Program Overview

Informatics, Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Informatics aims to prepare students to apply their informatics expertise to an emphasis area of interest. By providing a broad foundation in computing and data analysis, consisting of computer science, programming, software engineering, statistics, and mathematics expertise, with in-depth study in an emphasis area, this program prepares graduates for a broad range of interdisciplinary careers in industry, government, and academic organizations or further postgraduate study.

Available Emphasis Areas

• Astroinformatics - Emphasis
• Bioinformatics - Emphasis
• Ecoinformatics - Emphasis

Program Description

This program focuses on the practical application of computing and data analysis expertise to a broad range of domains. Study in this program is initially grounded in rigorous coursework that gives students the opportunity to master foundational computing and data analysis skills as well as gain in-depth knowledge in a scientific area closely associated with their emphasis. Continued study in the Informatics program is focused on undergraduate research and problem-based learning closely supervised by a faculty mentor with specialized expertise.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Identify, explain, and apply the fundamental methods of informatics, including programming, data structures, computer science, software design and development techniques and tools, mathematics, and statistical analysis.
• Identify, explain, and apply the interdisciplinary combination of core informatics and specialized expertise defining one of the following emphasis areas:
  • Bioinformatics, emphasizing applications in cellular and molecular biology, microbiology and disease mechanisms, genetics and evolution, and genomic analyses.
  • Ecoinformatics, emphasizing applications in remote sensing, ecological and environmental modelling, use of large biological diversity and conservation datasets, and global environmental change.
  • Astroinformatics, emphasizing applications in solar system science, stellar evolution, astrometry, observational astronomy, and imaging.
• Identify, organize, and distill scientific literature within an informatics emphasis area to effectively contextualize research questions.
• Apply appropriate methods and tools to the creative execution of an investigation that addresses informatics research questions, while upholding ethical standards to ensure responsible data use, privacy protection, and avoidance of bias, promoting socially responsible outcomes.
• Engage in effective teamwork as a member of co-located and distributed interdisciplinary research teams.
• Compose and engage in effective written and oral communication in informatics, including scholarly dissemination and lay-communication.

Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

• All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
• All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
• At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
• At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above).
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

Major Requirements

This major requires 87 - 98 units distributed as follows:

• Preprofessional requirements: 27 - 31 units
• Core Requirements: 33 units
• Select one Emphasis: 27 - 34 units
  • Astroinformatics Emphasis: 27 units
  • Bioinformatics Emphasis: 31 units
  • Ecoinformatics Emphasis: 34 units

Preprofessional Requirements

• CS 126, CS 126L, CS 136, CS 136L, CS 200 (11 units)
• MAT 136, MAT 137 (8 units)
• If completing the Astroinformatics Emphasis (12 units):
  • AST 180, AST 181L (4 units)
  • PHY 171, PHY 262 (8 units)
• If completing the Bioinformatics Emphasis or the Ecoinformatics Emphasis (8 units):
  • BIO 181, BIO 181L, BIO 182, BIO 182L (8 units)

Core Requirements

• CS 105, CS 205, CS 249, CS 305, CS 345 (9 units)
• EGR 333W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
• MAT 226 (3 units)
• INF 376, INF 386 (6 units)
• INF 476C, INF 486C which meet the senior capstone requirement (6 units)
• STA 275, STA 371 (6 units)

Emphasis Requirements

• Astroinformatics Emphasis (27 units)
  • AST 280, AST 390 (6 units)
  • PHY 263 (3 units)
  • Select from the following (18 units):
    • AST 391, AST 392, AST 485, AST 510, AST 520
    • CS 122, CS 122L, CS 421, CS 450, CS 485
    • MAT 238
    • PHY 265, PHY 361, PHY 451
    • STA 445, STA 471, STA 478
• Bioinformatics Emphasis (31 units)
  • BIO 205, BIO 205L, BIO 240 (7 units)
  • INF 413, INF 414, INF 415, INF 416 (12 units)
  • Select from the following (12 units):
    • BIO 344, BIO 350, BIO 482C
    • CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L, CHM 235, CHM 235L, CHM 238, CHM 238L, CHM 360, CHM 360L
    • CS 499 - Machine Learning
    • GSP 420, GSP 433, GSP 435
    • PHY 111, PHY 112
• Ecoinformatics Emphasis (34 units)
  • BIO 226, BIO 226L, BIO 441 (7 units)
  • Select from the following (9 units):
    • INF 205, INF 414, INF 421, INF 422, INF 423
  • Select from the following (18 units):
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L, BIO 369, BIO 479
    • CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L, CHM 235, CHM 235L, CHM 238, CHM 238L, CHM 360, CHM 360L
    • CS 499 - Machine Learning
    • ENV 115, ENV 360, ENV 460
    • ENV 171 and ENV 171L
    • FOR 213
    • GSP 420, GSP 433, GSP 435
    • PHY 111, PHY 112

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree. Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Informatics and start a Master of Science in Informatics at NAU.

Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. Admission is competitive and based on the following criteria:

• Successful completion of all pre-major course requirements with a "C" or better, or current enrollment in any remaining course requirements during the semester of application.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all pre-major course requirements, although this minimum does not guarantee admission and higher GPA is expected.

General Electives

Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit. You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.