Upper-level Courses for the Informatics Minor

To qualify as one of the three upper-level courses satisfying the informatics minor, a course must be at the 300-level or above, and satisfy one of the following three descriptions. (Courses that satisfy some aspects may be approved on an ad hoc basis.)

Society. Courses that focus on the history, use, and impact of computers, computation, communication, or information technology. That is, on how the adaptation or availability of computer and communication technologies have and are changing the human condition.

Data. Courses that involve learning computer modeling tools, building models, using visualization software, or otherwise using computers to help collect and/or analyze data in some way that goes beyond simple statistical computations and graphing.

Expression. Courses that use information and computer technologies to collect and/or modify and/or create media artifacts as part of an artistic, creative, and/or communicative process. This must go beyond straightforward data rendering.

Note that for any of the special topics courses, only those topics specifically listed on this webpage will count for the INFO minor. However, special topics courses will not automatically show up on a student’s degree audit report. Students need to contact info-minor@illinois.edu and request to have special topics electives added to their audit report.

*This list is updated at the start of each term based on new course offerings. If you see a course that you think should be on this list, please send an email with a copy of the course syllabus to info-minor@illinois.edu and we will have the course evaluated.

  • ACE 344: FinTech in Personal Finance and Financial Planning – Agr & Consumer Economics
          Note: Credit is not given towards graduation for ACE 344 if credit for ACE 398 TCH has been earned.
  • ACE 360: Spreadsheet models and applications – Agr & Consumer Economics
  • ACE 398: Experiential Learning: Experiential Learning – Agr & Consumer Economics
  • ACE 398: Experiential Learning: Financial Planning Technologies – Agr & Consumer Economics
  • ACE 446: Agr & Consumer Economics Modelling App’s Finan Plan – Agr & Consumer Economics
  • ADV 305: Digital Advertising Content – Advertising
          Note: Taught previously as an ADV 490 section
  • ADV 360: Innovation in Advertising – Advertising
          Note: Credit is not given toward graduation for ADV 360 and ADV 460. Restricted to students with Sophomore, Junior, or Senior.
  • ADV 400: Special Problems: Advertising and New Media – Advertising
  • ADV 400: Special Problems: Advertising Design Techniques – Advertising
  • ADV 400: Special Problems: Public Relations in the Digital Age – Advertising
  • ADV 409: Media Entrepreneurship – Advertising
          Note: No graduate credit.
  • ADV 480: Social Media Analytics – Advertising
          Note: Credit is not given towards graduation for ADV 480 if credit for ADV 490 SMA Social Media Analytics has been earned.
  • ADV 490: Advanced Special Topics in Advertising: Business Analytics for Advertising – Advertising
  • ADV 490: Advanced Special Topics in Advertising: Digital Media and Society – Advertising
  • ADV 490: Advanced Special Topics in Advertising: Networks and Media Ecosystems – Advertising
  • ADV 490: Advanced Special Topics in Advertising: Social Media Analytics – Advertising
  • AE 410: Computational Aerodynamics – Aerodynamics
          Note: Same as CSE 461.
  • AE 483: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Navigation and Control – Aerodynamics
  • AGCM 315: Social Media Management in Agricultural Communications – Agricultural Communications
  • ANSC 442: Intro to Data Analytics – Animal Sciences
          Note: Credit is not given for ANSC 442 and ANSC 445.
  • ANSC 444: Applied Animal Genetics – Animal Sciences
  • ANSC 445: Statistical Methods – Animal Sciences
          Note: Same as ABE 445 and NRES 445.
  • ANTH 372: Topics in Lang and Culture – Anthropology
          Note: May be repeated in separate terms.
  • ARTD 317: UI/UX Design for Non Majors – Art-Design
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • ARTD 318: Digital Interaction – Art-Design
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • ARTD 499: : Sustainable Lifecycle Design & Research I – Art-Design
  • ARTS 443: Time arts II – Art-Studio
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 6 undergraduate or 8 graduate hours.
  • ARTS 444: Interactivity II – Art-Studio
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 undergraduate or 8 graduate hours.
  • ATMS 305: Computing and data analysis – Atmospheric Sciences
  • BADM 350: IT for networked organizations – Business Administration
  • BADM 351: Social Media Strategy – Business Administration
  • BADM 352: Database design and management – Business Administration
  • BADM 353: Information systems analysis and design – Business Administration
  • BADM 374: Management decision models – Business Administration
  • BADM 453: Business Intelligence – Business Administration
          Note: No graduate credit.
