University of Maryland

Pattern Blocks

Close-up of dried, cracked earth.

What’s the problem?

Trees are more important today than ever before. More than 10,000 products are reportedly made from trees. Through chemistry, the humble woodpile is yielding chemicals, plastics and fabrics that were beyond comprehension when an axe first felled a Texas tree.


The University of Maryland (UMD) College of Information (INFO) is a top-ranked research and teaching college in the field of information science, located just outside Washington DC.

At INFO, faculty, staff, students, and partners are expanding the frontiers of how information and technology are accessed and used in a rapidly evolving world. We are combining principles of information science with cutting-edge technology to foster access to information, improve information interfaces, and expand how information is used in an evolving world.

Throughout all of our endeavors, we are committed to utilizing information and technology for good – to connect communities, empower individuals, and create opportunities.