Contact Us: studentsuccess@sandiego.edu
M.S. in Applied Artificial Intelligence
As an online student, most of your interactions with the university will be done through various websites. For example:
Ashley Dominguez
(619) 260-7521
Our number one priority is you! Our team has prepared a checklist of items that will set you up for success and clarify all action items as a new student. After you have enrolled for your first term, please complete and review all of the following before classes start.
This webinar will go over a comprehensive look at your program and what to expect as an online learner including resources and tips for success. Each webinar should last around 30-40 minutes. Please RSVP for your Welcome Webinar as soon as possible.
In this call, you’ll “meet” a member of your Student Success Team for your program. Once you attend the welcome webinar, you will be given the link to schedule your new student check-in call. This will be a chance for us to answer any additional questions you have before you start your first term. Please be sure to have any Blackboard-related, program-related, or finance-related questions prepared.
Once you have been registered in your classes, you will be able to access your New Student Orientation Course (AAI 550) on Blackboard within 24 hours. When accessing Blackboard, please make sure to use Firefox or Chrome as your browser.
The New Student Orientation course is designed to help you navigate your way around Blackboard prior to beginning your first class. You will learn where to find the syllabus, course schedule, assignments, and the discussion board.
Your Orientation is mandatory, and must be completed before the first day of class— so we encourage you to get started! Please plan to spend about 16-20 hours completing the Orientation course. You can move through the Orientation at your own pace, so schedule your time accordingly.
Looking for assistance?
We recommend that students start this planning early as some funding sources can take some time to process. Tuition payments should be completed in full by the first day of the semester. Visit the “Tuition & Payment Methods” section for more information.
Please make sure to review your student handbook prior to the first day of class, and reference it as needed throughout your program. The handbook is where you can find information on academic expectations, drop and refund policy, technology requirements, curriculum, frequently asked questions, and more.
Below is a list of significant dates regarding the registration process, payment deadlines, and other important academic and program deadlines.
Summer 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | April 10, 2023 |
Registration Opens | March 6, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | April 21, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | May 5, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | May 8, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | May 9, 2023 |
Semester Begins | May 9, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | May 9, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | May 12, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | June 5, 2023 |
First Course End Date | June 26, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | June 27, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | July 11, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | July 24, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | August 14, 2023 |
Semester Ends | August 14, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | August 28, 2023 |
Fall 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | August 1, 2023 |
Registration Opens | July 3, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | August 14, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | September 1, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | September 4, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | September 5, 2023 |
Semester Begins | September 5, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | September 5, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | September 8, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | October 2, 2023 |
First Course End Date | October 23, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | October 24, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | November 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | November 20, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | December 11, 2023 |
Semester Ends | December 11, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | December 25, 2023 |
Spring 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | December 2, 2022 |
Registration Opens | November 2, 2022 |
Registration Deadline | December 16, 2022 |
Orientation Course Due Date | January 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | January 9, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | January 10, 2023 |
Semester Begins | January 10, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | January 10, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | January 13, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | February 6, 2023 |
First Course End Date | February 27, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | March 13, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | February 28, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | March 27, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | April 17, 2023 |
Semester Ends | April 17, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | May 1, 2023 |
You have most likely already filled out an Enrollment Agreement, which enables our team to register you for classes each term. No further action is required on your part.
If you are not able to register for both of your courses in a given term, please contact your program coordinator immediately. This often happens for students who need to take a leave of absence.
Students are required to have their textbooks on hand by the first day of class. Unless otherwise specified, students may select any vendor they prefer (such as Amazon.com, Half.com, Alibris.com, etc.) to purchase their course materials. In the event a specific vendor is required, it will be specified in the course materials list. The best way to ensure that you have the correct book is to search by the ISBN number(s) listed on the book list.
Physical copies of books are not on hand at the USD Torero Store. The USD Torero online store does offer price comparisons for different online vendors for some books.
Although all textbooks for all courses are listed, students only need to purchase the items for the classes they are taking for the semester.
If your course is indicated to have a “Digital Inclusive Access” textbook, you do have the option to use the integrated Vitalsource e-textbook without needing to purchase a textbook through an outside vendor. For more information, view the “Digital Inclusive Access” FAQs document.
Tuition at USD is billed per semester, not per course. Payment (or enrollment in an official USD payment plan) is always due by the first day of the semester. Students may not carry balances from one semester to the next.
Accounts with outstanding balances after the official payment due date may be subject to course cancellations/removal or a student account hold during the semester; related holds can prevent upcoming registration, graduation, or obtaining transcripts.
Remember: tuition is always due by the first day of each semester.
