Informatics involves the study and application of information technology, while considering its impact on individuals, organizations, and society. It uses computation as a universal tool to solve problems, communicate, and express ideas. Informatics is used in practically any field, including the natural sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences as well as engineering and business.

On the University of Illinois campus, degrees in Informatics include classes offered by several colleges, with the iSchool providing administrative support for Informatics Programs as a whole.