  • BADM 458: IT governance – Business Administration
  • BDI 367: Data Visualization and Communication – Business Data & Innovation
          Note: Restricted to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
  • BDI 411: Blockchain, Tokens, and Their Application in Business – Business Data & Innovation
          Note: This course has no pre-requisites and is open to students from any college.
  • BDI 475: Introduction to Data Analytics Applications in Business – Business Data & Innovation
          Note: No graduate credit.
  • BDI 477: Emerging Technology and Disruption: Learning to Navigate an Uncertain Future – Business Data & Innovation
          Note: This course has no pre-requisites and is open to students from any college.
  • CI 424: Child Development and Technology – Curriculum & Instruction
          Note: Approved for both letter and S/U grading.
  • CI 437: Educational Game Design – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 438: Computer Programming in the Classroom – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 482: Social Learning & Multimedia – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: Attention Learning and Tech – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: Critiques of Educational Technology – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: Designing Learning Spaces – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: History (& Future) of Educational Technology – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CI 499: Issues and Development in Education: Technology Apps for Teachers – Curriculum & Instruction
  • CMN 396: Special Topics in Communications: Clouds, Crowds and Community – Communication
  • CMN 396: Special Topics in Communications: Communication and Digital Culture – Communication
  • CMN 396: Special Topics in Communications: Digital Humanitarians – Communication
  • CMN 396: Special Topics in Communications: Race and Digital Studies – Communication
  • CMN 396: Special Topics in Communications: Social Media and Politics – Communication
  • CMN 410: Workplace Comm Technology – Communication
  • CMN 496: Adv Topics in Communications: Communication Technology and Altruism – Communication
  • CMN 496: Adv Topics in Communications: Health & Technology – Communication
  • CMN 496: Adv Topics in Communications: Introduction to Communication Analytics – Communication
  • CMN 496: Adv Topics in Communications: Digital Humanitarianism – Communication
  • CMN 496: Adv Topics in Communications: Political Campaign Analysis – Communication
  • CPSC 444: Introduction to Spatial Analytics – Crop Sciences
  • CPSC 499: Advanced Special Topics: Data Processing and Analysis – Crop Sciences
  • CPSC 499: Advanced Special Topics: Digital Agriculture – Crop Sciences
  • CS 105: Introduction to Computing- Non-Tech – Computer Science
          Note: Intended for non-science and non-engineering majors. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Quantitative Reasoning I
  • CS 410: Text Information Systems – Computer Science
  • CS 411: Database Systems – Computer Science
  • CS 412: Introduction to Data Mining – Computer Science
  • CS 418: Interactive Computer Graphics – Computer Science
          Note: Same as CSE 427.
  • CS 440: Computer Science Intro to Artificial Intelligence – Computer Science
          Note: Same as ECE 448.
  • CS 446: Machine Learning – Computer Science
          Note: Same as ECE 449.
  • CS 461: Computer Security I – Computer Science
          Note: Same as ECE 422.
  • CS 463: Computer Security II – Computer Science
          Note: Same as ECE 424.
  • CS 465: User Interface Design – Computer Science
          Note: Non-technical majors may enroll as non-programmers who participate in all aspects of the projects with the possible exception of implementation.
  • CS 466: Introduction to Bioinformatics – Computer Science
  • CS 467: Social Visualization – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Cloud Computing Applications – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Computational Advertising – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Computational Photography – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Cyber Dystopia – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Digital Forensics – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Health Informatics – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Principles of User Interface Design, Implementation, and Evaluation – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Social Computing – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Social Info Networks – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Social Visualization – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Socio-Computer Interaction – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Virtual Reality – Computer Science
  • CS 498: Special Topics: Wireless IoT Lab – Computer Science
  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Dance Technology – Dance
  • DANC 451: Individual Study/Creative Investigations: Social Impact thru Arts Technology – Dance
  • DTX 495: Special Topics in Design Thinking: Student Centered App Design – Human-Centered Design and Design Thinking
  • ECE 402: Electronic Music Synthesis – Electrical and Computer Engr
  • ECON 475: Economic Forecasting – Economics
          Note: Previously taught as a Special Topics ECON 490 section
  • ECON 483: Economics of Innovation and Tech – Economics
  • ENGL 396: English Honors Seminar: Old and New Media – English
  • ENGL 461: Advanced Topics in Literature and Culture: Old and New Media – English
  • ENGL 475: Literature and Other Disciplines: Building a (Better) Book – English
  • ENGL 482: Writing Technologies – English
  • EPOL 483: Learning Technologies – Education Policy, Organization & Leadership
  • EPSY 490: Developments in Educational Psychology: Educational Games Research – Educational Psychology
  • EPSY 490: Developments in Educational Psychology: Learning in Everyday Contexts – Educational Psychology
  • FIN 418: Financial Modeling – Finance
  • GGIS 379: Introduction to GIS – Geography
          Note: Same as ESE 379.
