College of Information at Shady Grove
The Universities at Shady Grove
9631 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20852
Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (BSE) Education Facility (Building IV) – Office 4109
Phone: 301-738-6243
Email: USGInfoSci@umd.edu
http://ischool.umd.edu/academics/bachelors-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-information-science-shady-grove/
http://shadygrove.umd.edu/academics/degree-programs/bs-information-science-bsis/
Faculty Program Director: Galina Reitz, Ph.D.
Assistant Director: Tetyana Bezbabna
Academic Advisor: Jacob Davidson
The University of Maryland (UMD) College of Information (INFO) is a leading research and teaching college in the field of information science. At INFO, students are prepared to be tomorrow’s thought leaders in applications of information and technology for social good – fostering access to information, improving information interfaces, and expanding how information is used in an evolving world.
Through the major (designed for transfer students who have completed their associate’s degree or equivalent) and minors offered at The Universities at Shady Grove campus in Montgomery County (Rockville, MD), students develop skills in technical areas alongside areas of the social sciences, leadership, and the humanities – addressing the growing and unique need for information professionals who understand complex social and organizational issues.
Our students learn from expert faculty, known for their research and scholarship, and top industry professionals who join us as prestigious lecturers. Located just outside Washington, D.C., our students have unmatched internship and career opportunities.
Advisors will help you make informed decisions and feel confident about your plans, which will assist you in meeting your program goals. Your advisor will assist in helping you understand your degree requirements and your options, but you make the decisions, you are in charge of your education!
Please refer to your specific program to see advising information and requirements.
If you are a prospective student interested in our program and would like to schedule a pre-transfer advising appointment, please email us at usginfosci@umd.edu.
Undergraduate Research Experiences
Opportunities for undergraduate research experience in the INFO College's research centers become available from time to time. Participation in an on- or off-campus internship, co-op, or other experiential learning opportunity is strongly encouraged. See the Information Science program staff for information on performing research in an INFO center or lab, and contact the Campus Career Services office for assistance in obtaining off-campus positions or experiences.
Internships
Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged by the program. An internship is a real-world application of concepts and theories that students learn in the classroom. It involves students providing meaningful work in a career field directly related to their major and/or career interest. An internship is an excellent opportunity for a student to gain professional experience in the information science field and build/expand their professional network. The program does not provide internship placements. However, students have access to six career/networking events throughout each academic year (at College Park and Shady Grove campuses), allowing them to meet potential employers from the field.
Students should also consult the College Park Career Center and the Shady Grove Career and Internship Services Center for additional internship opportunities.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in awarding scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit their website.
UMD BSIS at Shady Grove students are also eligible for the scholarship programs and opportunities offered by the Center for Student Engagement and Financial Resources at the Universities at Shady Grove campus.
Awards and Recognition
Dean’s Award for an Outstanding INFO Project
The Dean’s Award for an Outstanding INFO Project will be presented to an INFO student or a group of students (which includes at least one INFO student) for an outstanding design or development project completed for an INFO course. Projects must be nominated by a faculty member(s) and represent outstanding work that furthers understanding by offering new insights into development or design or displays excellence in applying existing state-of-the-art methods and knowledge.
Laurence B. Heilprin Award
The Laurence B. Heilprin Award will be presented to an INFO student or a group of students (which includes at least one INFO student) for an outstanding paper on a topic in the library and information science that has been written for an INFO course. Papers must be nominated by faculty and represent outstanding work that furthers understanding by offering new insights, incorporating original research, and/or analyzing existing information in new ways.
Dr. Joan Giesecke Best Student Paper on Health Informatics Award
The Dr. Joan Giesecke Best Student Paper on Health Informatics Award will be presented to a graduate student or a group of graduate students for an outstanding paper written for an INFO course that focuses on any aspect(s) of Health Informatics. The INFO College defines Health Informatics broadly, including any work that focuses on health information management, health information technologies, health data analytics, health-related information needs or behaviors, health librarianship, etc. Papers must be nominated by faculty and represent outstanding work that furthers understanding by offering new insights on issues relating to Health Informatics, incorporating original research, and/or analyzing existing information in new ways.
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research Achievement
The Dean’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research Achievement will be presented to an undergraduate student or a group of undergraduate students for an outstanding research paper or project completed for an INFO course. Projects/papers must be nominated by a faculty member(s) and represent outstanding work that furthers understanding by offering new insights into development or design or displays excellence in applying existing state-of-the-art methods and knowledge.
Special Advantages and Facilities
At the INFO College, faculty and students are exploring how people access and use information. From developing smart city technology to creating new archival methods, we seek to improve the individual experience and foster connected communities. At our research centers and labs, we enable discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and fun while tackling real-world challenges and developing impactful solutions.
The college operates six research centers, all located at the main College Park campus: the Center for Advanced Study of Communities and Information (CASCI), the Computational Linguistics and Information Processing Lab (CLIP), the Digital Curation Innovation Center (DCIC), the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL), the Information Policy and Access Center (iPAC), the Trace Research and Development Center.
INFO faculty and doctoral students also participate in or have affiliations with the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH), as well as the Departments of Computer Science, English, and Sociology, the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and the College of Education.
Research Units
The INFO College is home to several research centers and labs:
Computational Linguistics and Information Processing (CLIP)
Phone: 301-405-6722
http://wiki.umiacs.umd.edu/clip/
Director: Dr. Vanessa Frias-Martinez
The Computational Linguistics and Information Processing Lab (CLIP) at Maryland creates and evaluates systems that allow computers to effectively and efficiently use human language – together with large-scale information networks – to perform tasks such as search, translation, summarization and ontological reasoning. It is a part of the broader language science initiative at Maryland and of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS).
Center for Archival Futures (CAFE)
cafe-info@umd.edu
http://cafe.ischool.umd.edu
The Center for Archival Futures (CAFe) develops and disseminates human-centered approaches to creating the systems, processes, and institutions that enable the use of and care for digital objects and data over time. We take a holistic view of archives and digital curation as a research area, education domain, and growing profession that transcends disciplines and organizational contexts.
The Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL)
2117 Hornbake Bldg, South Wing, College Park
Phone: 301-405-2769
hcil-info@cs.umd.edu
http://hcil.umd.edu
Director: Dr. Jessica Vitak
Associate Director: Dr. Joel Chan
The Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) transforms the experience people have with new technologies. From understanding user needs to developing and evaluating the technologies that support users’ needs, the lab’s faculty, staff, and students have been leading the way in HCI research and teaching for over 30 years. It is critical to understand how the needs and dreams of people can be reflected in future technologies. To this end, the HCIL develops advanced user interfaces and design methodology. The primary activities include collaborative research, publication, and the sponsorship of seminars and brown bag talks, workshops, and an annual symposium. The HCIL, though referred to as a lab, is actually a research center that is jointly administered by the INFO and UMIACS and has multiple labs, faculty, and students associated with it.
Trace Research and Development Center
Room 2117 Hornbake Bldg, South Wing, College Park
Phone: 301-405-2043
trace-info@umd.edu
http://trace.umd.edu
Director: Dr. Jonathan Lazar
The Trace Center’s purpose is to apply engineering, computer science, disability studies, public policy, and information science to prevent the barriers to, and capitalize on the opportunities presented by, current and emerging information and communication technologies. Our vision is of a world accessible and usable by people of all ages and all abilities – each experiencing ICT in a way they can understand and use. Founded in 1971, Trace has been a pioneer known for high-impact research and development, including access features implemented in computer operating systems, leadership in the development of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and many other accessibility standards, and techniques used to increase the accessibility of self-service kiosks in post offices, train stations, and airports. Trace is currently a leader in the development and large-scale deployment of a Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure that combines cloud computing, web, and platform services to make online information and services available for people facing accessibility barriers.
Social Data Science Center (SODA)
http://socialdatascience.umd.edu
Co-Directors: Dr. Brian Butler and Professor Frauke Kreuter
The Social Data Science Center (SoDa) – established by the College of Information and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences – is an interdisciplinary academic and research center. SoDa plans to sponsor seminars, workshops, and focused conferences designed to bring attention to the rapidly expanding universe of digitized data and new forms of behavioral data, as well as developments in data science that can benefit investigators in the social sciences.