Once you have been registered for your courses, your student account will reflect the appropriate tuition costs according to your program. Your program’s tuition is the following:
Students who need to re-take or withdraw from a course may need to pay additional fees according to the Refund/Drop Deadline policies listed in your Student Handbook.
If you have any questions about your Student Account, please reach out to the One Stop Center via email at onestop@sandiego.edu or phone at 619-260-2700. All costs and fees are subject to change and are based on the academic year of enrollment.
All costs and fees are subject to change and are based on the academic year of enrollment.
Students will be registered for their prescribed courses each semester. All courses must be dropped prior to the first day of the semester to receive a 100% tuition refund and within the first three days of the start date of the semester to receive a 95% tuition refund. No refund (reversal of tuition) will be provided after the third day of the semester for any class.
You can track your progress toward earning your degree using the Degree Works feature in your MySanDiego student portal. Degree Works shows you which courses you have completed, grades, cumulative GPA, any outstanding graduation requirements, and more!
To access Degree Works:
Submitting your petition to graduate is a requirement for every student. About a semester before your final term, you will be reminded by your Program Coordinator to submit your petition to graduate. Once completed, your Academic Coordinator will review your academic record and contact you if there are any outstanding requirements or issues.
If you are planning on participating in the commencement ceremony (which means walking in your cap and gown here on campus), you will be invited to come to the University of San Diego in the month of May to participate in the ceremony. Commencement details and information will be sent from your Student Success Team around the month of February. Please note, there is only one commencement ceremony each academic year. Fall graduates will be invited to the commencement ceremony the May after they graduate, while Summer graduates will be invited to the commencement ceremony the May before they graduate.
The registrar will process their final audit of the degrees 6-8 weeks after grades are posted for your final semester. Once the degree is conferred in the system, the Registrar will order your diploma from the vendor and the vendor will send it to you directly to the address that was listed on your petition to graduate. Mailing time is an additional 6-8 weeks from the date of order, and you will likely receive your diploma in the mail in 3-4 months after you have completed your degree requirements. *Please note, if your mailing address changes after you submit your Petition to Graduate, please notify the Graduate Records office at (619) 260-2217 or usdgradrec@sandiego.edu.
The 30 unit program will consist of ten courses. Courses will be offered year-round with three semesters every year; Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each semester will last 14 weeks. Students will take two courses per semester. Courses will run for seven weeks each with a one or two week break in between semesters. This intensive format will allow students to focus on one course at a time and to still complete the degree program in 20 months.
This course is an introduction to probability and statistical concepts and their applications in solving real-world problems. This prerequisite course provides a solid background in the application of probability and statistics that will form the basis for fundamental and advanced techniques in AI. Statistical concepts, probability theory, random and multivariate variables, data and sampling distributions, descriptive statistics, and hypothesis testing will be covered. The use of computer-based applications for the performance of basic statistics will be utilized. Covered topics include the numerical and graphical description of data, elements of probability, sampling distributions, probability distribution functions, estimation of population parameters, and hypothesis tests. This course will combine the learnings from texts with practical problem-solving skills required to understand the probabilistic concepts in a variety of AI-related problems.
Recent advances in big data, computational power, smart homes, and autonomous vehicles have rendered artificial intelligence (AI) as a major technological revolution in engineering and computer science. The goal of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental principles, techniques, challenges, and applications of AI, deep learning, and natural language processing. Topics covered include heuristic search and optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, machine learning, neural networks, and natural language understanding. Several applications of AI and deep learning will be explored including computer vision, pattern recognition, image processing, biomedical systems, internet of things, and robotics.
Machine learning is an interdisciplinary field that combines techniques from statistics, linear process big data at a high speed to make predictions or decisions without human intervention. Machine learning applications include business intelligence, biomedical systems, security, and automation. This class will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and algorithms for machine learning. We will learn supervised learning and unsupervised learning techniques such as hidden Markov models, support vector machines, clustering, and dimensionality reduction. Students will acquire skills and knowledge on incorporating ethical issues in machine learning. Students will learn concepts such as dehumanization effects and amplification of human biases that are transferred into training data affecting machine learning.
Neural networks have enjoyed several waves of popularity over the past half-century. The many applications of neural networks include apps that identify people in photos, automated vision systems for large-scale object recognition, smart home appliances that recognize continuous, natural speech, self-driving cars, and software that translates from any language to any other language. In this course, we’ll learn the fundamental principles and concepts of neural networks and state-of-the-art approaches to deep learning. Students will learn to design neural network architectures and training methods using hands-on assignments. Students will read current research articles to appreciate state-of-the-art approaches and real-world applications. We will learn and use a critical software tool for modern deep learning: TensorFlow.
