Informatics Minor
for the Undergraduate Minor in Informatics
The Minor in Informatics will teach you to become a better creator and user of computing technology in your major area and to think critically about new technology's role in society. No other field has, and will have, a greater influence on humanity in our generation.
Informatics studies the design, application, use and impact of information technology. The ability to handle vast amounts of information cheaply has changed the way we live. Advances in computer power, the World Wide Web, search engines, social networking, mobile technology, GIS, and large-scale collaborative initiatives, to name a few, have revolutionized the way knowledge is created and shared. Information has become a ubiquitous, indispensable component of our everyday lives, as we strive to manage information, create knowledge, and make decisions.
The Informatics Minor signals that you have concrete expertise in computing and Information Technology (IT) and understand their human implications.
Students from any major interested in applying technology or studying its effect on humanity are encouraged to apply, preferably by the end of sophomore year. Although there are no prerequisites, basic familiarity with computers is expected.To receive the Informatics Minor students must complete three core courses plus three upper-level classes with sufficient informatics or computational content from an approved list of courses offered from a wide range of disciplines. The core courses are INFO 102, CS 105, and INFO 202. INFO 102 is a broad introduction to computer science and provides an understanding of the nature, capabilities, and limitations of IT. CS 105 is an introduction to computer programming for non-science and non-engineering majors. INFO 202 explores the ways in which IT has and is transforming society and how these technologies affect a range of social, political, and economic issues from the individual to societal levels. Some substitutions can be made. The list of upper-level courses that count toward the minor is here: https://informatics.ischool.illinois.edu/courses-for-the-minor/ This list is dynamic as new classes are added each year.
Course requirements for students who are NOT CS or CS+ or ECE or Information Systems or Art & Design majors or CS minors:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 102 | Little Bits to Big Ideas | 4 |
| INFO 202 | Social Aspects Info Tech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro Computing: Non-Tech | ||
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Data Science Discovery | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems & Programming | ||
| 3 upper-level courses from an Informatics-approved list of courses | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Course requirements for students who are CS, CS+, or ECE majors or CS minors:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 202 | Social Aspects Info Tech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Computer Systems & Programming | ||
| 4 upper-level, non-CS courses from an Informatics-approved list of courses | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 18-19 | |
Course requirements for students who are Information Systems majors:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 102 | Little Bits to Big Ideas | 4 |
| INFO 202 | Social Aspects Info Tech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro Computing: Non-Tech | ||
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Data Science Discovery | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems & Programming | ||
| Three upper-level non-BADM courses from an Informatics approved list of courses. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Course requirements for students who are Art & Design majors:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 102 | Little Bits to Big Ideas | 4 |
| INFO 202 | Social Aspects Info Tech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro Computing: Non-Tech | ||
| Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Data Science Discovery | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems & Programming | ||
| 3 upper-level, non-ARTS and non-ARTD courses from an Informatics-approved list of courses | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Visit https://informatics.ischool.illinois.edu/minor-program/ for information about the Informatics Minor. This minor is offered by Informatics Programs, https://informatics.ischool.illinois.edu/, 333–4930.
for the Undergraduate Minor in Informatics
Informatics Minor
Contact: Karin Readel, Senior Education Coordinator, (217)-244-1220
Informatics Minor website
Informatics Email