  • GGIS 380: GIS II: Spatial Problem Solving – Geography
          Note: Same as ESE 380. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Quantitative Reasoning II
  • GGIS 403: Geographic Information Science and Systems – Geography
  • GGIS 407: Foundations of CyberGIS & Geospatial Data Science – Geography
          Note: Same as GEOL 407.
  • GGIS 412: Geospatial Technology and Society – Geography
          Note: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 if topic varies.
  • GGIS 439: Health Applications of GIS – Geography
          Note: Same as PATH 439. Approved for Letter and S/U grading.
  • GGIS 460: Aerial Photo Analysis – Geography
          Note: Same as NRES 460.
  • GGIS 476: Applied GIS to environmental studies – Geography
          Note: Same as IB 476.
  • GGIS 477: Introduction to Remote Sensing – Geography
          Note: Same as NRES 477.
  • GGIS 479: Advanced GIS – Geography
          Note: Course topics may vary. May be repeated in separate terms up to 8 hours, if topics vary.
  • GGIS 480: Principles of Geographic Information Systems – Geography
  • GGIS 489: Programming for GIS – Geography
  • GLBL 499: Special Topics: Global Information Society – Global Studies
  • GSD 390: Special Topics in Game Studies & Design: Grassroots Computing – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Any GSD 390 course applies to the Informatics Minor. Topics vary by semester.
  • GSD 403: An Introduction to Top Down Video Game Design – Game Studies and Design
          Note: formerly taught as INFO 403
  • GSD 405: Introduction to the Video Game Development Process – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Credit is not given for GSD 405 and INFO 490 DC “The Video Game Dev Process” sections.
  • GSD 409: Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations – Game Studies and Design
          Note: Same as CW 463 1U Design & Programming of Narrative Games & Simulations. Credit is not given for GSD 409and INFO 490 JP, JPU or JPG “Design & Prog Text Based Games” sections.
  • GSD 411: Interactive Fiction with Twine – Game Studies and Design
          Note: No prior programming experience is assumed. Same as CW 463AL Interactive Fiction with Twine
  • HK 400: Human Robot Interaction for Health & Wellness – Health and Kinesiology
          Note: formerly CHLH 400
  • HK 401: Health Behavior and Technology – Health and Kinesiology
  • HK 402: Tech-Driven Health Intervention – Health and Kinesiology
  • HK 403: Technology, Health and Aging – Health and Kinesiology
          Note: Formerly CHLH 470
  • HK 416: Applied Health Data Analysis – Health and Kinesiology
          Note: Formerly CHLH 421. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Quantitative Reasoning II.
  • IB 364: Bioinformatics & Human Genome – Integrative Biology
  • IB 473: Plant genomics – Integrative Biology
  • INFO 102: Little Bits to Big Ideas – Informatics
          Note: Offered in the Spring only. Same as CS 102.
  • INFO 202: Social Aspects of Information Technologies – Informatics
          Note: Same as IS 202 and MACS 202. See IS 202. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Social & Beh Sci – Soc Sci
  • INFO 303: Writing Across Media – Informatics
          Note: Same as WRIT 303 Writing Across Media. This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Advanced Composition.
  • INFO 310: Computing in the Humanities – Informatics
          Note: Same as IS 310. See IS 310.
  • INFO 326: New Media, Culture, & Society – Informatics
          Note: Same as MACS 326. See MACS 326.
  • INFO 333: User Experience Design in Action – Informatics
  • INFO 345: Digital and Gender Cultures – Informatics
          Note: Same as GWS 345, MACS 345, and SOC 345. See MACS 345.
  • INFO 390: Individual study – Informatics
          Note: Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 6 hours.
