Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications, B.S. (Capital)

Plan Code: AIMCA_BS

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare students for careers in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence (AI).

Graduates of this program will have strong foundations in core technical skills and AI methodology knowledge including Mathematics for AI, Programming for AI, Knowledge Representation and Inference, AI Problem Solving, and Socially Responsible AI. Additional elective courses will allow students to gain advanced AI technical skills, introduce them to specialized areas within AI and related fields, and broaden their knowledge in chosen application focus areas. The program integrates strengths across a broad range of areas of AI and related disciplines, e.g. computer science, information science, human-computer interaction, data sciences, psychology and cognitive sciences, social sciences, public policy and law, and is a truly innovative and interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science program in AI. Students in their final program year will complete a two-semester capstone course designed to offer practical experience in applying AI to real-world problems or a two-semester research project aimed to offer undergraduate research experience in AI. Students will also gain soft skills necessary for professional success through experiential learning and active participation in real-world projects and team collaboration.

Entrance to Major

To be eligible for the Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications major, students must:

  • Have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better in each prior to enrolling in the degree program: MATH 140, CMPSC 131, CMPSC 132, (STAT 200 or DS 200), A-I 100.
  • Have achieved a minimum grade point average of 2.0 prior to and through the end of the semester during which the entrance to major is requested.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications, a minimum of 120 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Electives 14
Requirements for the Major 67

6 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses.

Requirements for the Major

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
A-I 100Artificial Intelligence: Automated Thinking to Augment Human Intellect Keystone/General Education Course3
A-I 341WResponsible Artificial Intelligence3
A-I 370Problem Formulation and Automated Problem Solving3
A-I 375Knowledge Representation and Inference3
CMPSC 131Programming and Computation I: Fundamentals3
CMPSC 132Programming and Computation II: Data Structures3
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 225Mathematical Foundations for Machine Learning4
STAT 401Experimental Methods3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Any First-Year Seminar1
CMPSC 360Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science3
or MATH 311W Concepts of Discrete Mathematics
DS 200Introduction to Data Sciences4
or STAT 200 Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Data Structures
Data Structures and Algorithms
Algorithmic Methods and Tools
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Applied Machine Learning in Data Science
Machine Learning and Algorithmic AI
Machine Learning for Data Analytics
Select 6 credits from the following:6
AI Capstone I: Project Design
and AI Capstone II: Project Implementation
Research Project
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 9 credits from the Technical Supporting Course list. At least 3 credits must be at the 400-level.9
Select 9 credits from the Application Supporting Course list. At least 3 credits must be at the 300- or 400-level. Up to 6 credits of ROTC.9

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.