This course is focused on understanding a variety of ways to represent human language as computational systems, and how to exploit those representations to develop programs for translation, summarization, extracting information, question answering, natural interfaces to databases, and conversational agents. This course will include concepts central to Machine Learning (discrete classification, probability models) and to Linguistics (morphology, syntax, semantics). We’ll learn computational treatments of words, sounds, sentences, meanings, and conversations. We’ll understand how probabilities and real-world text data can help. We’ll explore state-of-the-art approaches to applications such as translation and information extraction. We will introduce some high-level formalisms (e.g., regular expressions) and tools (e.g., Python) that can greatly simplify prototype implementation. Students will learn techniques to address the social impact of natural language processing such as demographic bias, exclusion, and overgeneralization.
This course provides an introduction to computer vision. Topics covered include fundamentals of image formation, camera imaging, feature detection and extraction, motion estimation and tracking, image processing, object and scene recognition. Students will learn fundamental concepts of computer vision as well as hands-on experience for solving real-world vision problems. Students will acquire knowledge on applying ethically responsible techniques and fairness in computer vision applications.
Recent advances in smart devices and technologies have enabled cars, smartphones, TVs, refrigerators, and several other devices to be connected to each other to build, operate, and manage the physical world. The Internet of Things (IoT), has great potential to impact how individuals live and work by providing a source of innovative decision making. The design of the IoT requires the understanding of software, sensors, networks, and data analytics. To prepare our students as forerunners in AI, this course will introduce a wide range of topics in the broad areas of IoT and data analytics and provide hands-on learning experiences and real-world applications. Students will acquire knowledge on the ethics and law in IoT-enabled systems. Concepts in IoT ethics such as data security, privacy, trustworthiness, and transparency of data will be discussed in detail.
This course will examine some of the issues and consequences of increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. We will consider a range of possible problems arising from AI and how researchers and policymakers might address them. We will investigate how AI could be adapted to operate within safety, ethical, and legal limits. We will also study the economic and social effects that AI could have on society. The course will also consider some legal and policy issues related to the use of AI systems, including fairness, privacy, and liability. We will learn proposed regulations that provide individuals with a right to explanation when decisions made by an AI agent affect them. We will also understand the importance of ethical considerations for guiding computer scientists and engineers who create AI-enabled technologies. Economic issues concerning AI will also be examined to understand the unemployment threat caused by the replacement of workers by AI systems and the consequent effects on economic inequality. We will study the challenges of ensuring that artificially intelligent systems and agents behave ethically, legally, and safely.
In this course, we will learn the current state-of-the-art and future directions in applications of AI and big data. Several real-world applications of AI will be introduced. These include biomedicine, healthcare, robotics, computer vision, smart homes, and social good. For these areas, we will explore the fundamental challenges, principles, and potential opportunities for future research. We will learn the fundamentals of big data, existing big data platforms and tools, data privacy, and data visualization. We will explore several applications of big data in finance, multimedia, health, and social data. We will learn how AI can be a powerful force for social good. Specific applications and issues such as healthcare delivery, sustainability, addressing bias, social and economic justice will be explored in detail.
In this course, students learn how the knowledge and skills acquired in the Master’s program can be directly applied to develop AI-enabled systems. Students will apply skills acquired in the program to effectively address ethical, moral, and social issues in their design process. Students work in teams and participate in the identification of a problem, develop a project proposal outlining an approach to the problem’s solution, implement the proposed solution, and test or evaluate the result.
This list is helpful resources that will set you up for success. Haven’t written in APA formatting since your undergraduate program? We’ve got you covered! Want to know what type of computer you will need? No problem. We have listed helpful resources below.
System Requirements
Program Software Requirements
All writing assignments must be formatted according to APA standards. Discussion posts must contain the appropriate APA citations. If you want additional writing support, we recommend Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL@Purdue). In addition to general writing support, the website includes a special section dedicated to APA formatting guidelines.
Another helpful writing resource is the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Graduate Student Writing Center. Enrolled students can submit assignments for review by a writing professional.
Students at the University of San Diego are able to download Microsoft Office 365 for free! If you don’t have it already, you can download the Microsoft Office 365 suite using your USD student email.
TimelyCare is a provider of 24/7, no-cost telehealth services for USD students to address common conditions that can be safely diagnosed and treated remotely. TimelyCare services are available at no cost to the student. Services include:
Each time your course starts, you will be invited to join a Slack messaging channel for your MS-AAI program. In the channel, you’ll be able to easily message your peers and faculty in a dynamic way. New to Slack? No problem – there are a variety of introductory resources to get you up to speed.
