Informatics, Graduate Certificate
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in Informatics requires 19 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must earn a major program grade-point average of at least 3.00 in certificate coursework. The certificate program is designed for students enrolled in University of Iowa graduate degree programs who wish to study informatics as a complement to their degree program and for nondegree students who are interested in increasing their knowledge of informatics.
The Certificate in Informatics requires the following coursework.
Required Courses
Programming
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CS:5110/IGPI:5110 | Introduction to Informatics | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| CS:3010 | Software Engineering Fundamentals in Java | 3 |
| CS:3210 | Programming Languages and Tools | 3 |
| CS:3980 | Topics in Computer Science I | 3 |
| SEES:3050/IGPI:3050 | Geospatial Programming | 3 |
Statistics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
Data Science
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:6480/IGPI:6480 | Knowledge Discovery | 3 |
| STAT:4540/BAIS:4540/DATA:4540/IGPI:4540 | Statistical Learning | 3 |
| An approved course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
Databases
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| CS:4400 | Database Systems | 3 |
| SEES:4580/IGPI:4581 | Introduction to Geographic Databases | 3 |
Human Factors
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| CS:4500 | Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| CS:4510 | Human-Computer Interaction for Computer Science | 3 |
| SEES:3540/IGPI:3540 | Geographic Visualization | 3 |
Ethics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CS:5980 | Topics in Computer Science III (Responsible Conduct of Research) | 1 |
For more information about certificate requirements, see the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics website.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Certificate program applicants may be degree or nondegree graduate students. Applicants who are enrolled in a University of Iowa graduate degree program must be in good academic standing in their program.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Informatics, Graduate Certificate
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| The graduate certificate in informatics requires 19 s.h. of graduate credit. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CS:5110 | Introduction to Informatics | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Certificate: programming elective course a | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| STAT:4143 or BIOS:4120 |
Introduction to Statistical Methods or Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| CS:4500 |
Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction b or Geographic Visualization or Human-Computer Interaction for Computer Science |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:6480 or STAT:4540 |
Knowledge Discovery or Statistical Learning |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| CS:5980 | Topics in Computer Science III | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SEES:4580 or CS:4400 |
Introduction to Geographic Databases or Database Systems |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
- a
- Students must complete one course from CS:3010, CS:3210, CS:3980, SEES:3050.
- b
- CS:4500 is typically offered only during fall semesters. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.