This is an archived copy of the 2020-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Degrees and Programs

Bachelor of Arts*
Bachelor of Science in Informatics*

Degrees 

The School of Information offers the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Informatics* and the Bachelor of Science in Informatics*.  Within each degree, students are offered a choice from six concentration tracks: 

Concentration in Cultural Heritage Informatics 

Throughout human history, cultural heritage institutions have played a critical role in ensuring that people have access to data, information, and technology, and that data, information, and technology are passed on to the next generation. These skills are also very much in demand in industry. The Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics* will prepare you for a career managing, describing, organizing, preserving, and providing access to data and information in a wide range of technological forms.  Choosing the concentration in Cultural Heritage Informatics will prepare you for a career working in cultural heritage organizations such as galleries, libraries, archives, and museums, or applying the same skills within corporations that face challenges in managing, describing, preserving, and accessing data and information. 

Concentration in Health Informatics 

Delivering and managing high-quality healthcare requires expertise in data, information, and technology. The Health Informatics concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics* will prepare you for a career applying expertise in health informatics in the healthcare industry, including designing and using information technologies to improve healthcare delivery, healthcare management, and health outcomes.  Choosing the concentration in Health Informatics will prepare you for a career in which you leverage data, information, and technology to improve healthcare delivery, healthcare management, and health outcomes. 

Concentration in Human-Centered Data Science 

Data is one of the most valuable commodities in the information society, and workers who can use data to gain new insights are in great demand. Diverse skills are required to collect, manage, and analyze data, as well as consideration of the great ethical responsibility that comes with collecting, managing, and analyzing data, and the importance of critical thinking skills. The Human-Centered Data Science concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics* will prepare you for a career involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, information retrieval, data curation, and data analysis. Choosing the concentration in Human-Centered Data Science will prepare you for a career in which you leverage data, information, and technology to benefit society. 

Concentration in Social Informatics 

Data, information, and technology are revolutionizing how organizations work. The Social Informatics concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics* will prepare you for a career leveraging data, information, and technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of people and organizations where information, technology, and people intersect, while also providing a more ethical and humane environment for workers and society more broadly.  Choosing the concentration in Social Informatics will prepare you for a career in which you play a critical role in shaping information policies, improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing societal sustainability, and advocating for responsibility and the public interest. 

Concentration in Social Justice Informatics 

Data, information, and technology have the potential to reduce or eliminate inequalities in society, but they can also lead to exacerbating existing inequalities or creating new ones. The Social Justice Informatics concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics* will prepare you for a career leveraging data, information, and technology for societal good, helping to ensure a level playing field for everyone in the information age.  Choosing the concentration in Social Justice Informatics will prepare you for a career that involves leveraging data, information, and technology to empower individuals within society and to eliminate inequalities and injustices within society. 

Concentration in User Experience Design 

Design of data, information, and technology systems needs to be rooted in the user experience and the broader societal impacts of design. The User Experience Design concentration of the B.S.I./B.A. with a major in Informatics will prepare you for a career in user experience, interaction design, human factors, and web and mobile app design.  Choosing the concentration in User Experience Design will give you the skills to design cutting-edge information technologies that will benefit users and society. 

Applicability of Certain Courses 

Physical Activity Courses 

Physical activity (PED) courses are offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. Up to three semester hours of physical activity coursework may be counted as electives toward any School of Information degree*. All physical activity courses are counted among courses for which the student is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average. 

ROTC Courses 

The Departments of Air Force Science, Military Science, and Naval Science maintain ROTC units on campus. Information about each program is available from the chair of the department concerned. 

Twelve semester hours of coursework in air force science, military science, or naval science may be counted toward any degree* in the School of Information. Such credit may be used only as electives or to fulfill the writing requirement, and only by students who are commissioned by the University ROTC program. 

Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis 

No more than 12 semester hours taken on the pass/fail basis may be counted toward School of Information degrees*. In general, courses taken on the pass/fail basis will count as general electives. Coursework required for School of Information major requirements cannot be taken pass/fail. Complete rules on registration on the pass/fail basis are given in the General Information Catalog. 

Correspondence and Extension Courses 

Credit that a University student in residence earns simultaneously by correspondence or extension from the University or elsewhere or in residence at another school will not be counted toward a degree in the School of Information unless specifically approved in advance by the dean. For additional information about correspondence work by resident students, see the General Information Catalog.  

In the semester they plan to graduate, students may not take any course to be counted toward the degree at another institution or through University Extension; students who plan to graduate at the end of the summer session may request approval to take transfer work only in the first summer term. 

Bible Courses 

Bible courses may be counted as lower-division electives in School of Information degree programs* that have room for such electives. No more than 12 semester hours of such work may be counted toward any degree offered by the University.