Mississippi State launches Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Contact: Camille Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program at Mississippi State will prepare students for high-demand careers in one of the fastest-growing fields of technology.
Launching this fall and housed in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the program builds on the university’s longstanding commitment to the field, said Andy Perkins, interim department head. MSU previously introduced an undergraduate concentration in AI and was among the first universities in the country to offer a bachelor’s degree in the field. Rapid advancements and growing demands, he said, made the new graduate program a natural next step.
“Artificial intelligence has a rich history at Mississippi State, dating back to the founding of the Department of Computer Science in 1968,” Perkins said. “Students enrolled in the master’s program will engage with distinguished faculty actively conducting cutting-edge research in AI. Our faculty bring a wealth of experience to the program, including specializing in fundamental AI research and applying AI methods in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, bioinformatics and agriculture.”
Available to a broad audience of students through in-person classes in Starkville and via online learning, the program offers a robust curriculum that provides students with a solid foundation in AI and machine learning, complemented by a range of electives in specialized application areas. Students can tailor their education according to their interests, Perkins said, while gaining essential skills for future careers.
Its curriculum includes 12 hours of foundational AI and ML courses, a course in computing theory and another focused on legal and ethical issues related to AI and computing. Students may choose an additional 12 hours of electives that allow them to focus on strengthening their fundamental knowledge or applying AI in various domain areas, and those interested in research may pursue a thesis.
“We are dedicated to providing practical experience that allows our students to apply AI methods in real-world contexts. By equipping our graduates with the latest knowledge in AI technology and preparing them for the evolution of this field, we are confident they will emerge as leaders in the industry,” he said. “The recent investments by Amazon Web Services in our region and the launch of the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program signify strong growth potential for AI careers locally and throughout the nation.”
MSU’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering is online at www.cse.msstate.edu and can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn at @msuengineering.
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