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Study Engineering AI

Build, evaluate, and improve artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Develop practical skills in model development, responsible AI, human-centered design, and real-world deployment through our Engineering AI minor.

Program Snapshot

Program Type

Minor

Credit Hours

20

Campus

Salem

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Our Engineering AI Minor

Artificial intelligence is changing how people work, communicate, and solve problems. But building effective AI systems requires more than knowing how to use the latest tools. It takes technical knowledge, careful evaluation, and an understanding of how these technologies affect people and society.

Our minor helps students understand core AI concepts and assess how AI systems perform. Through small classes and close faculty mentorship, students explore ethical and social questions surrounding AI while learning how human-centered design can make these systems more transparent, accessible, and trustworthy. 

Why choose an Engineering AI minor at Willamette?

  • Build AI skills through hands-on learning. Gain practical experience with the tools, workflows, and technologies used to develop modern AI systems. Through coursework in Python, neural networks, conversational AI, computer vision, and other emerging technologies, you'll apply concepts to real-world challenges.
  • Learn across disciplines. Explore AI through technical, ethical, and human-centered lenses while connecting your studies to your major and career goals. Examine how AI affects people, organizations, and society while developing skills that complement a wide range of fields.
  • Work closely with faculty. Small class sizes create opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and individualized guidance throughout the program. Build relationships with professors who can support your academic interests and connect you with research and creative AI opportunities.
  • Study in the Pacific Northwest. Learn in a region known for technology, entrepreneurship, and research. Complement your classroom experience with career development resources, internships, student organizations, and alumni connections.

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Do you have questions about the Engineering AI program at Willamette? Fill out this form and we'll get in touch!

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Our Faculty

Learn from faculty with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and human-centered technology. Small class sizes create opportunities for mentorship, research, and collaboration both inside and outside the classroom.

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Curriculum

Build a foundation in AI through coursework in Python, data science, machine learning, and neural networks. As you progress through the minor, you'll learn how to design, evaluate, and improve AI systems while exploring topics such as conversational AI, computer vision, and production AI. Throughout the program, you'll also examine the ethical and human-centered considerations that shape responsible AI.

  • AI461 - Computer Vision

    Computer Vision explores how computers learn to understand images. In this course, you’ll discover how visual information can be represented through pixels, patterns, spatial frequencies, and feature vectors. You’ll also learn how convolutional neural networks identify important features in images and transform them into meaningful information.

  • AI380 - Human-AI Interaction

    Human-AI Interaction explores how people communicate, collaborate, and engage with artificial intelligence. In this course, you’ll learn how to design and build chatbots, virtual assistants, and other interactive AI systems that are useful, accessible, and responsive to people’s needs. You’ll explore natural language processing, dialogue design, and user experience principles while considering what makes an AI system feel intuitive, inclusive, and meaningful.

Program Requirements

The Engineering AI minor requires 20 semester hours. This is comprised of 12 semester hours of core courses and 8 semester hours of electives.

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Admissions Information

Our Engineering AI minor is open to first-year, transfer, and international students. Prospective students can learn more through Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process.

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FAQs

Both programs focus on AI and share some of the same courses, but they have different focuses.

  • Engineering AI emphasizes building, evaluating, and improving AI systems. Students can expect to take more computer science courses covering topics such as neural networks, MLOps, and multi-agent systems.
  • Understanding AI explores how intelligence can be used across fields while examining the implications, benefits, and biases of AI. Students will take courses within different disciplines to address larger questions about AI's role in society.

If you're still unsure about which minor is right for you, reach out to an academic advisor for more guidance.

By minoring in Engineering AI, students gain practical experience with the tools and technologies behind modern AI systems. The minor complements a wide range of majors by helping students understand how AI can be applied in real-world settings. Through the AI minor, students can:

  • Build and evaluate AI models
  • Analyze and interpret data
  • Apply AI tools to real-world problems
  • Develop skills valued across industries
  • Prepare for future careers

Biology students might use AI to analyze genetic data, medical images, or patterns. Business and economics students can build models that forecast trends, assess risk, and support decisions. No matter the discipline, this minor gives students the skills to build and evaluate AI systems and use them in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Students can experience an array of opportunities to expand their knowledge of AI. Join events like WU Tech Day, discuss concepts and ideas with peers through TechBytes, or join a club like the Computer Science Students Association to learn outside the classroom.

Willamette students can also participate in lecture series or meet visiting scholars. Take advantage of all the events on campus to learn more about the future of AI.

Related Programs

Willamette University

Engineering AI

  • Salem Campus

    Address

    900 State Street
    Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.