  • INFO 407: Introduction to Programming Python for Data Science – Informatics
          Note: Credit is not given toward graduation for BOTH INFO 407 and INFO 490 MH “Intro to Prog for the Data Science” sections.
  • INFO 415: Makerspace: Open Studio – Informatics
          Note: Students who have taken a different Makerspace course at the FabLab previously are eligible to participate in this class, but it is also not a requirement. Graduate students will have an additional documentation project component emphasizing digital literacy. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for INFO 415 and INFO 490 ALU/ALG “Makerspace: Open Studio” sections.
  • INFO 416: Makerspace: Game Studies – Informatics
          Note: Class will meet in the CU Community Fab Lab in Art Annex II. Students who have taken a different makerspace class before are encouraged to enroll. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for INFO 416 and INFO 490 A/AG “Makerspace: Game Studies” sections.
  • INFO 418: Makerspace: Escape Rooms – Informatics
          Note: Credit is not given for INFO 418 and INFO 490 B, BG, ERU or ERG “Makerspace: Escape rooms” sections.
  • INFO 419: Makerspace: Learning in Community – Informatics
          Note: Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • INFO 424: Musical Informatics – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Chatbots and Interactive Artificial Intelligence – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Contemporary Practice in Web Development – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Content Management Systems – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Digital Forensics I – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Digital Forensics II – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Fundamentals of Information Security – Informatics
  • INFO 490: Special Topics: Global Informatics Seminar – Informatics
  • INFO 491: Undergraduate Bioinformatics Seminar – Informatics
          Note: Same as CPSC 491. Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated in separate terms to maximum of 2 undergraduate hours.
  • IS 308: Race, Gender and Info Tech (formerly IS 390 RGI) – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 390 RGI
  • IS 309: Computers and Culture – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 390 CC
  • IS 310: Computing in the humanities – Information Sciences
          Note: Same as INFO 310.
  • IS 312: Reading and Writing Data – Information Sciences
          Note: This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Advanced Composition Humanities – Lit & Arts
  • IS 316: The Design of Usable Information Interfaces – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 351
  • IS 324: Social Network Analysis – Information Sciences
          Note: Same as SOC 324.
  • IS 327: Concepts for Machine Learning – Information Sciences
          Note: Restricted to Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing.
  • IS 357: Introduction to Data Storytelling – Information Sciences
  • IS 364: Privacy and Information Technology – Information Sciences
  • IS 390: Special Topics: Concepts of Machine Learning – Information Sciences
  • IS 390: Special Topics: Privacy and Info Technology – Information Sciences
  • IS 390: Special Topics: Social Systems Dynamics – Information Sciences
  • IS 401: Introduction to Network Information Systems – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 451. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
  • IS 401: Intro to Data Science – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 457
  • IS 409: Web Technologies & Techniques – Information Sciences
          Note: Priority is given to students pursuing a transfer into the BS/IS degree (http://go.ischool.illinois.edu/BSIS).
  • IS 419: Entrepreneurial IT Design – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 490 ITU
  • IS 420: Community Informatics – Information Sciences
  • IS 424: Social Computing – Information Sciences
  • IS 429: Web Content Strategy and Management – Information Sciences
  • IS 439: Web Development Using Application Framework – Information Sciences
  • IS 440: Community Informatics Studio – Information Sciences
          Note: Assumes experience in community engagement within a social justice framework.
  • IS 445: Data Visualization – Information Sciences
  • IS 446: Systems Analysis and Design – Information Sciences
  • IS 455: Database Design and Prototyping – Information Sciences
  • IS 457: Data Storytelling – Information Sciences
  • IS 464: Information Assurance – Information Sciences
          Note: Formerly IS 462
  • IS 467: Ethics and Policy for Data Design – Information Sciences
  • IS 477: Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility – Information Sciences
  • IS 490: Topics in Info Foundations: Social Media and Global Change – Information Sciences
  • IS 496: Topics in Data Anayltics and Data Science: Computer Networks – Information Sciences
  • IS 497: Topics in Data Anayltics and Data Science: Database Admin & Scaling – Information Sciences
  • IS 497: Topics in Data Anayltics and Data Science: Interdisciplinary Methods in Research Computing – Information Sciences
  • JOUR 425: Multimedia Editing and Design – Journalism
  • JOUR 430: Augmented and Virtual Reality – Journalism
          Note: Credit is not given for JOUR 430 if credit for JOUR 460 (section – Ext Reality and Immersive Tech) or JOUR 460 (section – Immersive Technologies) has been given.
