Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the discipline that designs and implements computer programs and systems with cognitive abilities similar to those of humans and other intelligent biological systems – neural networks, ant colonies, immune systems, evolutionary systems, etc. Machine Learning (ML) is the subfield of AI dedicated to algorithms that can improve their performance automatically by extracting information from large data sets, with or without human input. The bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) is designed to prepare students for career advancement, or for further studies at the graduate level. We offer a curriculum that includes a broad introduction to AI, as well as the relevant computer science and mathematics foundations of the field.
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A sequence of in-depth courses then cover the main areas of applications and research in AI/ML: neural networks, computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems, and reinforcement learning. Students are encouraged to gain experience in complementary technical areas through technical electives. The program is meant to establish a robust talent pipeline in a rapidly expanding field essential to the economy of Texas and the US. We are leveraging our existing faculty, curriculum, and strong industry partnerships to prepare graduates with real-life skills critical for driving innovation in the field of AI/ML.
Numerous recent studies of AI/ML use-cases concluded that companies are using AI/ML in a wide variety of applications, including healthcare, agriculture, warehouse automation, finance, insurance, real estate, customer service, entertainment, cybersecurity, manufacturing, etc. Graduates of this program will be competitive in many areas of industry, government, education and the military.
Jobs that heavily involve AI and ML are predicted to grow 76% in the next decade. The global compound annual growth rate of the AI/ML industry is about 39%, and its value is anticipated to reach over $200 billion by 2029. According to data from multiple online employment companies (Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, etc.), the yearly pay for jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree in AI/ML is currently between $70k and $120k for entry-level positions, progressing to $120k – $160k after a few years of experience. If benefits are included (bonuses, health insurance, stock options, etc.), then total compensation is around $200k.
The program was launched in spring 2025 and it is housed in Tarleton’s Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE). As of the fall semester of 2025, the student to faculty ratio of the CSEE department is under 20:1 overall, which contributes to a great learning and mentorship experience.
In addition to all the other Tarleton opportunities, students in the AI/ML program can join our IEEE and ACM student organizations. This gives them access to a variety of projects, competitions, workshops, professional networking and undergraduate research opportunities. Students can also be employed in various roles in the department, including grader, teaching assistant (TA) and student researcher.
Learning Outcomes
The bachelor’s program in AI/ML is designed to emphasize building a broad foundation in computing and mathematics, while introducing core AI/ML concepts and applied skills. Students in the program acquire the ability to design, implement, and evaluate AI/ML solutions, and they also gain awareness of the fairness, accountability, biases, and societal impacts of AI/ML systems. Problem-solving and analytical abilities are being developed throughout – we teach students how to translate real-world problems into well-structured AI/ML problems, how to compare various algorithmic approaches and weigh trade-offs in order to select suitable techniques, and how to implement AI/ML solutions using sound software engineering principles.
