AI for All Education and Training

This initiative aims to generate interest, broaden the participation of underrepresented groups, diversify education pathways, foster multidisciplinary research, and advance careers in AI. Building upon the A&M-SA’s AI infrastructure, this initiative can be strategically accomplished by developing AI curricula, educating students, and providing AI training for faculty, researchers, and staff. Four population groups are targeted:

1. All computing majors at both Undergraduate and Graduate levels at A&M-SA;
2. All non-computing majors at A&M-SA;
3. Faculty members, researchers, and staff at A&M-SA who wish to integrate AI into their current or future research but don’t know how to start; and
4. Faculty members of local Alamo CCs and HSs who want to integrate AI  knowledge, skills, and tools into their classrooms and work or professional development. 

AI Certificates for All Computing Majors at A&M-SA

Effective Fall 2024, to earn an AI Certificate, students are required to complete three courses for learning concepts of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & Deep Learning, and Big Data Systems/Analytics. With this context, three new courses are proposed: CSCI 4314 Big Data Systems (UG), CSCI 4341 Machine Learning (UG), and CSCI 5341 Machine Learning and Deep Learning (G). Their syllabi are enclosed in this document.

1. Undergraduate AI Certificate with the following required courses
   • CSCI 4313 Artificial Intelligence
   • CSCI 4314 Big Data Systems
   • CSCI 4341 Machine Learning

2. Graduate AI Certificate with the following required courses
   • CSCI 5313 Artificial Intelligence
   • CSCI 5315 Big Data Analytics
   • CSCI 5341 Machine Learning and Deep Learning

AI Minor for All Non-Computing Majors at A&M-SA

The AI Minor is designed to introduce non-computing UG majors at A&M-SA with societal and practical skills associated with AI. To earn an AI minor, students need to complete six courses: four required and two electives. "Programming Fundamentals I" covers basic programming in Python, which covers a solid foundation in programming principles and problem-solving techniques. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students will gain practical experience in writing, debugging, and testing Python code. "Python Programming for AI and Data Analytics" will be a prerequisite of other junior-senior level courses in the list. The course focuses on using AI/Data Science related to Python libraries (e.g., Matplotlib, NumPy, SciPy, sci-kit learn, Panda, HDF5, OpenCV, etc.,). Students will be prepared to take upper-level courses with improved programming skills, and increased familiarity with data manipulation and visualization tools. "Cloud & Big Data Security" introduces concepts of cloud computing, its reference model, and the utilization of big data applications in the context of security.

AI Training Workshop for Faculty. Researchers, Educators, Staff, and MS Students

The AI Training Workshop will offer faculty, researchers, educators, and staff unique opportunities to incorporate AI technologies, tools, and principles into their research, teaching practices, and professional development. This aims to promote collaborative multidisciplinary research in diverse fields including but not limited to community health, biology, psychology, sociology, computer science, cyber security, criminology, data science, mathematics, economics, finance, education, and more.