An academic field, basically the same thing as computer
science, it's a compound word of 'Information' and 'Mathematics'. Mostly used in europe.
Informatics cover a
broad spread of topics, in general it is about data storage, procession and transmission. While it is a science on it's own, it can also be viewed as a meta science much like mathematics for the process of information gathering and processing taking place in all academic fields.
Has the advantage over the term "computer science" that people don't confuse it with learning how to operate a
computer.
"So uh, you study computer
science?"
"It's called Informatics!"
"What's the difference?"
"Not much really, just the fact that Informatics doesn't have all too much to do with computers- just like computer
science."
"Huh?"
" 'Computer
science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.'
-- Edsger W. Dijkstra"