Data Science

Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Degree

High-tech tools. Human-driven solutions.

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the realm of science fiction to become a driving force of global innovation. At Michigan Tech, we don’t just use AI; we build it from scratch. Our Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is a rigorous, technical degree centered on machine learning and deep learning, designed for those who want to lead the next digital transformation.

At other universities, you might learn to use AI as a shortcut. At Michigan Tech, you’ll learn to direct its power as a complex instrument of innovation. Like a skillful musician on a violin or an engineer using a scanning electron microscope, an AI instrumentalist trained at Michigan Tech understands that proficiency requires precise knowledge, plenty of practice, and commitment. At Tech, there's no "easy button." We equip you with the deep technical oversight to ensure the results are accurate, ethical, and sustainable.

Tomorrow needs graduates who can design and deploy responsible AI systems. Whether you are interested in self-driving cars, advanced healthcare diagnostics, or national security, this program gives you the tools to turn code into intelligence.

What Will I Study?

Your curriculum is built on a powerhouse foundation of computer science, data science, and mathematics. You’ll move from first-year subjects like introductory programming to advanced topics like neural networks and cloud computing.

You won't just be working in a lab, either. As part of your degree, you'll consider AI's human impact. Every AI student explores the social and ethical considerations of their work, ensuring that as you build the future, you do so with an eye on equity, governance, and real-world impact.

  • AI Core: Dive into machine learning, deep learning, and algorithm design.
  • Hands-on Tools: Gain experience with natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
  • Capstone Project: Tackle a real-world problem using AI methods in a collaborative, project-based setting.

Focus Areas

Tailor your degree to your specific career goals with a 15-credit technical focus area. Many of these options allow you to earn an additional minor along the way.

  • Theoretical: For those who want to push the mathematical boundaries of what AI can do.
  • Software Engineering: Learn to build, deploy, and maintain software products driven by machine-learned models.
  • Data Center: Master the hardware and systems that power hyper-scale computing.
  • Cybersecurity: Focus on using AI to protect networks and identify vulnerabilities.
  • Business: Use AI to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and business intelligence.
  • Human-Computer Interaction: Study how humans interact with intelligent systems, including robotics and user interface design.
94.6%record-high career placement rate for Michigan Tech graduates (MTU Career Outcome Survey, 2025)
No. 3Best Public College in the US for Salary Impact (The Wall Street Journal)
NSA DesignatedNational Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Tomorrow Needs Careers in AI

Tomorrow needs a new kind of professional—the AI instrumentalist. In a world being reshaped by digital transformation, Michigan Tech isn’t just keeping pace. We’re setting the tempo. As an R1 research institution, we provide a direct pipeline to the industries that power the global economy. Ranked No. 2 in the nation for internships among public universities, our students don't just study AI in a vacuum; they master their instruments in real-world settings alongside industry leaders before they ever cross the stage at graduation. This hands-on, action-based learning ensures our graduates enter the workforce with the grit and technical depth required to navigate a shifting landscape with absolute confidence.

Earning an AI degree from Michigan Tech is one of the safest financial bets a student can make in a disruptive market. A Tech degree does more than just open doors—it significantly boosts your earning potential from day one. With a median early-career salary of $82,000 and a record-high 94.6% job placement rate, we ensure our Huskies are ready to innovate, ready to solve problems, and ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

Career Opportunities Are Endless

Step onto the leading edge of a global industrial evolution. Our graduates jump-start their careers by transitioning immediately into high-impact roles such as machine learning engineer, AI systems architect, data scientist, and robotics software developer.

From day one, you will perform sophisticated work like designing neural networks, training deep learning models, and building the autonomous systems that power healthcare diagnostics, national security, and smart manufacturing. Advance fast here, on the campus of a research-focused institution where professors care about your professional growth. Develop AI expertise through hands-on research and elite internships that provide a direct pipeline to the world’s top tech and industrial firms.

By mastering both the high-level technical theory and the critical ethical oversight required for responsible innovation, you’ll possess the "AI capital" that distinguishes a leader from a user, allowing you to move quickly into senior-level roles and shape the future of the field.

