Arizona State University (Tempe campus)
Informatics, BS
Study detals
: Bachelor's degree : Informatics, BS ESCPIBS : Full time : 48 MonthRequirements
Academic requirements
First-year students must:
- Have a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) (a "B" or better where "A"=4.00) from a secondary school. Some ASU programs may have higher admission or English proficiency requirements and may consider a minimum ACT or SAT score.
- Must have three years of high school coursework. (If you are currently in high school, ASU needs to see 9–11 grade coursework. If you have completed high school, ASU needs to see 10–12 grade coursework.)
- Must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate.
Conditional admission
ASU may offer conditional undergraduate admission to international applicants to an on-campus program who meet the academic (aptitude) requirements but who are not proficient in English. This offer of conditional admission will give you time to improve your English proficiency before you start classes at ASU. Your conditional admission offer is good for up to three semesters, during which time you must meet one of these requirements to begin your ASU experience.
Competency requirements
International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements:
- Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
- Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics).
Additional requirements:
The admission standards for majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, shown below, are higher than minimum university admission standards. International students must meet the same admission standards, with the possible additional requirement of a minimum English language proficiency test score. If the university requires an English proficiency test score from the applicant, then admission to engineering requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79 (internet-based test, taken in a testing center), a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, a minimum PTE score of 58, a minimum Duolingo English score of 105, or a minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176.
First-year admission:
- minimum 1210 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score or minimum 24 ACT combined score, or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.00 in ASU competency courses, or class ranking in top 25% of high school class, and
- no high school math or science competency deficiencies
Speciality
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
Transfer admission requirements:
Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours:
- minimum transfer GPA of 3.00 for fewer than 24 transfer hours, and
- no high school math or science competency deficiencies, and
- minimum 1210 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score (or 1140 if taken prior to March 5, 2016) or minimum 24 ACT combined score, or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.00 in ASU competency courses, or class ranking in top 25% of high school class
Transfer students with 24 or more transferable college credit hours must meet EITHER the primary or the secondary criteria (not both):
Primary criteria
- minimum transfer GPA of 3.00 for 24 or more transfer hours, and
- no high school math or science competency deficiencies (if ASU Admission Services requires submission of a high school transcript)
Secondary criteria
- minimum transfer GPA of 2.75 for 24 or more transfer credit hours, and
- minimum GPA of 2.75 in all critical courses: MAE 201 Mechanics of Particles and Rigid Bodies I: Statics, MAE 202 Mechanics of Particles and Rigid Bodies II: Dynamics, MAE 213 Mechanics of Materials, and MAE 241 Introduction to Thermodynamics.
Additional information
Program description
Informatics is about discovering, developing and understanding computer applications that improve people's lives. The BS program in informatics prepares students to become skilled professionals who take a transdisciplinary, user-oriented perspective toward information and computing systems, apply current informatics methods to address society's needs and contribute to the next generation of such systems.
The informatics bachelor's degree program provides an option for students interested in a flexible program in applied information and computing technologies. The program provides skills in design and implementation of computer systems while offering opportunities for building applications used by people in many fields. Students learn to develop software for devices of all sizes, from supercomputers to cell phones and even smaller. The challenges of informatics include designing, developing and applying tools that model, aid or automate activities within science, engineering, business, geography, education and entertainment.
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
- Global Management (Creative Industries and Design Thinking), MGM
- Global Management (Data Science), MGM
- Global Management (Digital Audience Strategy), MGM
- Global Management (Global Affairs), MGM
- Global Management (Global Business), MGM
- Global Management (Global Development and Innovation), MGM
- Global Management (Global Digital Transformation), MGM
- Global Management (Global Entrepreneurship), MGM
- Global Management (Global Health Care Delivery), MGM
- Global Management (Global Legal Studies), MGM
- Global Management (Nonprofit Leadership and Management), MGM
- Global Management (Public Administration), MGM
- Global Management (Public Policy), MGM
- Global Management (Sustainability Solutions), MGM
- Global Management (Sustainable Tourism), MGM
- Global Management, MGM
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Artificial Intelligence), MS
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program.
Global opportunities
Global experience
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, informatics students are able to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S., or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Informatics careers center on solving problems through the design and creation of information systems, user interfaces, mobile technologies and social media.
Graduates have the ability to develop future information technology solutions that place a strong emphasis on user needs and provide the ability to adapt and change dynamically with society's needs. This makes the informatician a strong candidate for jobs in:
- data analytics
- management consulting firms
- technology research centers
- technology startups
Additionally, they are prepared for graduate programs that offer an emphasis in emerging technologies.