Program Overview

Informatics Certificate Program

The discipline of informatics makes connections between the work that people do and technology that can support that work. In the certificate program in informatics, students learn to use computer technology to gather, synthesize, store, visualize, and interpret information. These skills are critical to a wide variety of disciplines.

Program Description

Students gain an understanding of the capabilities and technologies of informatics as applied to domain-specific problems in their field of study. Students who complete the certificate are able to understand and use methods for the basic computational principles behind the operation of communication, networking, and interaction; decision-making and problem-solving; modeling, inference, and visualization; representing, creating, and running routine activities; and storing, indexing, and retrieving information.

At a Glance

• College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe

Curriculum

The certificate requires 21 credit hours of coursework, of which at least 12 must be upper division. Students complete 15 credit hours of required courses and select six credit hours of elective coursework. All courses must be passed with a "C" or better. At least 12 credit hours must be completed in residency.

Required Courses

• CPI 101 Introduction to Informatics (QTRS) - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
• CPI 200 Mathematical Foundations of Informatics (MATH) - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
• CPI 220 Applied Data Structures and Algorithms or CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
• CPI 350 Evaluation of Informatics Systems - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
• IEE 380 Probability and Statistics for Engineering Problem Solving (QTRS) or STP 420 Introductory Applied Statistics (QTRS) - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C

Elective Courses

• AME 394 Special Topics
• ART 345 Visualization and Prototyping
• ART 435 Foundry Research Methods
• BIO 355 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology
• BIO 411 Quantitative Methods in Conservation and Ecology
• CIS 300 Web Design and Development
• CIS 308 Advanced Excel in Business
• CIS 310 Business Data Visualization
• CIS 405 Business Intelligence
• CIS 407 Business Database Systems Development
• CPI 310 Web-Based Information Management Systems
• CPI 360 Decision Making and Problem Solving
• CPI 394 Topic: Game Design Fundamentals
• CPI 394 Special Topics
• CPI 494 Special Topics
• CSE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
• CSE 335 Principles of Mobile Application Development
• CSE 360 Introduction to Software Engineering
• CSE 365 Information Assurance
• CSE 394 Special Topics
• CSE 408 Multimedia Information Systems
• CSE 412 Database Management
• CSE 445 Distributed Software Development
• CSE 446 Software Integration and Engineering
• CSE 450 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
• CSE 460 Software Analysis and Design
• CSE 464 Software Quality Assurance and Testing
• CSE 467 Data and Information Security
• CSE 470 Computer Graphics
• CSE 471 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• CSE 475 Foundations of Machine Learning
• CSE 476 Introduction to Natural Language Processing
• CSE 477 Introduction to Computer-Aided Geometric Design
• DAT 300 Mathematical Tools for Data Science
• DAT 301 Exploring Data in R and Python
• DAT 401 Statistical Modeling and Inference for Data Science
• DAT 402 Machine Learning for Data Science
• EDT 440 Creating and Marketing Mobile Apps
• ENG 374 Technical Editing
• FMS 374 Film and Media Visionaries
• FMS 365 Video Games and Narrative
• FSE 301 Entrepreneurship and Value Creation
• FSE 404 EPICS Gold: EPICS in Action
• GIT 335 Computer Systems Technology
• GIT 340 Information Design and Usability
• IEE 380 Probability and Statistics for Engineering Problem Solving (QTRS)
• MAT 300 Mathematical Structures
• MAT 421 Applied Computational Methods (MATH)
• SER 334 Operating Systems and System Programming
• SOC 334 Technology and Society (SOBE)
• SOS 424 Dynamic Modeling in Social and Ecological Systems
• STS 304 Science, Technology and Society (SOBE)
• STS 306 Social Effects of Science and Technology
• TEL 313 Technology in an Educational Setting
• TWC 414 Advanced Data Visualization
• TWC 444 User Experience

Enrollment Requirements

• ASU degree-seeking students: The undergraduate certificate in informatics is available to all students who are in good standing at ASU and who have completed CSE 205, MAT 242, and MAT 243 with a grade of "C" or higher.
• Nondegree-seeking students: Applicants with or without a bachelor's degree are eligible to apply for and receive this certificate through the Pathways for the Future program. Applicants must have completed the following courses, or their equivalents, with a grade of "C" or higher: CSE 205 Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures, MAT 242 Elementary Linear Algebra, and MAT 243 Discrete Mathematical Structures.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Use computational principles for information-based decision-making and problem-solving.
• Apply computational principles to the operation of storing, indexing, and retrieving information in informatics applications.

Career Opportunities

Graduates who have completed this certificate should be in high demand within the software industry and in government, education, science, medicine, and other fields that make use of computer technology. The certificate's applied and user-oriented focus makes graduates attractive to such employers.