A new minor in Artificial Intelligence Science and Engineering is designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in one of today’s most transformative fields. The minor will launch in the Fall 2026 semester.
New technologies such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are changing paradigms. The entire technology industry is pivoting toward the embrace of artificial intelligence. Coding agents are changing the way software is developed. Retrieval-augmented generation is changing the way companies manage data, and new systems promise further disruption. The new minor is designed to prepare students to thrive in this environment—providing them with skills highly sought after by employers in the age of AI.
The 18-credit program combines core computing principles with specialized AI coursework, preparing graduates to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. It can be easily paired with other STEM majors.
The minor requires completion of 18 credits divided into two components:
Computing Foundations (9 credits): Students build essential technical skills through coursework focused on computational disciplines, establishing the groundwork necessary for advanced AI study and providing the programming and mathematical basis to understand advanced concepts such as language models and supervised machine learning.
AI Fundamentals and Programming (9 credits): These courses delve into artificial intelligence concepts, methodologies, and applications, enabling students to develop expertise in this cutting-edge field. Courses include a strong focus on machine learning, using generative AI systems to create software, and understanding large language models for various applications such as retrieval-augmented generation.
This minor is offered through the College of Engineering and Computer Science and is open to all Syracuse University undergraduate students. It is designed for students seeking to enhance their primary degree with AI competencies.
Graduates of the program will possess key knowledge in artificial intelligence, positioning them competitively for careers in technology, research, data science, and emerging AI-driven industries. As organizations across sectors increasingly integrate AI into their operations, this minor provides students with highly sought-after qualifications.
For more information about admission requirements and course offerings, students should contact their academic advisor or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Priyantha Kumarawadu at spkumara@syr.edu.