BSc in Informatics

UCAS Code: P110

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The Science of Information in the Digital World

The BSc in Informatics is an exciting new course in which you will study the science of information in the digital world. In our fast-paced digital world, Informatics is an exciting and developing field, which focuses on understanding and enhancing the interactions between people, information and technologies in different organisational and social contexts.

What Will I Study?

How do Web search engines work? How is the Web making information more widely available across the globe? How are social network media changing the ways people communicate? How do people search for information when they are diagnosed with cancer? How can new technologies help us to visualise data and information never previously possible? How do commercial organisations market their products through the web? How can electronic records help doctors improve the care of patients?

You will learn about how information and technologies influence the world we live in many different ways, for example, in business and commerce, in education and in health. You will develop an understanding of how people search for and use information for different purposes in their work, their social lives and for their own personal development and well-being. You will develop new skills e.g., web-site design and development, that will give you a cutting edge in the workplace. Our students have a strong track record in gaining employment in well-paid jobs on completion of their degree.

During the course you will develop new skills in undertaking research and evaluation in Informatics and, in the final year, you will carry out your own research project, supported by an academic member of staff, who may be a world leader in their field of research. Throughout the course, we will provide you with opportunities to develop your skills, and give you guidance in helping you to select modules that will enhance your career prospects, for example, or undertake an internship with an external organisation, you might wish to develop a foreign language, or study abroad in one of the North American iSchools.

Modules

The areas of study that you will pursue include (subject to University approval) the following compulsory modules:	You will also be able choose elective modules and specialise in a diverse range of areas according to your interests:
Informatics and Society Information Behaviour in Context Digital Technologies in Organisations Information and Social Media Research in Informatics 1 Information Architecture Human Computer Interaction Research in Informatics 2 Research in Informatics 3 Informatics Research Project	Advanced Web Design Business Intelligence Digital Economy Digital Multimedia Geographical Informatics Global Information Access Informatics Internship Knowledge Management and Communities Information Management and Governance Information Risk and Security Programming for Informatics

Research spine

The research spine is one of the special features of the degree, introducing you from the start of the programme to the way in which new knowledge is created in the field and to the excitement of advances in the knowledge-base. The research spine is carefully designed to develop your research skills incrementally, including essential evaluation skills of very practical application to Informatics in the workplace. It culminates in an extended project at Level 3, in which you will work under the supervision of academic staff on a topic of your own choice.

Employability and Careers

Informatics expertise is applicable to many different careers and professions, and studying Informatics at Sheffield will open the door to excellent employment prospects across a wide range of private, public or voluntary sector organisations in a global context. The knowledge-base and skills of Informatics graduates are greatly valued by employers in organisations of all kinds, and students from the iSchool´s undergraduate programmes have an excellent track-record of success in progressing to well-paid jobs rapidly after graduation.

We expect graduates of our new programmes to be ready for graduate traineeships in the world´s leading companies, or alternatively to choose to move on to another of the many diverse roles for people with Informatics expertise. Just some of the current job titles for people with backgrounds in Informatics include: information architect; systems analyst; social networks engineer, cultural resources manager; information manager; digital art curator; web designer; freedom of information officer.

Some of our graduates will wish to further extend their knowledge and skills at Masters level in a specialist area of their choice. The Sheffield iSchool offers opportunities to progress from the undergraduate study to one of our specialist Professional Education Masters programmes in the information field.