This is the first version of the 2025–26 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 | 1 |
For more information about certificate requirements, see the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics website.
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 | ||
| BIOS:4120 or STAT:4143 |
Introduction to Biostatistics or Introduction to Statistical Methods |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| SEES:3540 |
Geographic Visualization b or Human-Computer Interaction for Computer Science or Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| STAT:4540 or BAIS:6480 |
Statistical Learning or Knowledge Discovery |
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.