Artificial Intelligence Concentration

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) now offer concentrations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the BA and BS in Computer Science degree programs, effective Fall 2026. Both concentrations are designed to provide a rigorous foundation in modern AI and machine learning, in response to well-documented academic trends and workforce needs.

The AI concentration in each major is focused around two foundation courses and two elective courses, each requiring 12 credits total:

  • 6 credits of foundation coursework (2 courses) in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
  • 6 credits of elective coursework (2 courses) chosen from curated lists for each concentration.

Concentrations will appear on a student’s transcript, but not on their diploma. Courses that count for the concentration can also count for any other major or minor requirement. More information is found on the department’s info page.

Declaring the AI Concentration

BSCS AI Concentration

Learning Outcomes

  • Master foundational AI/ML methods and theory.
  • Implement and evaluate models using modern software tools and best practices.
  • Assess applications and societal implications of AI in engineering contexts.
  • Communicate findings to technical and non‑technical audiences.

For the concentration in Artificial Intelligence, students are required to complete four courses (12 credits) as described below.

Required Courses

Students must complete the following two courses:

AI Techniques Elective (3 credits)

Students must complete one of the following:

AI Applications & Impacts Elective (3 credits)

Students must complete one of the following:

BACS AI Concentration

  • Connect AI methods to interdisciplinary contexts in the College of Arts & Sciences.
  • Critically evaluate applications and impacts of AI across domains.
  • Use data and algorithmic tools to address cross‑domain questions.
  • Communicate to broad audiences, integrating technical and societal perspectives.

For the concentration in Artificial Intelligence, students are required to complete four courses (12 credits) as described below. Each course also satisfies a major requirement for the BACS, so the concentration can be completed without taking courses beyond what is required to complete the major.

AI Concentration Core

Students must complete the following two courses, which also satisfy the CS Restricted Electives for the BACS major requirements:

AI Concentration Electives

Students must also complete two courses from the following pre-approved list:

Special Topics Courses

By College policy, the official list that’s published cannot contain special topics courses (new courses without a permanent course number) or graduate courses. But some of these courses are great electives that may count toward the AI Concentration Electives category, and they’re not on the list only because of procedural reasons. Special topics courses in CS that may count (after petition) are listed below; others from the BSCS list above may also be petitioned to count. For Integration Electives (i.e., courses in the College of Arts and Sciences but outside CS), you may need to first submit a petition for the course to count as an Integration Elective.

  • CS 4501: Law and AI
  • CS 4501: Risks and Benefits of Generative AI and LLMs
  • CS 4501: AI-Powered Cybersecurity
  • CS 4501: LLMs and Software Engineering

To petition one of these courses to count, please fill out the form below.

BACS AI Concentration Elective Petition Form

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