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Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Understanding people, markets and businesses as rigorously as technology itself

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies focuses on developing solutions in the field of IT by taking human and human-interaction related scenarios into consideration, designing modules that inculcate abstract thinking to realise the core contribution IT can make to real-world problems.

The department operates as an interdisciplinary hub, inviting and promoting continuous engagement between researchers, industry and academia to synthesise different thinking, disciplines and knowledge areas into consumer and business solutions for the field of IT with staff whose expertise spans cognitive psychology, behavioural genetics and beyond.

At a Glance

Academic Staff10+

Degree Programmes1

Module Areas17

General Officeext. 8130

Head of Department

Dr. Leelanga Seneviratne

Head, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Welcome to the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, one of the three departments of the Faculty of Information Technology. Our role is to provide the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that complement the technical learning delivered elsewhere in the faculty, because building good technology has never been a purely technical problem.

head-is@uom.lk

Consumer Solutions

Consumer-centred design, the cognitive psychology of consumer decisions, marketing and product management, and business architecture modelling, equipping students to understand user needs and market behaviour, not just system requirements.

Business Strategy

Strategic management, financial analysis, risk and portfolio management, and business change and process management, the analytical and decision-making skills technology-driven organisations need from their people.

Vision

To be the department that gives Faculty of Information Technology graduates a distinct advantage, the ability to understand people, markets and businesses as rigorously as they understand technology itself.

Mission

•Equip students with interdisciplinary knowledge in consumer-centered design, business strategy, and behavioural science, so that technology solutions are built around real human and business needs.
•Develop the analytical, strategic and decision-making skills students need to lead and grow technology-driven businesses within a dynamic industry.
•Provide practical, laboratory-supported learning in behavioural science, including behavioural genetics and neuroscience, that connects theory to applied insight.
•Build strong language, communication and professional skills that let graduates operate confidently in managerial and corporate settings.

Module Areas

Behavioural ScienceBehavioural GeneticsCognitive NeuroscienceCognitive PsychologySocial PsychologyBusiness and ManagementAccounting and FinanceGeneral ManagementStrategic ManagementEntrepreneurshipInformation and KnowledgeKnowledge ManagementEducation TechnologyHuman CommunicationLanguage StructuresLanguage InterpretationsLinguistics