John Graham , and maintained by his son John Graham Jr. ....
and of the 1999 project the architects of record were Bassetti Architects
Bassetti Architects
Bassetti Architects is an architectural firm based in Seattle, Washington with a second office in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1947, the firm has designed several well-known Seattle landmarks and many schools in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area, including several buildings at the Pike Place...
.
Bachelor's Program
The Information School offers a single undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Science in InformaticsInformatics (academic field)
Informatics is the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of information systems. Informatics studies the structure, algorithms, behavior, and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process, access and communicate information...
degree. The Informatics program is a competitive two-year program, focused on the design of information systems
Information systems
Information Systems is an academic/professional discipline bridging the business field and the well-defined computer science field that is evolving toward a new scientific area of study...
and services. The program touches on privacy issues, ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
, and management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, as well as search engines, web development, and database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
design. Students are asked to study a broad range of areas in the information field, including: Information Management and Technology, Information related research, interactive system design, human-computer interaction, and information science. Graduates of the program typically go on to jobs such as:
- Information architect
- Web designer
- Interface designer
- Network administratorNetwork administratorA network administrator, network analyst or network engineer is a person responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprises a computer network...
- IT director/manager
- Technology solutions consultant
- Project managerProject managerA project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
- Web developerWeb developerA web developer is a software developer or software engineer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser....
- Systems analystSystems analystA systems analyst researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. They will be familiar with multiple variety of programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms...
Informatics focuses particularly in the following areas:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Information ArchitectureInformation ArchitectureInformation architecture is the art of expressing a model or concept of information used in activities that require explicit details of complex systems. Among these activities are library systems, Content Management Systems, web development, user interactions, database development, programming,...
- Networks and Information AssuranceInformation AssuranceInformation assurance is the practice of managing risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data and the systems and processes used for those purposes...
- Social computing and social informatics
The program's curriculum culminates in a capstone project in either design or research. Approximately 140 students are enrolled in the Informatics program.
Master's Programs
The Information School offers two Master's degrees: the MSIM, a Master of Science in Information ManagementInformation management
Information management is the collection and management of information from one or more sources and the distribution of that information to one or more audiences. This sometimes involves those who have a stake in, or a right to that information...
degree, and the Master of Library and Information Science
Master of Library and Information Science
The Master of Library and Information Science is the master's degree that is required for most professional librarian positions in the United States and Canada. The MLIS is a relatively recent degree; an older and still common degree designation for librarians to acquire is the Master of Library...
degree.
Master of Science in Information Management
The Master of Science in Information Management degree is a two-year professional degree that takes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of information systems and policy, drawing on computer scienceComputer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, information science
Information science
-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, and law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
to inform its curriculum. The MSIM program is divided into two sub-programs: the day program, a traditional, daytime program for students of all academic and work backgrounds with a current enrollment of 62 students; and an executive program, an evening and weekend program tailored to working professionals with 43 currently enrolled students.
Graduates work in a variety of professional areas and positions, including but not limited to:
- Project Management
- Web Development
- Information Management
- Chief Information Officer
- Organizational Analysis
- Information Architecture
- Systems Analysis
- Database Management
- Information Systems
- Software Development
- Technology Management
- Competitive Intelligence Consulting
- Knowledge Management
- Training Specialization
Master of Library and Information Science
The Master of Library and Information Science degree is the iSchool's oldest degree. It is a two-year professional degree that prepares students for careers in the libraryLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and information professions. Like its sister, the MSIM program, the MLIS degree is divided into two sub-programs: a day program for traditional students, and a distance program for geographically disparate students. The MLIS program has the largest enrollment of any program at the iSchool, with 202 day students and 229 distance students. In 2007 the iSchool's MLIS program was ranked #4 in the nation by US News & World Report.
Additionally, the iSchool offers a third MLIS degree—the Law MLIS program, a one-year degree designed to prepare lawyers to serve as law librarians. The Law Librarianship program was the highest-ranked program in the nation by US News & World Report in 2006.
PhD Program
The PhD program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate that focuses on creating new knowledge in the field of Information ScienceInformation science
-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
. There are currently 48 doctoral students. Graduates of the PhD program have gone onto successful research careers in both academia and industry.
Student organizations
The iSchool offers several opportunities for students to participate in professional and student communities. The most prominent student groups within the iSchool are:- AIMS (Association of Information Management Students)
- ALISS (Association of Library and Information Science Students)
- APC (Archives and Preservation Club)
- ASIS&T (American Society for Information Science and Technology)
- BIG (Bookarts Interest Group)
- GPSS (Graduate and Professional Students Senate)
- iArts
- iParents
- iPeer (a community for distance MLIS students)
- iServe (the iSchool's volunteer and service organization)
- IUGA (Informatics Undergraduate Association)
- SLA (Special Libraries Association)
- SALA (The University of Washington's Student Chapter of the American Library AssociationAmerican Library AssociationThe American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
)
Faculty
- Scott Barker
- Karine Nahon
- Robert Boiko
- Alan Borning (Adjunct)
- Gaetano Borriello (Adjunct)
- Terrence Brooks
- Harry BruceHarry BruceHarry Bruce, Ph.D, is a Professor and current Dean of the Information School at the University of Washington. His research interests focus on human information behavior, information seeking, personal information management, and networked information environments...
(Dean) - Lorraine Bruce
- Allyson Carlyle
- Michael Crandall
- Kevin DesouzaKevin DesouzaKevin C. Desouza is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington Information School with adjunct appointments at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs and in Electrical Engineering. He served as the Director of the Institute for National Security Education and Research...
- Susan DumaisSusan DumaisSusan Dumais is a Principal Researcher in the Context, Learning, and User Experience for Search Group of Microsoft Research and an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington Information School....
- Efthimis Efthimiadis
- Michael Eisenberg (Dean Emeritus)
- Barbara Endicott-Popovsky
- Raya Fidel
- Karen Fisher
- Batya Friedman
- Sherrilynne Fuller
- Lisa Fusco
- Nancy Gershenfeld
- Ricardo Gomez
- Jonathan Grudin
- Penny Hazelton (Adjunct)
- David Hendry
- Trent Hill
- Mary Hotchkiss (Adjunct)
- Joseph Janes
- Ronald Johnson
- William Jones
- Peter Kahn (Adjunct)
- Julie Kientz
- Jeffrey Kim
- Andrew Ko
- Robert Larson
- Jin-Ha Lee
- David Levy
- Elizabeth Marcoux
- Robert Mason
- David McDonald
- Lynne McKechnie
- Cheryl Metoyer
- Adam Moore (Adjunct)
- Annelise Pejtersen (Affiliate)
- Wanda Pratt
- Matthew Saxton
- Jochen Scholl
- Stuart Sutton
- Hazel Taylor
- Joseph T. Tennis
- Jacob Wobbrock