Idaho State University Graduate Catalog 2006-2007

Informatics Research Institute

Director and University Professor of Informatics Corey Schou
Associate Directors and Professors: Lohse, A. Strickland
Professor: Cady
Associate Professors: Sammons, J. Strickland
Assistant Professors: Frost, Springer
Affiliate Professors: Leibrock, Longley, Murray, Stephenson
Affiliate Assistant Professors: Moulton, Slay, Willes

Mission

The Informatics Research Institute (IRI) is an academic unit providing coordination for several interdisciplinary degrees and research centers across campus. Informatics is an integrative discipline that arises from the synergistic application of computational, informational, organizational, cognitive, and other disciplines whose primary focus is in the acquisition, storage and use of information in a broad spectrum of domains. It includes the study and application of information technology in the arts, sciences, commerce, medicine, and society in general. The IRI has a mission in teaching, research, and service. Activities include:

• Developing interdisciplinary programs in informatics
• Developing interdisciplinary degree programs
• Developing and offering outreach programs
• Coordinating activities of related centers on campus
• Providing leadership in critical infrastructure protection
• Developing educational programs
• Developing infrastructures to support research in diverse fields
• Coordinating interdisciplinary academic concentrations

The IRI coordinates activities among the National Information Assurance Training and Education Center (NIATEC), Simplot Decision Support Center (SDSC), Center for Innovative Technology in Archaeological Informatics (CITI-AI), and the Center for Innovative Technology in Mathematics, Science, and Social Sciences Learning (CITI-MSSSL). The IRI charter includes development of interdisciplinary AA, AS, BA, BS, Masters and Doctoral programs, as well as concentrations in Information Assurance.

Archaeological Informatics

Associate Director and Professor of Anthropology E.S. "Earnest" Lohse

CITI-AI - Center for Innovative Technology in Archaeological Informatics

The CITI-AI leads research in the organization and analysis of archaeological information. It creates and maintains active partnerships within the archaeological community and serves as an interdisciplinary center of activity uniting basic informatics research and modeling within the Informatics Research Institute, Idaho State University, and its affiliated faculty.

Educational Informatics

Associate Director and Professor of Education Albert Strickland

CITI-MSSSTL - Center for Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and Technology Learning

The CITI-MSSSTL focus is on PK-16 learning in the current environment of accountability. The faculty of CITI-MSSSTL collaborates with other institutions to explore technology and informatics solutions to improve learning. Curriculum development, assessment, data management, and teacher training are but a few of the services offered by CITI-MSSSTL. The staff of CITI-MSSSTL are experienced in all aspects of instructional systems design and implementation. The center creates and maintains active partnerships with public schools and higher education institutions interested in improving the quality of learning within our educational systems.

Simplot Decision Support Center

SDSC - Simplot Decision Support Center

The Simplot Decision Center is a facility designed to increase group decision-making effectiveness and efficiency. It is a research and development effort of Idaho State University resulting from the generosity of the Simplot Corporation. The Simplot Decision Support Center is one of a few dedicated facilities in the nation and is available as a resource to both local and national organizations. It has led the national effort in developing information assurance and computer security training and education standards for the federal government.

Information Assurance

NIATEC - National Information Assurance Training and Education Center

The NIATEC Center is a consortium of academic, industry, and government organizations to improve the literacy, awareness, training, and education standards in information assurance. As the federally designated cornerstone for essential education and training components of a strong information assurance initiative, the mission is to establish an effective information assurance infrastructure. NIATEC is associated with the Idaho State University Center for Academic Excellence. It is a component in the national plan to establish a federal cyber-corps to defend against cyber-based disruption and attacks. Key to building such a cyber-corps is the implementation of robust graduate and undergraduate curricula in information assurance.

Information Assurance Degree Concentrations

The Informatics Research Institute coordinates the federally designated Center of Academic Excellence in Computer Security Education. The Center of Academic Excellence includes formal concentrations in information assurance at the undergraduate and graduate level in cooperation with NIATEC and CITI-MSSSL. In addition, the IRI offers formal concentrations in information assurance for baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs. These concentrations may be above the regular degree requirements documented by the DHS/CNSS approved certificates offered by ISU.

Certificates for Concentrations:

• CNSS 4011 - National Training Standard for Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals
• CNSS 4012 - Senior Systems Manager
• CNSS 4013 - Systems Security Administration
• CNSS 4014 - Information Systems Security Officer
• CNSS 4015 - Systems Certification

Program of Study:

Students with appropriate prerequisites may take courses within the information assurance program as part of a formal information assurance concentration in their degree program. With approval of their advisor and the faculty, they may pursue certificates in specialty areas. In addition to courses that support specialized certificates, the program offers courses in computer forensics and risk analysis. All courses require preparation of research papers on information assurance topics related to their major fields.

CNSS 4011 - Students in the CIS emphasis in the MBA program may take CIS 511, a minimum of 6 hours of 519 (Informatics Practicum) or 593 (Internship) and two additional courses in information assurance. Graduate courses increase focus on theory, history, software assurance, assured systems design, and networks. Students in other majors may have to take additional remedial courses or demonstrate appropriate experience.

All students seeking additional certifications must complete the requirements for CNSS 4011 and the following:

• CNSS 4012 - Students certifying for 4012 must complete CIS 511, 512, 513, 514, and 515.
• CNSS 4013 - Students certifying for 4013 must complete CIS 511, 513, and 585
• CNSS 4014 - Students certifying for 4014 must complete CIS 511, 513, and 514
• CNSS 4015 - Students certifying for 4015 must complete CIS 511, 514, and 515

Doctoral students wishing to build a concentration in Information Assurance should contact the director to discuss research and coursework opportunities customized to meet their academic program.

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY  Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu  Revised: August 2006