CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) – The University of Northern Iowa is expanding its education in artificial intelligence with two new bachelor’s degree programs and additional certifications.
Two undergraduate majors in the Wilson College of Business and the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences will provide training on AI tools and how they work, preparing students for a variety of career fields, according to a news release from Cedar Falls University.
In the College of Business’ Artificial Intelligence major, faculty “will focus on helping students understand how AI is actually used within organizations—not just the technology itself, but how it supports strategy, operations, and problem-solving,” Atul Mitra, UNI’s head of administration, said in a release.
Students will build on the “disciplines” of business analytics and information systems, which will also include education in ethics, governance and accountability, and learn how technologies such as machine learning and predictive analytics combine with business systems to “create value,” the release states.
“This program reflects our commitment to continually evolve our curriculum as business changes,” Mitra said in the release. “Our students want to graduate career-ready, and that means understanding how emerging technologies like AI can help solve real-world business problems.”
Graduates of the program can use the education they receive at UNI to enter industries such as finance, insurance, and manufacturing, and find jobs as business intelligence analysts, AI architects, product managers, and data scientists, among others, according to the release.
The College of Business will also offer a new certification in AI Applications for Business that focuses on “practical applications of AI,” according to the release.
The new major in Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence will delve deeper into the theory behind machine learning, deep learning and data-driven technologies, the release states. Students study topics such as calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, statistics, and computer programming, in addition to machine learning and deep learning mathematics.
For students seeking further education, the program prepares students for “graduate study in mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, or related fields,” the release states. Students are prepared to enter industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, business, and government.
“Our goal is to produce graduates who stand out in the job market,” UNI Mathematics Department Chair Douglas Mpasiri said in the release. “Mathematically trained AI professionals can diagnose model failures, understand uncertainties and risks, and adapt to new technologies as the field evolves. That adaptability is what employers are looking for and what UNI can offer our students.”
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