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Data Journalism – Journalism
          Note: 2 credit hour course
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Data Storytelling – Journalism
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Data Visualization – Journalism
          Note: 2 credit hour course
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Extended Realities & Immersive Technologies – Journalism
  • JOUR 460: Special Topics: Immersive Technologies – Journalism
  • LING 402: Tools and Techniques for Speech and Language Processing – Linguistics
  • LING 406: Introduction to Computational Linguistics – Linguistics
  • LING 413: Corpus Linguistics – Linguistics
          Note: This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Advanced Composition
  • LING 446: Fundamentals for Speech Signal Processing and Analysis – Linguistics
  • LING 490: Special Topics in Linguistics: Computational Morphology – Linguistics
  • LING 490: Special Topics in Linguistics: Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing – Linguistics
  • LING 490: Special Topics in Linguistics: Intro to Corpus Linguistics – Linguistics
  • LING 490: Special Topics in Linguistics: Introductory Machine Learning – Linguistics
  • LING 490: Special Topics in Linguistics: Programming for Computational Linguistics – Linguistics
  • MACS 326: New Media, Culture, and Society – Media & Cinema Studies
          Note: Lectures and discussion sections are held in computer-equipped classrooms. Same as INFO 326.
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Digital Cinema – Media & Cinema Studies
  • MACS 496: Advanced Media/Cinema Topics: Techno-Scientific Network – Media & Cinema Studies
  • MCB 317: Genetics and Genomics – Molecular & Cell Biology
          Note: Credit is not given for both MCB 317 and MCB 316.
  • MCB 432: Computing in Molecular Biology – Molecular & Cell Biology
  • MUS 404: Contemp Composition Techniques: Algorithmic Design of Music – Music
  • MUS 404: Contemp Composition Techniques: Engineering the Arts – Music
  • MUS 404: Contemp Composition Techniques: MAXMSP: Interactive Music for Performers and Composers – Music
  • MUS 407: Electronic Music Techniques I – Music
          Note: Weekly lab times assigned.
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Algorithmic Techniques for Multichanel Audio – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Audio Coding with SuperCollider  – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Introduction to Interactive Music – Music
  • MUS 499: Proseminar in Music: Project-Oriented Computer Music – Music
  • NPRE 461: Probabilistic Risk Assessment – Nuclear, Plasma, Radiologic Engineering
  • NRES 454: GIS in Natural Resource Management – Natural Resources & Environ Science
  • PHIL 380: Current Controversies: Philosophy and Intelligence: Minds, Brains and Computers – Philosophy
  • PS 300: Special Topics: Politics of the Internet – Political Science
  • PSYC 358: Human factors – Psychology
          Note: Same as IE 340. See IE 340.
  • PSYC 496: Advanced Current Topics in Psych: Machine Learning Fundamentals & Deep Learning with R – Psychology
  • PSYC 496: Advanced Current Topics in Psych: Network Science and it’s Applications – Psychology
  • PSYC 496: Advanced Current Topics in Psych: Programing and Data Science with R – Psychology
  • PSYC 496: Advanced Current Topics in Psych: Social Communication in The Age of Digital Media – Psychology
  • SOC 350: Technology and Society – Sociology
          Note: This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Social & Beh Sci – Soc Sci
  • STAT 385: Statistics Programming Methods – Statistics
          Note: Students must have access to a computer on which they can install software.
  • STAT 420: Methods of Applied Statistics – Statistics
          Note: Same as ASRM 450
  • STAT 428: Statistical computing – Statistics
          Note: Same as CSE 428
  • STAT 440: Statistical Data Management – Statistics
          Note: Same as CSE 440.
  • STAT 448: Advanced Data Analysis – Statistics
          Note: Same as CSE 448.
  • TAM 470: Computational Mechanics – Theoretical & Applied Mechanics
          Note: Same as CSE 450
  • THEA 437: Software for Lighting Design – Theater
          Note: Accommodating upgrades may necessitate offering the course every other year. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours.
  • UP 316: Urban Informatics II – Urban Planning
          Note: This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for: Quantitative Reasoning II
  • UP 317: Introduction to Urban Data Science – Urban Planning
  • UP 418: GIS for planners – Urban Planning
          Note: Computer laboratory work is included.