Explore Career Opportunities for AI

  • Autonomous Systems Engineer: Design the "brains" behind self-driving cars, drones, and the Mars rover, using real-time sensor fusion to navigate unpredictable environments.
  • Machine Learning Researcher: Push the boundaries of human knowledge by developing novel algorithms that enable computers to learn and solve complex problems without explicit programming.
  • AI Ethics and Policy Analyst: Ensure the "new electricity" is used responsibly by identifying algorithmic bias and shaping the legal frameworks that govern how AI impacts society.
  • Computer Vision Specialist: Train machines to "see" and interpret the world, enabling everything from high-tech medical imaging that detects disease to facial recognition systems for national security.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer: Teach computers to understand, translate, and generate human language, powering the next generation of virtual assistants and sophisticated translation tools.
  • AI Sustainability Consultant: Use predictive modeling to optimize renewable energy grids and reduce the massive carbon footprint of hyper-scale data centers.
  • Robotics Coordinator: Oversee the integration of AI-powered robots in advanced manufacturing and "smart" factories, bridging the gap between digital intelligence and physical action.
  • AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity Analyst: Combat the threats of the future by using machine learning to detect zero-day vulnerabilities and defend against automated cyberattacks in real time.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about pursuing a bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence at Michigan's flagship technological university.

The Department of Data Science

The students of Michigan Tech’s Department of Data Science bring the future into the present, supported by experienced staff and the cutting edge of research and technology. Working at the forefront of data science and its applications, the Department of Data Science pioneers new computing technologies, collaborates with other departments to offer robust interdisciplinary programs, and prepares students for a professional life in the ever-changing world of data science computing. Students will learn to combine the structure of math and computing with the creativity of problem-solving, and graduate with the skills and experience to make a difference in the world.

Ready to get analytical? As a part of Michigan Tech's data science department, you can:

  • Access our vast virtual cluster to apply IT coursework in real-time scenarios wherever you are.
  • Participate in research on the cutting edge of computing technology.
  • Collaborate with classmates and faculty in the Rekhi Round Lounge and faculty-student lounge.
  • Cultivate skills across data science disciplines and focus your studies on your preferred area of concentration.
  • Develop models, apply theories, and work hands-on with data gathering and analysis.
  • Learn how your classroom work applies to real-world scenarios and modern problems.
  • Expand your skill set into interdisciplinary programs to address industry needs.
  • Work with award-winning faculty who nurture your studies and success.

MTU engineering

Tomorrow won’t wait. Neither will we.

Computing is for everyone, everywhere. Artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, and other forms of digital connectivity are ingrained in nearly every aspect of life. Cybersecurity has never been more important. These transformational technologies require intrepid problem-solvers, bold leaders, and fearless visionaries. You can be one of them.

Founded in 2019, Michigan Tech's College of Computing is one of the first colleges in the nation and one of the few institutions of its kind to focus solely on computing. Digital transformation has morphed every discipline into a computing discipline, reinventing industries like manufacturing, criminal justice, marketing, and healthcare. At Tech, we are making sure employers have the computing talent they need to thrive—and that our students are equipped for fulfilling careers now and for all the tomorrows to come.

The world needs Computing[MTU]. The world needs you.

Supercharge your future.

Study, do research, and build a future-forward career at a flagship R1 public research university powered by STEM. Get the theoretical knowledge and practical experience you need to succeed in a high-tech world.

Our students work alongside faculty on meaningful research, like helping to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and making machine learning more user-friendly. They connect at the intersection of engineering and computing in our mechatronics playground. They teach middle schoolers coding and cybersecurity basics, assist older generations with digital literacy essentials, and help each other persist through academic and life challenges through SAM, our unique peer mentoring program. Computing Huskies also partner with national entities like the US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency as well as local businesses to analyze security and safeguard sensitive data. And, from robotics to the MTU RedTeam, Huskies train, run, and win national competitions.

Find your jam at Tech—whether it's competing in Esports, joining an Enterprise team, or working with a group of Huskies to build a robot in three days. Here, you’ll find opportunities to connect with what clicks. And when it’s time to blow off steam, the Keweenaw Peninsula’s trails, forests, and Lake Superior beaches await, along with Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley Ski Hill.

When it comes to preparing for life after graduation, our Career Fair offers more than a one-day event—it’s a series of workshops and meetups, leading to co-ops, internships, and full-time, well-paying positions. If you want to be ready for what tomorrow needs, your future starts now, in the Michigan Tech College of Computing.

Dennis Livesay
"We are past the point of asking if AI is 'the next big thing.' It is the new electricity critically woven into the basic fabric of every industry, every screen, and every interaction."Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing