The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in Penn State’s College of Engineering announced an artificial intelligence engineering (AIE) degree option opening this fall.

As one of the first artificial intelligence-centered programs in the country, the course content will focus on foundations and applications of AI, hardware, and software, as stated in a release from the college.

In the release, Tom La Porta, the director of the School of EECS, explained that the degree differs from other AI programs due to the combination of computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering.

“This degree covers a much wider range and deeper set of topics than most AI degrees, ranging from hardware, through algorithms to applications and implementation,” he stated.

Along with the undergraduate degree option, a minor in AIE is also available for students who wish to incorporate it into their chosen field of study. According to the college, the minor provides scholars with AI techniques that can be particularly useful for computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering majors.

Penn State Hartz Family Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Mehrdad Mahdavi was one of the faculty members who helped create the degree from scratch, according to the release.

“Our AIE degree is not just learning a bunch of tools and applying it. Students will apply their knowledge and experience to address applications of AI to complex problems. Additionally, they will gain a deeper understanding of the issues required to develop responsible AI that benefits individuals, organizations, and society,” Mahdavi said.

Mahdavi explained that the AIE program is structured in three levels: it begins with AI foundations, then builds on that knowledge through the second level, and culminates at the top layer filled with electives covering different disciplines.

To learn more about the AIE major or minor, folks can contact Mahdavi at [email protected] or associate department head Jack Sampson at [email protected].