The minor in Practical AI provides an overview of artificial intelligence and its applications across a variety of disciplines and fields. It is meant to be applicable -and accessible- to all majors at VCU. When combined with the appropriate major, the minor can be useful to students in understanding and applying AI ethically in their chosen field and careers.

The minor consists of 18 credit hours. Students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.0 in all courses counted toward the minor. 

Course Title Hours
Required courses
CMSC 225Essentials of Artificial Intelligence3
or MATH 170 The Language of Artificial Intelligence
PHIL 202Ethics of Artificial Intelligence3
IDST 370Practical AI Synthesis3
Electives
Choose nine credits from at least two of the following categories (at least six credits must be 300 level or higher).9
STEM
Essentials of Artificial Intelligence
The Language of Artificial Intelligence
Practical Artificial Intelligence
Mathematical Foundations for Artificial Intelligence
Humanities and social sciences
Topics in Practical AI
AI in Mass Media
Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
Statistical Computing for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Business and administration
AI in Business
Data Preparation for AI
Artificial Intelligence for Business Intelligence
AI Services for Business
Design of AI Systems
Total Hours18

CMSC 225 or MATH 170 and PHIL 202 should be completed at the beginning of the minor, while IDST 370 should be completed at the end.

Students may choose CMSC 225 or MATH 170 as an elective if they do not take it as a required course.

In some of the minor categories, a student may substitute an internship, co-op, undergraduate research, study abroad or vertically integrated project for the required three credits with the approval of the interdisciplinary studies program director. Additional special topics or new courses may be substituted if appropriate. Students should discuss such substitutions with the interdisciplinary studies program director prior to enrolling in the substitute course.

Some courses have restrictions and/or prerequisites. Students should work with their adviser to plan the best courses for them, including possible overrides.