Here are some free recommended resources to supplement the course content in your program:
Paid for Resources
The handbook is where you can find information on academic expectations, drop and refund policy, technology requirements, curriculum, frequently asked questions, and more.
It is the policy of the University of San Diego to adhere to the rules and regulations as announced in this brochure or other University Publications. The University nevertheless hereby gives notice that it reserves the right to expand or delete or otherwise modify this online publication whenever such changes are adjudged by it to be desirable or necessary. Changes will be made periodically as needed.
In your program, you can think of Blackboard as your virtual tool to share information with professors and peers. You will use Blackboard to access your course content, find course syllabi, review your assignments, and more. Be sure to use your USD login credential to log in. If you have any difficulty logging into your course, be sure to contact ITS at (619) 260-7900 or help@sandiego.edu.
The concept of netiquette covers proper communication online. Read our guidelines to help cultivate a supportive and productive online environment.
At USD, you join a community of individuals who are all committed to one common goal: your success. As you familiarize yourself with your team, take the opportunity to virtually meet and connect with the resources available to you as a student. Click on the profiles below to learn more about each office or staff member and watch a brief video about their role in supporting you through graduation.
Whether you’re hoping to find a new job or earn a promotion, USD has a wealth of resources available to prepare you for your dream role.
Tuition for the MS-AAI program is $925 per unit.
The MS-AAI program is a total of 30 units.
Students will enroll in two prescribed courses each semester for a total of 6 semester units.
The University of San Diego considers 9 or more units as full-time student status. Your program is designed to be part-time, and students enroll in just 6 units per semester. There is no full-time option for this program.
All students are manually enrolled each semester by the USD Student Success team. If you are not able to enroll for a term or if you need to drop your courses, it is your responsibility to notify your Program Coordinator. All students will be held to the respective drop deadlines and refund schedule detailed in your Student Handbook.
Login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal. Under the “My Student Account” tab, review the tutorials for directions on how to view and pay your bill, set up a payment plan, and enroll in eRefund (Direct Deposit). View the “Tuition & Payment Methods” on your Student Success Center for further details.
Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and navigate to the “Torero Hub” section on the sidebar. Click on the “My Academics” tab and locate the “View My Grades” link in the top-middle section. Alternatively, you can view your program progress at a glance using the “Degree Works” link.
If you notice a grade inconsistency between Blackboard and your MySanDiego portal, please email your instructor to verify what the final grade should be. Your instructor has the ability to update the posted grade.
Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and then use the “Degree Works” link to view your degree audit.
You can find the “Degree Works” link in the Torero Hub under the “My Academics” page. If you are interested in requesting a tailored degree plan, please email studentsuccess@sandiego.edu.
If you need to take time off from your program, please email your Program Coordinator or the Student Success team at studentsuccess@sandiego.edu. Since you have submitted your enrollment commitment, our team will automatically register you in courses each term unless you have previously notified the team about taking a break.
To order your official, unofficial, or e-transcript(s), view the transcript ordering options page. Otherwise, you can view unofficial/order official transcripts through your MySanDiego portal. Under the “Torero Hub” sidebar option, click on the “My Academics” page, then click on “Request Official Transcript” under the “My Classes” section.
Congratulations on finishing your program! Diplomas are mailed about 6-8 weeks after the degree requirements have been met and processed. Diplomas are mailed to the current address on file at the time degree requirements are completed. (To check your address information, login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal and view your personal information under My Torero Services.)
You will first be emailed a copy of your e-diploma from Parchment prior to receiving your mailed physical diploma.
Throughout your program and after graduation, your Student Success team is here to help! We recommend contacting your Program Coordinator directly, but you can also email our team address at studentsuccess@sandiego.edu.
In addition to our team, your Academic Director is a great resource!
All writing assignments must be formatted according to APA standards. Discussion posts must contain the appropriate APA citations. If you are unfamiliar with APA formatting, or simply require additional writing support, we recommend referencing the Purdue Online Writing Lab (also called OWL@Purdue). In addition to general writing support, the website includes a special section dedicated to APA formatting guidelines.
To further support your writing, we highly recommend using the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Graduate Student Writing Center. Students are encouraged to submit written course assignments via the digital submission form for online feedback from a professional writing coach. See site for details.
This course moves very quickly, and it is important that you turn in all assignments on or before their due dates. If, because of an emergency, you have missed a week or more of course work, please contact your professor immediately to inform them. While there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up your work, informing your professor early is the best way to get back on track and finish your course successfully.
Please do not wait more than a week without informing your professor. If your instructor’s email is not already visible on the Blackboard course, please use the USD directory to find their contact information.