Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Visit Artificial Intelligence's Website   →

Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Certificates / Endorsements

Computation Biology, Information Assurance (Cyber Security)

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Fast-Growing Field: AI is expanding rapidly across healthcare, finance, transportation, and more.

02

Wide Career Flexibility: AI skills transfer across industries and job roles.

03

Creative and Analytical: Combines coding, math, and problem-solving in innovative ways.

04

Shape the Future: Help create systems that can learn, predict, and make decisions.

05

High Earning Potential: Specialized AI skills are in strong demand and well compensated.

Core
Skills

  • Programming
  • Machine learning and deep learning
  • AI frameworks and processing
  • Prompt engineering
  • Critical thinking and problem solving

Sample
Jobs

  • Artificial Intelligence Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Automation Engineer
  • Computer Vision Engineer

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Technology and Software
  • Healthcare and Medical Technology
  • Robotics and Automation
  • Automotive and Transportation
  • Manufacturing and Industry

Brag
Points

  • As an R1 institution, MSU offers undergraduate research opportunities that let you work alongside faculty on advanced technology projects, building experience that stands out to employers and graduate schools.
  • As an MSU student, you are part of a collaborative environment with faculty mentors, student organizations, and peer support, helping you grow academically, professionally, and personally.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Thrive in Five

Academically talented juniors may apply for the Thrive in Five program, which allows you, as an undergraduate, to take classes at the graduate level for dual credit in both your undergraduate program and for graduate credit. A maximum of nine credit hours may be applied. 

Spotlight

Co-ops and Internships

Co-ops and internships allow you to alternate semesters of paid, full-time work with academic study, giving you extended, hands-on experience before you graduate. You’ll apply what you learn in the classroom to real engineering projects, build professional skills, and often graduate with a stronger resume, industry connections, and a clearer sense of your career goals.

Artificial Intelligence

2025-2026 Major Map

Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Building Your Foundation

You’ll begin by building a strong foundation in math and programming—the core skills behind artificial intelligence. Early courses such as CSE 1284: Introduction To Computer Programming, CSE 1384: Intermediate Computer Programming, MA 1713: Calculus I, and MA 1723: Calculus II help you develop problem-solving and coding skills. You’ll also complete science requirements, including CH 1213/1211: Chemistry I And Lab and BIO 1144: Biology II, while electives allow you to explore additional interests.

2nd Year

Expanding Your Knowledge

You’ll build on your foundation with advanced programming, data handling, and mathematical modeling. Courses such as CSE 2383: Data Structures, CSE 2213: Methods And Tools, MA 3113: Linear Algebra, and IE 4613: Engineering Statistics strengthen your analytical skills. In your fourth semester, you’ll take CSE 3683: AI Fundamentals, your first focused course in artificial intelligence.

3rd Year

Craft Your Expertise

Machine learning becomes a major focus as you take CSE 4693: Introduction To Machine Learning and CSE 4683: Machine Learning And Soft Computing. You’ll complete remaining math requirements and begin selecting AI electives, including CSE 4633: Artificial Intelligence and CSE 4653: Cognitive Science, building depth in intelligent systems and human-centered computing.

4th Year

Knowledge Meets Experience

By your final year, you’ll integrate AI, math, and cognitive science into advanced coursework such as CSE 4633: Human And Computer Interaction, PSY 4753: Applied Cognitive Psychology, and PSY 4713: Language And Thought. You’ll complete CSE 3613 and CSE 3623: Capstone Design I And II, graduating prepared for careers in artificial intelligence or continued study in graduate school.

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

The Journey Begins

You’ll get early exposure to building and experimentation by joining organizations such as the AI Club and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Visiting labs like the Social, Therapeutic and Robotic Systems Lab (STaRS) and Predictive Analytics and Technology Integration (PATENT) helps you become comfortable with robotics and machine learning, whether you’re working on projects or exploring what’s possible.

2nd Year

Additional Experience

You’ll deepen your experience by joining competition teams such as ACM or cybersecurity teams and begin exploring research opportunities in labs focused on virtual reality, robotics, or machine learning. Taking CSE 3683: AI Fundamentals gives you an early look at the field and helps you decide how you want to specialize.

3rd Year

Lead

You’ll step into leadership roles on teams or in research labs while completing advanced systems and AI coursework. Lab-intensive classes and machine learning projects help you connect theory to practice.

4th Year

Master and Launch

You’ll mentor newer students, serve as a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Ambassador if interested, and complete your senior capstone. By graduation, you’ll have experience across multiple labs and a portfolio of projects that clearly demonstrate your skills to employers or graduate programs.

Connect with Community

1st Year

Get Involved

This is a great time to start finding your people. Try out student organizations, drop by guest speaker events, and get involved with K–12 outreach or STEM tutoring if that interests you. These early experiences help you feel connected and see how your interests fit into the larger community.

2nd Year

Step Into Leadership

As you get more comfortable, you may find yourself taking on small leadership roles in student organizations or helping with competitions and outreach events like workshops or campus tours. It’s a natural way to build confidence and teamwork skills while giving back.

3rd Year

Mentor and Inspire

By your third year, you’re ready to make meaningful connections. This is a great time to attend professional conferences, meet alumni and recruiters on campus, and support younger students as they find their footing in the program.

4th Year

Professional Pathways

In your final year, you can stay connected by joining professional organizations and strengthening relationships through the CSE advisory board and industry partners. These connections often continue well beyond graduation.

Explore the World

1st Year

Discover

Start by talking with your advisor about study abroad options and attending events like International Fiesta to explore global opportunities. If international experiences interest you, you might also begin thinking about the global engineering leadership minor.

2nd Year

Plan and Explore

This is the year to dig a little deeper. Attend the Study Abroad Fair, meet with the Bagley College of Engineering’s Director of International Programs, and explore faculty-led trips or exchange programs that fit your goals.

3rd Year

Experience and Lead

If the timing is right, you may choose to study abroad or participate in an exchange program. You could also continue working toward the global engineering leadership minor or serve as a study abroad or CSE Ambassador to help others explore global opportunities.

4th Year

Showcase and Expand

As you wrap up, you can highlight your global experiences in interviews and on LinkedIn, complete any remaining minor requirements, and connect with computing professionals around the world.

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Chart Your Course

Your path to career readiness starts early. You’ll attend Career Expos and Career Center workshops to explore opportunities for artificial intelligence graduates. You’ll begin building your resume and work with your advisor and the Career Center to explore undergraduate research or summer internships.

2nd Year

Gain Real Experience

This is a good time to create a Connections account through the Career Center to explore internships and co-ops. Keep attending Career Expos, practice your interview skills, and take advantage of Co-op and Internship Days to meet employers.

3rd Year

Target Your Path

With a clearer sense of your goals, you can attend recruiting events with an updated resume, build your LinkedIn presence, and research employers or graduate programs. You may also explore options like Thrive in Five and align electives or research with what interests you most.

4th Year

Make Your Move

In your final year, you’ll start applying for jobs or graduate programs with support from the Career Center. As you strengthen your professional network and reflect on your internships and projects, you’ll be ready to take the next step into the workforce or graduate study.

Learn More

CurriculumApply NowBagley College of EngineeringDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering