Artificial Intelligence, MS

Hong Lin, PhD, MSAI Director
msai@uhd.edu

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program (MSAI) combines theoretical AI knowledge with hands-on training in programming (Python) and open-source libraries such as TensorFlow. In this 30-credit hour program, students complete 18 credit hours of foundational coursework covering topics in knowledge representation and reasoning, machine learning, deep learning, and cognitive systems. Additionally, students take three interdisciplinary application courses (9 credit hours) such as computer vision, robotics, engineering of AI systems, AI in biomedical, and AI in business intelligence.

In the final semester (3 credit hours), students may engage in research or real-world applications by collaborating with UHD faculty, other researchers and MSAI students, or through internships with regional businesses, industries, and government agencies.

Students with minimal or no background in programming will have to take a leveling course on Python before completing the 30 hours for the program. Students with minimal or no background in linear algebra and probability will have to take a math leveling course before completing the 30 hours for the program.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program will be able to:

• Explore, prepare, and clean data.
• Transfer data into machine-learning representations of unsupervised, supervised, or reinforcement learning.
• Design and develop intelligent agents and expert systems that receive percepts from the environment and perform actions.
• Communicate and summarize AI solutions in written, oral, and visual form.

Admissions Criteria

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program seeks motivated students of all academic backgrounds who can successfully meet the demands of a rigorous graduate AI program.  

Admissions Materials

• A completed SLATE application (Click on Apply Now below).
• ​Submit (1,000 words or less) a personal statement that addresses why you want to pursue a master’s in artificial intelligence​.
• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited institution.
• Official University transcript(s) from which the applicant earned a Bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree (if applicable) indicating:
  • the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework and evidence of Bachelor’s degree awarded and the GPA.
  • as admission to the degree program is competitive, candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be preferred.
• Students with an international transcript must submit their transcripts to UHD already evaluated for U.S. equivalency. Here is a list of approved agencies​. If residential applicants are experiencing any delays in submitting their official transcript, we will currently accept unofficial transcripts indicating a Bachelor’s degree conferred as part of the completion of the application.
• Complete the following foundation courses (or the equivalent) prior to entering the master program:
  • CS 5302 Programming Foundations (Python)
  • MATH 5300 Mathematics Foundations (linear algebra, and probability distributions) 
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores in the 50^th percentile or higher for the verbal and quantitative reasoning categories.
  • The GRE may be waived if the applicant has a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate and/or graduate coursework.
• Resume documenting any work experience that emphasizes personal and professional accomplishments.
• Two letters of recommendation or two recommendation forms​ from individuals well-acquainted with your work and who are able to address your academic potential, for example, work supervisors and professors. Fill out the MSAI Application Reference Form.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if you are a graduate of a university where English is not the primary language of instruction (preferred TOEFL scores are: an Internet-based score of 81, a paper-based score of 553 or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher). As a waiver to these English Proficiency Exams, the College of Sciences & Technology Graduate Studies office will accept as proof of English proficiency, full-time employment history of at least 3 years in a country where English is the primary language spoken, such as the US, UK, Canada, etc. Please submit the English Proficiency Waiver Form as part of your application documents to the Graduate Admissions office. ​

Waiver for the Foundation courses is available for those who have completed courses in advanced Python (e.g., CS 1311 and CS 2311 at UHD), linear algebra (e.g., MATH 2307 or MATH 2422 at UHD), and probability (e.g., MATH 3302 at UHD) or their equivalent with a grade of B or better. Students who do not meet this requirement may be asked to complete the following foundation courses with the grade B or better as post-baccalaureate students prior to entering the master program:​

1.  CS 5302 - Python for Data Analytics
2. MATH 5300 - Survey of Undergraduate Mathematics​

Admissions Decision process

Candidates will be evaluated based on the materials submitted and the criteria established by the program.  Final admission decisions will be communicated via email by the Program Director or the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies. 

Applicants may be considered for conditional admission in cases in which candidate materials do not meet established program criteria.  Conditions of admission will be included in the decision letter.

For questions, please contact the Assistant Director at msai@uhd.edu.

Admissions Appeals

Any applicant looking to appeal their admission decision can do so by completing the CST Graduate Admissions Appeal Form.