The CSE department is proposing a number of new educational programs for students seeking to maximize their degree time, expand skills outside of a traditional graduate degree program, or combine those options over time to achieve graduate study in computing, IT, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and more! We hope to begin offering new programs in fall 2023, following approvals from various committees in SECS and OU.

Undergraduate Programs

New options for undergraduate students include 4+1 programs, allowing high-achieving students an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time than would be required if the two degrees were done independently.  It is designed for students who are high academic achievers and creates an integrated learning experience along several knowledge paths.  The BS/MS Program students will be able to earn their master’s degree by completing no more than 12 credits of graduate courses (4 courses from the list of approved courses) beyond the undergraduate CS major requirements. Students accepted for the BS/MS Program must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2.  Students may apply to the BS/MS Program and be offered deferred admission to the graduate program during their junior year.

Options include any combination of BS and MS degrees offered by the CSE department.

New BS programs in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Software Engineering

As the computing disciplines expand and technology advances, training in specialized fields is becoming in demand at the undergraduate level. CSE hopes in the near future to offer the BS in Artificial Intelligence, BS in Data Science, and BS in Software Engineering to our lineup of bachelor’s degree options. These programs will continue to offer high quality training in computing, with specialization in specific fields that meet the current demands from industry employers. The degree programs will also prepare students for more advanced study and research in graduate programs.

Graduate Programs

In addition to undergraduate progams, CSE faculty are creating MS level programs in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Last year, CSE conducted both student surveys to assess interest, and industry surveys to assess need. The proposed program in AI is designed to give students a comprehensive framework for artificial intelligence with specialization in one of nine concentration areas: (1) Edge AI and IoT, (2) Embedded AI, (3) Human-Centered AI, Augmented/Virtual Reality and Robotics, (4) Machine Learning, (5) Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, (6) Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps), (7) AI for Cyber Security and Trustworthy AI, (8) Augmented/Virtual Reality and (9) Ethics of AI. Students will engage in an extensive core intended to develop depth in all the core concepts that build a foundation for artificial intelligence theory and practice. Also, they will be given the opportunity to build on the core knowledge of AI by taking a variety of elective courses selected from colleges throughout campus to explore key contextual areas or more complex technical AI applications. Program graduates will be well positioned to attain research and development positions in this rapidly growing field or to progress into Ph.D. degrees in related fields.

Stackable Certificates

Finally, the department has proposed a series of stackable certificates in 10 different topic areas of Artificial Intelligence, designed for students who either want to increase specific skills to enhance another degree program, or for students seeking to combine certificates towards a specialized MS degree.

Once the programs are approved, the AI stackable certificates will be offered on the following topics:

  • Foundations of Computer Science
  • Machine Learning
  • Edge AI & IoT
  • Embedded AI
  • Machine Vision & Robotics
  • Smart Manufacturing & Industry 4.0
  • AI for IT Operations (AIOps)
  • AI for Cybersecurity & Trustworthy AI
  • Augmented & Virtual Reality
  • Ethics of AI

Certificates require 2 foundation courses and one elective course (for 12 credits total). Certificates can be stacked together to form an MS in AI.