Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Certificate
The certificate will prepare students with foundational knowledge and skills in the field of AI. The program offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles, concepts, and techniques of artificial intelligence. This includes understanding the history, development, and current applications of AI. Students will have the opportunity to earn various industry certifications related to AI while enrolled in the program. Students will engage in practical projects, which can include developing AI models, working with real-world data sets, and building AI applications.
Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Associate of Applied Science
The associate degree will prepare students for immediate entry into the rapidly growing field of AI-driven technology. This career-focused degree blends foundational theory with hands-on technical training, equipping graduates with practical skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, robotics, and data science.
Students begin by exploring the history and evolution of artificial intelligence, examining key milestones, influential technologies, and the ethical considerations shaping today’s AI landscape. From early symbolic systems to modern deep learning applications, learners develop a strong conceptual understanding of how AI systems are designed and deployed. The curriculum introduces core AI theory, including algorithms, problem-solving strategies, neural networks, and intelligent decision-making models. Students gain experience working with leading AI platforms and development environments used in industry today, preparing them to build and deploy real-world solutions. Students will have the opportunity to earn various industry certifications related to AI while enrolled in the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Certificate
- Graduates will identify specific artificial intelligence applications in various businesses.
- Graduates will identify software libraries and tools for building robot applications.
- Graduates will evaluate open-source developer tools and algorithms related to AI.
Associate of Applied Science
- Graduates will be able to apply Natural Language Processing to develop applications that bridge the gap between human communication and computer comprehension.
- Graduates will assess different strategies for data acquisition and refinement.
- Graduates will assess techniques for integrating different data formats.
- Graduates will analyze various deep learning techniques.
- Graduates will identify the various storage systems relevant to machine learning.
Advisory Committee Members
Alex Velasquez, IT Assistant, City of Pharr
Rick Mendoza, Information Technology Director, City of Weslaco
Ray Mendoza, Chief Executive Officer, Mendoza Technologies
Jose Pena, IT Director, City of Phar
Matthew Navarro, Information Security Analyst, City of McAllen
Dirce Hernandez, Director of CyberPros to Success, Raices Cyber
Certificate
Associate Degree
Artificial Intelligence Specialist Certificate
TSI Exempt
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CYAI 1470 | Artificial Intelligence History, Theory, and Platforms | 4 |
| CYAI 1471 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 4 |
| CYAI 1472 | Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity | 4 |
| ITSY 2400 | Operating System Security | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ITSC 1416 | Linux Installation and Configuration | 4 |
| ITSE 2421 | Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| CYAI 2472 | Artificial Intelligence Applications & Case History | 4 |
| CYAI 2474 | Robot Operating System & Platforms in AI | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Artificial Intelligence Specialist Associate of Applied Science
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CYAI 1470 | Artificial Intelligence History, Theory, and Platforms | 4 |
| CYAI 1471 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 4 |
| CYAI 1472 | Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity | 4 |
| ITSY 2400 | Operating System Security | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ITSC 1416 | Linux Installation and Configuration | 4 |
| ITSE 2421 | Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| CYAI 2472 | Artificial Intelligence Applications & Case History | 4 |
| CYAI 2474 | Robot Operating System & Platforms in AI | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 2306 | Introduction to Ethics 1 | 3 |
| SPCH 1318 | Interpersonal Communications 1 | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 1 | 3 | |
| CYAI 2477 | Data Science in Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| CYAI 2476 | Deep Learning in Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 1332 | Contemporary Mathematics 1 | 3 |
| CYAI 2473 | Natural Language Processing | 4 |
| CYAI 2170 | Practicum - Artificial Intelligence | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour general education requirement.