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Informatics

The Information School

Informatics is the study of people, information and technology. Students are prepared to design, build, manage and secure information systems that make a difference in society, organizations and individual lives. The curriculum uses an experiential learning approach that emphasizes problem-solving, group work, research, writing, oral presentations and technology.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Minor available

Curricular options: Data Science, Health & Well-Being, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Architecture, Information Assurance & Cybersecurity, Information Management, Information & Society, Software Development

Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design, Business, Computing, Engineering option

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Informatics is a capacity-constrained major. While the vast majority of students enter this major by submitting an additional application once they are enrolled at the UW, you may be considered for direct admission as a freshman by listing Informatics as your first-choice major on the freshman application. Admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • Learn about applying to Informatics as a transfer student on the Department’s website.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses REQUIRED for admission:

  • INFO 2001 SSc – Intellectual Foundations of Informatics
  • One of the following: CSE 121 NSc RSN – Introduction to Computer Programming I, CSE 122 NSc RSN – Introduction to Computer Programming II, CSE 123 NSc RSN – Introduction to Computer Programming III, CSE 142 NSc RSN – Computer Programming I, CSE 143 NSc RSN – Computer Programming II, CSE 154 RSN – Web Programming, CSE 160 NSc RSN – Data Programming, CSE 163 RSN – Intermediate Data Programming, INFO 180/STAT 180/CSE 180 RSN – Introduction to Data Science OR INFO 201 RSN – Foundational Skills for Data Science
  • One of the following: STAT 220 NSc RSN – Statistical Reasoning, STAT 221/CC&SS 221/SOC 221 NSc RSN – Statistical Concepts & Methods for Social Sciences, STAT 290 – NSC RSN Advanced (AP) Statistics, STAT 311 NSc RSN – Elements of Stat Methods, STAT 390 NSc – Statistical Methods in Engineering and Science OR QMETH 201 NSc RSN – Intro to Statistical Methods
  • Any Social Science (SSC) course other than INFO 200
  • Minimum grade of 2.0 in each course.

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 746
Total from Washington community colleges: 51

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 17
3.50 – 3.74: 18
3.25 – 3.49: 7
3.00 – 3.24: 5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

NOTES:

  • 1Since equivalents to INFO 200 are not common, students who have transferred or will transfer to the UW can apply to the program and be admitted with the provision that they complete INFO 200 with a minimum 2.0 grade before the end of their first year in the program.
  • Departmentally approved transfer equivalents may be used to substitute for prerequisite courses.

Career outcomes

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