¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence combines a strong computing foundation with concentrated study in the methods driving the AI revolution, as well as a dedicated focus on the ethical considerations necessary to engage responsibly in this rapidly growing field. Now, more than ever, we need artificial intelligence engineers who are considering the short- and long-term impacts of these transformative new technologies: people who care about excellence in their work and who consider its ethical implementation.

Program Highlights

• Among the only Christian university AI degrees in the United States
• Lecture-lab integrated courses across the major
• Two-semester Senior Project capstone
• ABET-aligned curriculum design
• Faith and ethics integration throughout the curriculum
• Liberal Arts Core Curriculum that strengthens written communication, ethical reasoning, and breadth of judgment
• Small class sizes and direct faculty mentorship

Program of Study

The freshman and sophomore years build technical foundations: introduction to programming, intermediate programming, data structures, operating systems, database management and fundamentals of artificial intelligence. Junior year moves into machine learning, deep learning, advanced data structures and algorithms, and computer networks. Senior year focuses on applied AI specializations and the capstone sequence: natural language processing, computer vision, prompt engineering and large language models, AI for cybersecurity, human-centered artificial intelligence, and senior projects.
Review degree plan

Courses

Required AI coursework includes:

• Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Computer Vision
• Prompt Engineering and Large Language Models
• Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity
• Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Analytics
• Data and Information Management
• Senior Projects
• Internship and Professional Experience

Students also complete a supporting sequence of computer science courses (introductory programming through advanced data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, and database management) and choose one technical elective from the following:

• Theory of Computing
• Web Application Programming
• Software Design and Engineering
• Applied Cryptography

Artificial intelligence ranks among the fastest-growing fields in the U.S. economy. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence move into technical roles across industries, with strong starting salaries and a clear path to graduate study for those who want to specialize further.

Career Outcomes

HCU AI graduates are prepared for roles including:

• Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• AI Engineer
• Software Developer with AI specialization
• Natural Language Processing Engineer
• Computer Vision Engineer
• AI Cybersecurity Analyst
• AI Ethics and Responsible AI Specialist
• Applied AI Researcher
• Computer and Information Research Scientist (typically requires graduate study)

In Houston specifically, AI talent is in demand across energy companies (ExxonMobil, Chevron, Phillips 66, Aramco Americas, Baker Hughes, SLB), healthcare and biosciences institutions (Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine), aerospace and government (NASA Johnson Space Center), and enterprise software firms (BMC Software, HighRadius, Hewlett Packard Enterprise).

Salaries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following May 2024 median annual wages and 2024 to 2034 employment projections for occupations open to HCU AI graduates:

• : $112,590 median annual wage, with employment projected to grow 34 percent, ranking among the fastest-growing occupations in the country.
• : $133,080 median annual wage, with 15 percent projected growth.
• : $124,910 median annual wage, with 29 percent projected growth, a direct fit for graduates of ARIN 4362 AI for Cybersecurity.
• : $140,910 median annual wage, with 20 percent projected growth. This category typically requires a master’s degree.
• : $105,990 median annual wage, more than double the national median across all occupations of $49,500.

Opportunities for AI Degree Majors

Houston’s position as the country’s energy capital and the home of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, gives you immediate access to industries actively investing in artificial intelligence.

Research

The Senior Project sequence (ENSC 4311 and ENSC 4312) gives students two semesters to design and complete a substantial AI research or development project under faculty supervision. Faculty research interests span machine learning applications, computer vision, natural language processing, AI ethics, and AI for cybersecurity. Students with stronger research ambitions also have access to Houston’s broader research ecosystem, including the Texas Medical Center, the Rice AI Venture Accelerator, and the University of Houston Energy Transition Institute.

Networking

HCU AI students engage with regional professional networks throughout the program. Active Houston-area organizations include the Association for Computing Machinery, the IEEE Houston Section, the Houston AI Society, Women in AI Houston, and industry groups focused on energy AI and healthcare AI. The Ion District hosts regular meetups, pitch nights, and conferences that put students in direct contact with founders, recruiters, and senior engineers.