University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information is one of the 17 schools and colleges of University of Pittsburgh located on the university's main campus in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The school was formed in 2017 with a focus on academic programs that teach contextually situated computing in an interdisciplinary manner. The school offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as certificate programs and houses three departments: Computer Science, Informatics and Networked Systems, and Information Culture and Data Stewardship.

The school was created by combining the university's School of Information Sciences, which was also known as the "iSchool" and was founded in 1901, with the Department of Computer Science, which was founded in 1966 and previously housed the university's Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.  Located on the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, the school was led by its founding Dean Paul Cohen until he stepped down in July 2020 to be temporarily replaced by Interim Dean Bruce Childers.

Founded in 1901, the former School of Information Sciences was one of the nation's pioneering schools in the education of information professionals. Originating as the Training School for Children's Librarians at the Carnegie Library, the school moved to the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1930, and eventually to the University of Pittsburgh in 1961.  In its last year as a separate school, it is ranked 10th in the list of Best Library and Information Studies Programs by U.S. News & World Report and is one of the original members in the list of I-Schools.  The Department of Computer Science was founded in 1966 making it one of the oldest such departments in the country.

Academic programs
The School of Computing and Information offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that are provided by three departments: Computer Science, Informatics and Networked Systems, and Information Culture and Data Stewardship. Various certificate of advanced study programs are also offered.

Undergraduate programs 
The Bachelor of Science programs are offered for: 
Computer Science
Information Science
Computational Biology
Digital Narrative and Interactive Design
Data Science
Computational Social Science 

A combined bachelor and master of science program is also offered for students to complete both degrees in five years.

Master's degree programs
The Master of Science programs are offered in the following:
Computer Science (MS)
Information Science (MSIS)
Intelligent Systems (MS)
Library and Information Science (MLIS)
Telecommunications (MST)

The overall library and information studies program of the school is ranked 10th overall by U.S. News & World Report in the magazine's 2017t edition of "America’s Best Graduate Schools."

In addition, the masters programs were ranked among the best in the nation according to the 2017 edition of US News America's Best Graduate Schools:

#1 Health Librarianship
#6 Archives and Preservation
#9 Information Systems
#11 Digital Librarianship

PhD programs 
The Doctor of Philosophy degree provides research-oriented graduate study and professional specialization in the computing and information sciences. The program prepares students for advanced work in teaching and in conducting significant research.

PhD programs are offered in the following fields:
Computer Science
Computational Modeling and Simulation
Information Science
Information Science with a concentration in Telecommunications
Intelligent Systems 
Library and Information Science

Certificate programs

Several Certificates of Advanced Study are provided for study beyond bachelor's and master's degrees in the following fields:

Big Data Analytics
Information Science and Technology
Security Assured Information Systems (SAIS)
Telecommunications

Faculty 
The School of Computing and Information is home to over 100 faculty members whose expertise ranges from wireless security and Web semantics to cyber-scholarship and record-keeping systems. The school also had 26 adjunct faculty with joint appointments from fields as diverse as pathology, medicine and business.

Research 

The school is recognized for its research. Located in its building are labs for Geoinformatics, Telecommunications, ULab and Personalized Adaptive Web Systems, along with LERSAIS—the Laboratory of Education and Research on Security Assured Information Systems. There are also several active research groups working on various projects such as IR@Pitt, Spatial Information Research Group, and Group for Research on Idealized Neural Systems.

In 2010, the former School of Information Sciences faculty had its work featured in nearly 120 publications.

iSchool caucus
The school is a member of the iSchools organization. This organization was founded in 2005 by a collective of Information Schools dedicated to advancing the information field in the 21st century. The iSchool consortium is closely governed by . The iSchool at Pitt has not yet hosted an iConference.

Information Sciences Building

Components of the new School of Computing and Information are housed on the university's main campus in the Information Sciences Building, previously the primary home of the former School of Information Science. Originally the American Institutes for Research Building, the University purchased the 1965 Tasso Katselas designed Brutalist style structure  in 1968 and it has since then served as the primary facility housing the School of Information Sciences. In 1975, a renovation was completed that enclosed the building's lower levels to create additional classrooms and offices. An additional renovation to the building was completed in 2013, adding various upgrades including a computer lab, teleconference room, and a third floor Student Collaboration Center for study and work space. Components of the school's Department of Computer Science are housed in Sennott Square. The building is home to the Nesbitt Room which houses several special collections on the history of children and children's books and media, rare editions of children's books, and some unique furnishings and artifacts.

See also 

 University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives Service Center
 List of American Library Association accredited library schools
 List of information schools

References

Further reading

External links 
 School of Computing and Information
 Information Sciences Building on Pitt's virtual campus tour

University of Pittsburgh
Telecommunications organizations
Information schools
Information Sciences Building
Universities and colleges in Pittsburgh
American Library Association accredited library schools
2017 establishments in Pennsylvania