Oct. 31, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northern Arizona University\u2019s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems<\/a> (SICCS) has launched yet another degree option for students interested in natural sciences: the bachelor\u2019s of science in informatics (BSI). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The BSI will integrate cutting-edge tools and skills from data\nanalytics, data science, computer science, statistical analysis and modeling\nwith fundamental knowledge from program emphasis areas in biology, health,\necology, environmental science and astronomy. Until now, only a doctorate and\nmaster\u2019s degree were offered to students interested in studying informatics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComputing, informatics and data science careers are frequently\nmentioned among the best\u2014and best-paying\u2014jobs, and the BSI major will provide\nthe professional and scientific skills students need to thrive in today\u2019s\ninformation-centric professional workplace, while pursuing their passion for\nthe natural sciences,\u201d SICCS assistant professor Christopher Doughty <\/strong>said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since SICCS was launched in 2016, the informatics program has continued\nto grow, attracting internationally-known faculty from Harvard, Arizona State\nUniversity, Oxford and the Woods Hole Research Institute, among other elite\nresearch institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe bachelor of science in informatics is a unique research-intensive program where students are integrated into world-class NAU research labs as part of their junior and senior year undergraduate research projects,\u201d said <\/em>Benjamin<\/strong> Ruddell<\/strong>, director of SICCS. \u201cThrough these research projects, students learn modern, relevant skills that will boost their future career prospects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ecoinformatics research projects that undergrads can\njoin include: NASA-funded projects using new global satellites that can measure\nforest structure (GEDI) and plant stress (ECOSTRESS); NSF-funded projects to\nunderstand how phenology (leaf timing) might change in the future; how food,\nwater and energy systems can be better managed; and how cities can better track\ntheir carbon emissions. In bioinformatics, students can participate in NIH-funded\nprojects on mosquito and bat transmission of diseases, metagenomics and the\ndevelopment of cancer. Astroinformatics\nprojects include simulating the galaxy to understand where life and intelligent\nlife could be and detecting active asteroids in near real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about this degree program, visit the SICCS website<\/a>\nor email informatics@nau.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"