University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information

Coordinates: 40°26′50″N 79°57′10″W / 40.447332°N 79.952712°W / 40.447332; -79.952712

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^[1] with a focus on academic programs that teach contextually situated computing in an interdisciplinary manner.^[2] 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.^[3]

University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information

Established	2017 (from a merger of programs established in 1901 and 1966)
Dean	Bruce Childers (2020)
Academic staff	131
Students	687
Location	Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , US
Campus	Urban
Website	www.sci.pitt.edu

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,^[4][5] with the Department of Computer Science, which was founded in 1966^[6] 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^[7] until he stepped down in July 2020 to be temporarily replaced by Interim Dean Bruce Childers.^[8]

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.^[9] 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^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[3]

Undergraduate programs

The Bachelor of Science programs are offered for:

• Computer Science
• Information Science
• Computational Biology
• Digital Narrative and Interactive Design

A combined bachelor and master of science program is also offered for students to complete both degrees in five years.^[12]

Master's degree programs

The Master of Science programs are offered in the following:^[13]

• 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."^[10]

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^[14]
#6 Archives and Preservation^[15]
#9 Information Systems^[16]
#11 Digital Librarianship^[17]

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.^[18]

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 ^[19]
• 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.^[20] The school also had 26 adjunct faculty with joint appointments from fields as diverse as pathology, medicine and business.^[21][22]

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.^[23] 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.^[24]

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.^[25] The iSchool consortium is closely governed by iCaucus. The iSchool at Pitt has not yet hosted an iConference.

Information Sciences Building

 

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^[26] Tasso Katselas designed Brutalist style structure ^[27] in 1968^[28] and it has since then served as the primary facility housing the School of Information Sciences.^[29] In 1975, a renovation was completed that enclosed the building's lower levels to create additional classrooms and offices.^[30] 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.^[31] 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

1. Schackner, Bill (October 29, 2016). "New school at Pitt aims to attract top talent". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
2. Levine, Marty (May 12, 2016). "Plans for CS/IS school proceed". University Times. Vol. 48, no. 2. University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
3. "Departments". University of Pittsburgh. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
4. Bleier, Carol (2001). Tradition in transition : a history of the School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-4088-X.
5. Aspray, William (1999). "Command and Control, Documentation, and Library Science: The Origins of Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 21 (4): 4–20. doi:10.1109/85.801528.
6. "1966-76: The Formative Years". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
7. Schackner, Bill (May 8, 2017). "Pitt names DARPA manager founding dean of computing school". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
8. Jones, Susan (May 7, 2020). "Executive changes: SVC for Business on leave; SCI dean stepping down". University Times. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
9. Alberts, Robert C. (1986). Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787–1987. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 287. ISBN 0-8229-1150-7. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
10. "America's Best Graduate Schools 2017". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
11. "The Department of Computer Science". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
12. "Bachelor's Degrees". University of Pittsburgh. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
13. "Master's Degrees". University of Pittsburgh. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
14. "Best Health Librarianship Programs". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
15. "Best Archives and Preservation Programs". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
16. "Best Information Systems Programs". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
17. "Best Digital Librarianship Programs". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
18. "PhDs". University of Pittsburgh. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
19. "Intelligent Systems Program". University of Pittsburgh. 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
20. "Faculty By Name". 2018. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
21. "Faculty Adjuncts". 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
22. "Faculty Appointments". 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
23. "Research". 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
24. "Publications". 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
25. "About the iSchools". 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
26. Toker, Franklin (1986). Pittsburgh: an urban portrait. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 113. ISBN 0-271-00415-0.
27. "Request Rejected".
28. "Pitt Purchases AIR's Building". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1968-09-02. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
29. "Request Rejected".
30. Rieker, Richard, ed. (January 1975). "Part Two: An Index To University Programs". Pitt. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. 29 (4): 18. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
31. Barlow, Kimberly K.; Levine, Marty (August 29, 2013). "What's New at Pitt: Places". University Times. Vol. 46, no. 1. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved September 12, 2013.

Further reading

• Bleier, Carol (2001). Tradition in Transition: A History of the School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-4088-X.

External links

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

Preceded by Frick Fine Arts Building

University of Pittsburgh Buildings Information Sciences Building Constructed: 1965

Succeeded by Hillman Library