Global Digital Infrastructure

About the Global Digital Infrastructure Minor

The University of California, Berkeley Center for New Media’s Minor in Global Digital Infrastructure is the first university program to introduce students to the technical, economic, legal, environmental, and social dimensions of the global Internet’s infrastructure, including both data centers and subsea telecommunications cables. All classes in the minor program are project-based and guest lectures facilitate conversations between students from many disciplines and backgrounds. No prior experience in digital infrastructure, computer science, or engineering is needed, and students from all fields–from sciences to liberal arts–are welcome to participate. There are no prerequisites for any of the courses.

Created in partnership with industry organizations Infrastructure Masons (“iMasons”) and the SubOptic Foundation, the minor offers a broad overview of digital infrastructure’s many components as well as cutting-edge knowledge from experts across the sector. The curriculum is also supported by key industry partnerships with Data Center Dynamics, Telegeography, and the National Data Centre Academy, which ensures the content is in alignment with current digital infrastructure industry practices.

How do I declare the minor and when should I declare it?

All UC Berkeley students interested in pursuing the minor must submit a Declaration of Minor/Certificate Form by September 30. Minor approvals occur once per year during October-November. Once this form is received, the minor advisor will officially declare the minor on your behalf. The form is available on the Global Digital Infrastructure website.

Students interested in pursuing the GDI minor are encouraged to take all courses prior to declaring the minor. Please consult with the minor advisor, Federica Tortorella (federica.tortorella@berkeley.edu), if you have any questions.

Note on Exception in Declaration for Seniors:

If you are a graduating senior you can declare your minor prior to the first day of classes in the semester you are graduating. For example, if you are graduating with an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) of Summer 2030, then you must declare your minor prior to the first day of classes of Summer 2030 for it to be processed in a timely matter.