Farewell, iSchool. Hello, College of Computing & Informatics. The new college, announced on Sept. 9, combines the strengths and assets of Drexel’s existing undergraduate, graduate and professional computing and informatics programs. It unites the faculty, staff and students from the former iSchool, College of Information Science and Technology with the College of Engineering’s Computer Science Department and the Department of Computing and Security Technology from Goodwin College of Professional Studies. It will begin enrolling new students in the fall of 2014.
Dr. David E. Fenske, Isaac L. Auerbach Professor of Information Science and dean of the iSchool, will continue his service at Drexel as the founding dean of the new college.
The move addresses a national demand for graduates in computing and data science. The college will enroll more than 2,200 students in its inaugural year. More than half of the students will be undergraduates, with the number of undergraduates projected to grow by 15 percent annually to help meet the persistent gap between computing degrees granted and the number of jobs in the field.
In addition to its undergraduate programs, the college will continue to offer a master of science degree in library and information science, as well as master’s degree programs in computing, software engineering, health care informatics and related areas. It will also provide a number of professional development opportunities in diverse areas such as archival studies, competitive intelligence and knowledge management, digital libraries, youth services, cyber law and policy, cybersecurity and homeland security management. The college will also offer a doctoral degree in computer science and one in information studies.