What is informatics, and why is it important to learn about?

Informatics refers to the process of transforming data and information into useful knowledge for professionals in a variety of fields. The advent of the information age has created vast and potentially overwhelming quantities of data, and informatics seeks to harness the power of data science, statistics, and analytics to yield actionable insights as well as data visualizations to present them in an easily-understandable format. Informatics is thus becoming an important part of many industries seeking to use data to meet human needs by improving quality of service or creating new products. Informatics is perhaps most prominently used in the field of nursing, where nurse informaticists use electronic healthcare data to provide decision support for doctors, streamline reporting, and improve the quality and safety of patient-centered care. It is also increasingly used in materials science, where materials data science and informatics can be used to improve the understanding, use, selection, development, and discovery of materials in the engineering field. And in the realm of biology, bioinformatics is playing an important role in understanding large and complex biological datasets, particularly in the realm of genomics.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in informatics?

The process of turning today’s incredibly rich data environment into usable insights is transforming a wide range of fields, and understanding these tools can be an asset for many careers. A background in bioinformatics, for example, is increasingly important for working as a biologist or medical scientist, especially if you want to understand the enormously complex data encoded in genes. Materials informatics expertise can lead to new opportunities in materials science and engineering, enabling new building materials and applications for them to be developed much more quickly than in the past. Skills in using informatics are especially important for careers in nursing, as transformative health care delivery increasingly depends on information technology to improve and coordinate care, support patient engagement, and enable the use of analytics to inform decision-making. Becoming a nurse typically requires a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in nursing, along with state licensing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $73,300 in 2019, and these jobs are expected to grow faster than average as the population ages and chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity become more common.

Can I learn about informatics by taking online courses on Coursera?

Absolutely. Coursera offers a wealth of opportunities on data science and information technology, as well as applied courses on informatics in a variety of fields including nursing, materials science, and bioinformatics. You can learn from top-ranked universities like Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Minnesota, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of California San Diego, ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your education to learn online. And, because you can view course materials and complete assignments at your convenience, you have the flexibility to build these valuable, job-ready skills while maintaining your current work schedule.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn informatics?

Before you start learning informatics, it can be helpful to have strong critical thinking and analysis skills as well as experience working with computers and programming languages. If you are considering specializing in a field like health informatics, it may be beneficial to have experience working in the health care industry or take courses in health science or biology. Other useful skills include strong communication, observation, and analysis skills.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in informatics?

The kind of people best suited for roles in informatics often have a passion for exploring the connection between people and technology and examining ways to use technology to understand and predict behavior. They tend to be empathetic listeners who get to know the needs and wants of the organizations they work with and can turn statistics into data others can understand. These individuals typically have strong interpersonal, communication, and management skills, as they often work as members of a team. Many people who work in informatics feel comfortable working with statistics and may have backgrounds in computer science, data analysis, or health information management.

What types of places hire people with a background in informatics?

The types of places that hire people with backgrounds in informatics come from multiple industries and range from private companies to government agencies. They include health care facilities, retailers, manufacturers, and insurance companies. Places that hire people with experience in informatics typically look for employees who can help them with tasks like electronics records management, information security, and system design. Many hospital systems hire people with backgrounds in informatics because they need to have secure systems in place for medical professionals to share patient histories, treatments, and outcomes quickly and efficiently.

What topics can I study that are related to informatics?

In addition to computer science and data analysis, you may want to explore other topics related to informatics, such as data visualization and database management. You also can learn programming languages commonly used to analyze data, like Python and R. Other topics to consider are medical ethics, statistics, machine learning, and AI as well as electronics, linguistics, and psychology.

What are the benefits of taking an online Informatics course?

Online Informatics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Informatics skills. Choose from a wide range of Informatics courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Informatics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Informatics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Informatics Courses - Learn Informatics Online

Explore the Informatics Course Catalog

University of California San Diego
Introduction to Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Logical Reasoning, Cryptographic Protocols, Combinatorics, Computational Logic, Deductive Reasoning, Cryptography, Probability, Computational Thinking, Encryption, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Network Analysis, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Python Programming, Data Structures, Cybersecurity, Arithmetic, Mathematical Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Howard University
Introduction to Information Systems for Business
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Business Software, Information Systems, Cloud Computing, Business Systems, Solution Design, Business Technologies, Cloud Computing Architecture, Customer Analysis, Cloud Security, Virtualization, Cloud Platforms, Digital Transformation, Cloud Services, Management Information Systems, Product Design, Business Solutions, Information Technology, Cloud Infrastructure, User Centered Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Davis
Healthcare Data Literacy
Skills you'll gain: Data Integration, Health Systems, Metadata Management, Health Care, Health Information Management and Medical Records, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Taxonomy, Clinical Data Management, Data Quality, Medical Terminology, Data Analysis, Big Data, Interoperability, Data Storage, Data Storage Technologies, Databases
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
121 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado System
Cryptography and Information Theory
Skills you'll gain: Cryptography, Cryptographic Protocols, Encryption, Information Systems Security, Cybersecurity, Computer Security, Theoretical Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
500 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado System
Identifying Patient Populations
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Clinical Data Management, Big Data, Data Integration, Health Information Management and Medical Records, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
40 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Infonomics II: Business Information Management and Measurement
Skills you'll gain: Business Valuation, Data Quality, Asset Management, Information Management, Digital Assets, Management Information Systems, Financial Modeling, Information Privacy, Information Architecture, Data Governance, Organizational Structure, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Data Strategy, Business Metrics, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Regulation and Legal Compliance
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Hacking COVID-19 — Course 2: Decoding SARS-CoV-2's Secrets
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Computational Thinking, Data Validation, Medical Science and Research, Life Sciences
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Stanford University
Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Bioinformatics, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Network Routing, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Analysis, Probability, Design Strategies, Computer Science
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California, Irvine
Computer Hardware and Software
Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, TCP/IP, Information Technology, Networking Hardware, General Networking, Network Protocols, Operating Systems, System Configuration, Software Installation, Computer Networking, Software Systems, Information Systems, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, File Systems, Internet Of Things
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Illinois Tech
Big Data Technologies
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Big Data, Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, Data Infrastructure, Apache Kafka, Real Time Data, Data Management, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hive, Data Lakes, Data Storage Technologies, MongoDB, Databases, Data Architecture, Database Management Systems, Distributed Computing, Data Processing, Software Design Patterns, Scalability
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Hacking COVID-19: Metabolic Pathway Analysis Yields SARS-CoV-2 Drug Targets
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Medical Science and Research, Infectious Diseases, Data Mining, Scientific Visualization, Big Data
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Database systems
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, Relational Databases, Extract, Transform, Load, SQL, Databases, Database Design, Data Mining, Business Intelligence, Database Management Systems, Big Data, Information Systems, Database Systems, MySQL, Predictive Analytics, MongoDB, Analytics, Data Modeling, Query Languages, Scalability
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
678 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months