Smart Cities
Certificate in the Undergraduate College
With the development of information and computer technologies, wearable devices, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and other innovations, cities and communities are getting smarter.
We see new technologies deployed in our cities in numerous ways, from the smart grid for energy to autonomous vehicles, among many other applications. So what is a “smart city”? How can these technologies improve how cities deliver services and enhance the quality of life for all residents? And how can we ensure that these technologies are employed in ethical and socially helpful ways? The Smart Cities Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) certificate will help you answer these questions and equip you with skills and applied learning to advance the development of smart city technologies, and prepare you for smart cities-related careers in public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Declaration Requirements
ShowDegree-seeking undergraduates in good academic standing at The University of Texas at Austin are eligible to apply to the BDPs. Students must be in at least the second semester of their freshman year to be eligible to apply. Students must plan to be enrolled at UT as a degree-seeking undergraduate for at least two semesters after the semester in which they apply to the BDP. The BDPs are open to undergraduate students from every college and school at UT. However, because there is significant overlap in program focus and coursework, some majors and BDP certificates may not be combined. View eligibility information for more details.
How to Declare
ShowApplications for the Bridging Disciplines Programs are accepted twice a year, during the fall and spring semesters. Learn additional information and how to apply to the BDPs. Interested students can attend an information session, which are offered throughout the semester.
Required Courses
ShowWith 18 credit hours of coursework and Connecting Experiences, students may earn a BDP certificate in Smart Cities. View a complete list of courses and requirements.
Personality
ShowStudents in the Smart Cities BDP form a community with shared interests in the effects of technology in urban areas, including the practical implementation challenges and ethical issues of these innovations. Students from a variety of majors may be interested in this certificate, including but not limited to Engineering, Government, History, Journalism, and Sociology.
Skills
ShowAfter completing 19 credit hours consisting of coursework, as well as research and/or internship experiences, students earn a certificate that will be recognized on their transcript, demonstrating a secondary area of specialization that complements their major. By pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate, students in the BDPs learn to become more flexible, versatile thinkers, better prepared for a professional world that values innovation and collaboration. Students in the BDPs gain access to unique research and internship experiences at UT and around the world, giving them hands-on experience applying what they have learned in the classroom.
