Informatics, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

• At least 27 units of preprofessional requirements
• At least 60 units of major courses

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 137
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Research	Required
University Honors Program	Optional
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required	An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Informatics integrates cutting-edge tools and skills from data analytics, data science, computing, statistical analysis, and modeling with fundamental knowledge from emphasis areas in biology, health, ecology, environmental science, and/ or astronomy. Gain the skills you need to thrive in today’s information-centric professional workplace and follow your passion for the environment, biology, or astronomy (and related fields).

Informatics is data science (a combination of programming with statistics) plus a scientific discipline (environmental science, biology, or astronomy).

 A student graduating with a degree in informatics will be prepared for a range of data science jobs or scientific jobs that require great numeracy.  

All students will take classes in informatics, computer science and statistics.  All students will also participate in the four-class research intensive series teaching research methods.  Ecoinformatics students will also take core classes in environmental science.  Bioinformatics students will also take core classes in biology.  Astroinformatics students will also take core classes in astronomy.


Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Informatics program will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• 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.
• 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.

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.
  Admission decisions that consider in-progress coursework are contingent on successful completion of this coursework as well as continued satisfaction of all other requirements

Major Requirements

• This major requires 87-98 units distributed as follows:

  • Preprofessional requirements: 27-31 units
  • Core Requirements: 30 units
  • Select one Emphasis: 
    • Astroinformatics Emphasis: 30 units
    • Bioinformatics Emphasis: 34 units
    • Ecoinformatics Emphasis: 37 units
  
  Preprofessional Requirements 27 - 31 units:
  Foundations 
  • 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)

     

• Professional Requirements 60 - 67 units:
  Core Requirements (30 units)

  • CS 105, CS 205, CS 249, CS 305, CS 345 (9 units)
  • ENG 302W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
  • INF 376, INF 386, INF 476C, INF 486C - which meets the senior capstone requirement (12 units)
  • STA 275, STA 371 (6 units)

• 
  Emphasis Requirements (Select Only One)

• • 
    Astroinformatics Emphasis (30 units):
    • AST 280 (3 units)
    • PHY 263 (3 units)
    • Additional upper-division MAT course (3 units)
    • Select from (21 units)
      • AST 390, 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 (34 units):
    • BIO 205, BIO 205L, BIO 240 (7 units)
    • Additional upper-division MAT course (3 units)
    • Select from (6 units):
      • INF 413, INF 414, INF 415, INF 416
    • Select from (18 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 320, GSP 433, GSP 435
      • PHY 111, PHY 112
    
    Ecoinformatics Emphasis (37 units):
    • BIO 226, BIO 226L (4 units)
    • Additional upper-division MAT course (3 units)
    • Select from (9 units):
      • INF 205, INF 414, INF 421, INF 422, INF 423
    • Select from (21 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 171, ENV 360, ENV 377, ENV 460
      • FOR 213
      • GSP 320, GSP 433, GSP 435
      • PHY 111, PHY 112

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 liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

• PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION

• Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $425 per semester has been approved for this program.

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