Interdisciplinary Computing

Use computing to solve the problems you're most passionate about.

The future belongs to people who can connect computing with deep expertise in another field. That’s why the College of Science and Engineering has joined forces with the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Design to create a distinctive new set of interdisciplinary computing degrees. Far more than a computer science major with a handful of electives, each program combines a strong computing foundation with a carefully designed course of study in another discipline, preparing graduates to solve complex problems that no single field can address alone.

Whether you want to improve healthcare, understand human behavior, design smarter technology, advance artificial intelligence, build better cities, or protect the environment, the Interdisciplinary Computing major will prepare you to develop computational solutions and make an impact across fields.

Choose Your Plan

Every student completes a shared computing foundation before specializing in an interdisciplinary pathway.

Current pathways include:

Within each pathway, you'll combine coursework from both disciplines and complete projects that bring them together. Electives allow you to explore areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, databases, and data science while tailoring your degree to your interests.

What Is Interdisciplinary Computing?

Interdisciplinary Computing carefully curates courses that offer the technical foundations of computer science with in-depth study in another field. It's a degree in Computer Science + X (the field of study you choose).

Rather than choosing between computing and another passion, you'll study both with content specifically tailored for the intersection of where computer science meets your area of interest. You'll learn computational thinking, programming, software development, and algorithms, while developing expertise in a complementary discipline such as psychology, design, geography, biomedical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or linguistics.

The result is a degree that prepares you to solve complex, data-intensive problems by bringing together technical expertise and real-world understanding.

Why Choose Interdisciplinary Computing?

Computer Science focuses on designing and advancing computing technologies, whereas Interdisciplinary Computing focuses on applying computing to solve problems in another field.

If you know you want computing to be part of your future but you also want to pursue another passion, Interdisciplinary Computing gives you the opportunity to develop expertise in both.

You'll graduate with:

  • A strong foundation in computer science.
  • Deep knowledge in another discipline.
  • Experience applying computing to real-world challenges.
  • Project-based learning that connects both fields.
  • The flexibility to tailor your degree around your interests and career goals.

What You'll Learn

Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Computing program develop the ability to:

  • Design and develop software and computational solutions.
  • Analyze and interpret complex data.
  • Apply artificial intelligence and emerging technologies responsibly.
  • Solve problems using computational thinking.
  • Work across technical and non-technical disciplines.
  • Design solutions that consider both technology and human needs.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Solve Problems That Matter

Interdisciplinary Computing prepares you to use technology to improve the world around you.

Depending on your pathway, you might:

  • Apply artificial intelligence to improve healthcare.
  • Design technologies that are more intuitive and accessible.
  • Use data to better understand human behavior.
  • Develop smarter transportation and infrastructure systems.
  • Analyze geographic data to address environmental challenges.
  • Create language technologies that improve communication.

Your education won't just teach you how computing works—it will prepare you to use computing where it matters most.

Learn by Doing

Learning extends beyond the classroom.

Through project-based coursework, you'll work on authentic challenges that combine computing with your chosen field. You'll collaborate with faculty across multiple colleges and gain experience solving the kinds of interdisciplinary problems you'll encounter in industry, research, and graduate school.

What Can You Do with an Interdisciplinary Computing Degree?

Graduates are prepared for careers wherever computing intersects with another field. Career paths may include:

  • Data Scientist
  • Software Developer
  • User Experience (UX) Researcher or Designer
  • Human-Computer Interaction Specialist
  • Healthcare Technology Professional
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
  • Artificial Intelligence Engineer
  • Product Manager
  • Research Scientist
  • Technology Consultant

See a list of careers through our six available subplans.

The degree also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in computer science or your interdisciplinary field.

Interested in Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every discipline, and Interdisciplinary Computing is designed to help you apply AI in the context of your chosen field.

Students can further deepen their knowledge through the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Minor, which includes coursework in topics such as:

  • Machine Learning
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Computer Vision
  • Robotics
  • Data Mining
  • Responsible AI and Ethics
     

Whether you want to use AI in healthcare, design, engineering, business, or the social sciences, the combination of Interdisciplinary Computing and the AI & ML Minor provides powerful preparation for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Interdisciplinary Computing the same as Computer Science? 
No. Both degrees share a strong foundation in computing, but Interdisciplinary Computing is designed for students who want to combine computer science with another field of expertise. It's a Computer Science degree + X (the field of study you choose).

Are these combined degree programs the same as earning a CS Minor?
Students in the Interdisciplinary Computing degree program take substantially more computer science curriculum than a typical student minoring in CS. A CS minor requires five 3- or 4-credit CS courses, while for these programs, students will take six foundational CS courses plus ~2-3 additional higher-level courses aligned with the applied focus of interest.

Are combined degree programs the same as a double major?
Double majors at the UofM are generally very difficult to complete in four years without students transferring in substantial credits and/or taking on larger than normal course loads per semester. The Interdisciplinary Computing subplans are designed explicitly to be completed within four years. Also, each subplan consists of a unique set of courses that blend the two disciplines together at the intersection of where they meet, which provides students with a more integrated education than a double-major experience.

Can I study artificial intelligence?
Yes. Depending on your pathway and electives, you can explore areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, databases, and data science. Students can further deepen their knowledge by adding the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Minor.

Can I customize the degree?
Yes. Students choose an interdisciplinary pathway and have flexibility through electives and project-based learning to tailor the program to their interests.

What careers does this degree prepare me for?
Graduates pursue careers in technology, healthcare, engineering, design, government, research, consulting, and many other industries where computing and domain expertise intersect.

Is this degree good preparation for graduate school?
Absolutely. The program prepares students for graduate study in computer science as well as in their interdisciplinary field.

Related links

Four students sitting and standing around a table with two computers.

Is Interdisciplinary Computing right for you?

This major may be a great fit if you:

  • Enjoy solving problems with technology.
  • Want to combine computing with another passion.
  • Like collaborating across disciplines.
  • Are curious about artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
  • Want to make an impact in fields like healthcare, design, engineering, education, or the social sciences.

If you see computing not as an end in itself, but as a tool to solve meaningful problems, Interdisciplinary Computing could be the perfect major for you.

Why study Interdisciplinary Computing at the University of Minnesota?

The University of Minnesota is uniquely positioned to offer an interdisciplinary computing degree.

By bringing together the strengths of the College of Science and Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Design, the program reflects how innovation happens in the real world through collaboration across disciplines.

You'll learn from faculty who are advancing research in computing and its applications, participate in hands-on, project-based learning, and study in the heart of the Twin Cities, one of the nation's leading hubs for technology, healthcare, engineering, and innovation.

Interested in artificial intelligence? 

Students pursuing Interdisciplinary Computing can further expand their expertise by adding the University of Minnesota's Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Minor.

The minor provides deeper study in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and responsible AI, allowing students to pair advanced AI knowledge with the interdisciplinary focus of their major. 

The AI/ML minor is feasible to complete concurrently with all Interdisciplinary Computing degrees and will provide students with a strong foundation in AI-based methods and applications.