From Informatics:
Howdy folks-
The Informatics program in the iSchool has opened seats to all majors in the following courses for Spring 2026:
INFO 300 Research Methods (5 cr)
Introduces research methods used to understand people's interactions with information, information technology, and information systems. Topics include epistemology, science, theory, research ethics, and a selection of qualitative, quantitative, and design methods for answering questions in both research and practical settings.
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 300
INFO 340 Client-Side Development (5 cr) (RSN)
Introduction to client-side development on the internet, including markup, programming languages, protocols, libraries, and frameworks for creating and maintaining usable and accessible, interactive applications. Prerequisite: either CSE 123, CSE 143, CSE 154, or CSE 163; and INFO 201.
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 340
INFO 360 Design Methods (4 cr) (A&H/SSc, DIV)
Introduces design paradigms and methods for envisioning information systems that meet the needs of people, organizations, and society. Topics include design thinking, creativity, and the sketching, prototyping, evaluating, and specifying of information experiences. Engages questions of design justice, examining who is and is not served by design.
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 360
INFO 498 A UX for Gaming (5 cr)
This course focuses on UX for games in depth. The first part of the course contains deep dives into various aspects of UX design in general: UX design, UI design, Visual design, and Game design. Then, the course will focus on the practice of creating components of the game user experience including maps, inventory, onboarding, sound design, and more. We will end will topics on accessibility, mobile, and console UX design.
Students will work individually and in small teams of two on assignments. Assignments will include mood boards, wireframes, prototypes and several UX makeovers of existing games. Unlike Game Design for Social Good, there will be no large team project and no focus on social good specifically.
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 498
INFO 498 B Web Application Security (5 cr)
This course is an advanced topic course that would be available to Information School students with the Information Assurance and Cybersecurity focus. The course provides the foundational knowledge of practices and skills required for Web Application and Cloud Penetration Testers with a focus on the skills necessary to perform security assessments. This course has an emphasis on manual testing and giving students a deep understanding of fundamental vulnerability types, how they can be exploited, and how they can be remediated. This fills a gap in Cybersecurity curriculum regarding practical application security, addressing the need to develop a perspective for the security of web applications in addition to the development.
Recommended preparation: INFO 310
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 498
INFO 498 C Child Computer Interaction (4 cr)
An introductory look at the field, this course focuses on research related to the design of interactive technologies for and with children; the various ways children use interactive technologies; and the impact of children’s technology-related experiences on their health, wellbeing, learning, and other key aspects of child development. Questions guiding the course include: How do children of different ages, abilities, and interests engage with and make sense of their experiences with interactive technologies? What role do developmental factors, family context, peers, school, and socio-cultural influences play in shaping these experiences? How should designers approach the design of interactive technologies for children? How should researchers approach the study of children’s use of new and emerging technologies?
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 498
INFO 498 F Being and Information Professional (4 cr)
This course introduces tools, skills and professional practices for successful information careers. Covers understanding the information industry, collaborative teamwork, conflict resolution, and communicating professionally within and outside an organization. Students practice effective written and oral communication and develop their professional identity.
This course is a pilot offering of the upcoming INFO 280: Becoming an Informational Professional. This special topic fulfills the INFO 290/INFO 280 requirement for the Informatics major.
View course details in MyPlan: INFO 498