Undergraduate Programs
Shape the future of information.
Find out how our undergraduate programs are right for you:
Want to protect digital systems from cyber threats? Train artificial intelligence to make smarter decisions? Design immersive worlds in virtual reality? At the College of Information Science, undergraduates turn curiosity into capability across fields such as cybersecurity, data science, AI, game design, creative computing and emerging technologies.
Your transformation happens through rigorous, cross-disciplinary coursework with hands-on experiences—signature events like the iShowcase, internships with industry and government partners, research opportunities, student clubs, and professional development designed to launch careers. It’s an approach that prepares graduates for a field that is increasingly vital to employers nationwide. In fact, information sciences is ranked among the most in-demand bachelor’s degrees by employers, reflecting the growing need for professionals who understand how to connect people, data and technology.
OUR BACHELOR'S DEGREES
In the STEM-designated BAS in Cyber Defense you'll be prepared to become a critical layer of cyber defense through offensive and defensive cyber operations, malware and forensics, network and system security, cyber threat intelligence, problem solving with code, and law, ethics and policy. Offered on main campus and online.
In the STEM-designated BS in Cyber Operations, you'll be prepared to lead in high-stakes cybersecurity environments, building skills in reverse engineering, network analysis, penetration testing and low-level programming through emphasis areas in Artificial Intelligence (CAE-CyberAI designation) and Security (CAE-CO designation). Offered on main campus and online.
In the STEM-designated BA in Emerging Technologies in Society, you’ll explore how artificial intelligence, information security and privacy, algorithms, social media, extended reality and user experience influence how we live, work and connect. Offered online.
In the BA in Game Design, you’ll gain a hands-on, interdisciplinary understanding of important artistic and design principles and human behavior in games for entertainment, education, public relations and other industries, as well as the implications of gamification in society (including game addiction), without the need for extensive knowledge of computer programming. Offered on main campus.
In the STEM-designated BS in Game Development you’ll get the hands-on design and development skills necessary to create interactive, virtual environments that span devices and platforms, whether for games or virtual reality applications in education, business, healthcare and beyond. Offered on main campus and online.
In the STEM-designated, top-ranked BS in Information Science, you’ll explore information systems and computational methods used to transform data and information into knowledge in one of three emphasis areas: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science or Interactive and Immersive Technologies. Offered on main campus.
In the STEM-designated BA in Information Science and Arts, you’ll explore creative computing, digital media, science and technology conveyed through art, user experience, virtual and extended reality, interactive art including installations, and programming for imaginative, aesthetic or experiential purposes. Offered on main campus.
COMPARE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Regardless of which degree students pursue, all undergraduate majors in the College of Information Science have three goals (or student competencies) in addition to additional degree-specific program goals:
- Students will be able to perform the four fundamental tasks of research: design, data collection, analysis and presentation of results.
- Students will be able to effectively work with diverse groups and people.
- Students will be able to recognize and analyze ethical and policy concerns raised by new technologies and craft effective solutions for real-world cases.
Each College of Information Science degree requires 120 units to graduate and a minor or double major.
OUR UNDERGRADUATE MINORS
AI & SOCIETY
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Society minor examines the ethical, social and policy impacts of artificial intelligence without requiring coding. Open to students from all disciplines, the program explores issues such as bias, privacy, surveillance and the future of work, preparing students to engage responsibly with AI across industries and the public sector.
CYBER OPERATIONS
Collect and analyze cyber-based evidence through hands-on learning. As cybercrime rises and the demand for information security professionals grows, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a variety of fields.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN SOCIETY
The Emerging Technologies in Society minor examines digital identity, online communities, storytelling, innovation and technology culture through an interdisciplinary lens, making it a powerful complement to nearly any major.
eSPORTS
The eSports minor provides students an understanding of eSports industries, gaming communities and the social issues related to gaming for sport. Students will learn about recent gaming trends in society and related employment trajectories possible in eSports. This minor is available on campus and online.
GAME DESIGN
The Game Design minor provides students not only with a broad understanding of important design principles and human behavior in games, but also the implications of gamification in society, without the need for extensive knowledge in computer programming, although technical classes are available to students with appropriate prerequisites. This minor is available on campus and online.
GAME DEVELOPMENT
The Game Development minor provides students an introduction to programming, design and game development fundamentals. Students in this minor study and develop games both for entertainment and other applications and purposes. This minor is available on campus and online.
INFORMATION SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & THE ARTS
The Information Science, Technology & the Arts minor explores how information is created, organized, analyzed and transformed into knowledge, giving students practical skills that complement nearly any major.
LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE
In the Library and Information Science minor, students develop practical skills in curation, stewardship and information access while gaining a deeper understanding of how knowledge is preserved and connected to communities. This minor is offered on campus and online.
OUR UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES
Although undergraduate academic certificates are not professional certifications, they signal to employers that students have dedicated the time and energy necessary to build fluency with concepts explored in the certificates.
CYBER DEFENSE
This certificate prepares students to design secure network architectures, defend Linux and Windows systems, monitor networks, detect threats, respond to cyber incidents, and manage Zero Trust environments across on-premises and cloud systems through hands-on experience.
CYBER OPERATIONS
The Cyber Operations undergraduate certificate provides students a springboard to becoming a cybersecurity practitioner, academic or researcher. Students to advance the concepts and principles of cybersecurity across different disciplines, threats and technologies.
CYBERSECURITY
The Cybersecurity undergraduate certificate is designed to provide students in related fields with the opportunity to earn a certificate in the fast-growing and critical field of cybersecurity.
DATA SCIENCE & VISUALIZATION
The Data Science and Visualization certificate is designed for students who want to develop their skills and the confidence for tackling messy, real-world data problems using modern programming languages.
GAMES & SIMULATION
The Games and Simulation undergraduate certificate is for students who want to develop the skills necessary to create virtual interactive environments that span devices and platforms.
ARCHIVED CHECKLISTS & PLANS
Access degree, minor and certificate archived plans here:
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS
Graduate with honors from any of our undergraduate degrees and complete independent research with our renowned faculty. Learn more about being a Universrity of Arizona honors student:
Ready to shape the future of information?
Learn more about our undergraduate programs by contacting us at infosci-ugrad@arizona.edu or review the admissions process and begin your application now: