Informatics
Program Description
Informatics is defined by a variety of colleges and universities, each with similar themes that bring the human aspect into computing. It is referred to as: Transforming data and information into knowledge, combining the science of information and the engineering of information systems, integrating human interactions with machines and data, digital technology to help people interact with data and information, the science of the collection, evaluation, organization, and dissemination of information, often employing computers.
Informatics focuses on how people and technology connect. You will be involved with hands-on learning to prepare you to work to solve problems, and to design, develop, evaluate, and apply technology solutions to meet today's needs. You'll examine computer systems that store, process, and communicate information. If you are searching for a career that emphasizes how people and organizations use data, information and knowledege, and prepares you for high-demand jobs, Informatics is where you need to be. In addition to our rigorous curriculum, students have 4 Focus from which to choose to continue through to a BAS degree from UArizona. Your degree in Informatics from AWC will prepare you for a completion of a BAS in Applied Computing from the University of Arizona (UArizona).
This Informatics AAS degree at AWC has four focus areas: System Admisnistration, Cyber Operations, Software Development and Digital Design. Each emphasis will transfer into Applied Computing Bachelor’s Degree program at UArizona.
There are high expectations for a rapid increase in the demand for qualified candidates in all areas of technology. The interdisciplinary approach to technology offered by an Informatics degree creates a marketable candidate with skills and knowledge to compete for IT/IS positions. For example, your BAS degree will qualify you to pursue careers in several fields such as: Application Developers, Database Developer/ Admnistrator, IT Support Specialist, Digital Media Specialist, Network Security Administrator, Web Developer/ Designer, Cyber Security, and Human-Computer Interaction.
Student Support
The Informatics program includes numerous student support systems that enable students to be successful throughout their course of study. Our Informatics program provides instructional support for class work and lab projects. At the San Luis Technology Institute, Technology Assistants, and Peer Mentors are available to assist students with whatever they need during both daytime and evening hours. Informatics professors are available and are always willing and eager to assist students with the support they need to succeed in the Informatics Program.
The Student Success Center at the San Luis Learning Center offers: Lab Technicians available in the computer lab to assist with technology issues, a referral process for access to a tutor when needed, as well as an Academic Advisor to assist with following the pathway to completion.
The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona (UArizona) offers the final three semesters needed to complete the BAS degree in Applied Computing in this seamless pathway. A professor of Applied Computing from the University of Arizona is assigned to work full time in South Yuma County (SYC) to provide courses for the completion of the Bachelor's degree. Courses will be offered in a variety of modalities, from face-to-face, hybrid, ZOOM, and online. Some classes are also available at the Yuma campus.
An advisor from UArizona is available at the SYC location to help with the transition process to enroll students at UArizona to complete their course of study. Additionally, the Yuma area UArizona Regional Academic Program Coordinator is available to answer questions pertaining to UArizona programs, processes and procedures.
The Informatics degree /Applied Computing degree pathway from AAS degree at Arizona Western College to a BAS in Applied Computing from UArizona has been developed at Arizona Western College due to the INSTINCT2 Federal Department of Education HSI STEM grant award. Follow the link to find more information about the grants.
Check the above for any necessary program documents.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.
Duties/Tasks
- Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
- Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
- Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
- Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
- Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
- Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
- Develop data models and databases.
- Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
- Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
- Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.
Salary Information (AZ)
$91,240
$46,190
$79,530
$140,740
$43.87
$22.21
$38.00
$67.67
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.
Duties/Tasks
- Analyze or manipulate bioinformatics data using software packages, statistical applications, or data mining techniques.
- Extend existing software programs, web-based interactive tools, or database queries as sequence management and analysis needs evolve.
- Maintain awareness of new and emerging computational methods and technologies.
- Conduct quality analyses of data inputs and resulting analyses or predictions.
- Enter or retrieve information from structural databases, protein sequence motif databases, mutation databases, genomic databases or gene expression databases.
- Develop or maintain applications that process biologically based data into searchable databases for purposes of analysis, calculation, or presentation.
- Confer with researchers, clinicians, or information technology staff to determine data needs and programming requirements and to provide assistance with database-related research activities.
- Participate in the preparation of reports or scientific publications.
- Develop or apply data mining and machine learning algorithms.
- Design or implement web-based tools for querying large-scale biological databases.
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Apply knowledge of nursing and informatics to assist in the design, development, and ongoing modification of computerized health care systems. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the health care system.
Duties/Tasks
- Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or designers, using object-oriented models or other techniques.
- Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
- Design, develop, select, test, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision-support mechanisms to support patients, health care professionals, and their information management and human-computer and human-technology interactions within health care contexts.
- Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
- Develop, implement, or evaluate health information technology applications, tools, processes, or structures to assist nurses with data management.
- Identify, collect, record, or analyze data relevant to the nursing care of patients.
- Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications for resolution of clinical or health care administrative problems.
- Provide consultation to nurses regarding hardware or software configuration.
- Analyze computer and information technologies to determine applicability to nursing practice, education, administration, and research.
- Develop strategies, policies or procedures for introducing, evaluating, or modifying information technology applied to nursing practice, administration, education, or research.
Salary Information (AZ)
$98,470
$62,030
$99,340
$131,040
$47.34
$29.82
$47.00
$63.00
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Duties/Tasks
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
- Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
- Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
- Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.
- Maintain permanent fleet cryptologic and carry-on direct support systems required in special land, sea surface and subsurface operations.
Salary Information (AZ)
$108,640
$61,600
$101,570
$164,030
$52.23
$29.61
$48.00
$78.86
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.
Duties/Tasks
- Manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope.
- Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Monitor or track project milestones and deliverables.
- Submit project deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
- Assess current or future customer needs and priorities by communicating directly with customers, conducting surveys, or other methods.
- Initiate, review, or approve modifications to project plans.
- Schedule and facilitate meetings related to information technology projects.
- Direct or coordinate activities of project personnel.
- Develop implementation plans that include analyses such as cost-benefit or return on investment (ROI).
- Identify need for initial or supplemental project resources.
- Develop or update project plans for information technology projects including information such as project objectives, technologies, systems, information specifications, schedules, funding, and staffing.
- Perform risk assessments to develop response strategies.
Salary Information (AZ)
$84,030
$38,490
$78,050
$128,880
$40.40
$18.50
$37.00
$61.96
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree