Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (BSAAI)
Applied Artificial Intelligence
Program Overview
Most technology degrees ask what you know. Employers also want to know what you can do.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s online Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence prepares you to use AI in real work settings. You’ll learn core AI principles, algorithms, models, data tools, and human-AI interaction while examining the ethical, social, and legal questions that come with AI systems.
Built through the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies, this program connects classroom learning to the problems organizations are trying to solve right now. You’ll gain practical experience through project-based learning, applied coursework, and for-credit internship opportunities.
Program Requirements
The BSAAI is a 120-hour-credit program that provides customizable transdisciplinary options, including stackable certificates, concentrations, and minors. The curriculum covers AI foundations, ethics, data, human-centered design, programming techniques, and applied AI projects. The BSAAI gives you the technical fluency and professional judgment needed to work with AI responsibly. By graduation, you’ll be able to:
- Explain core AI principles, algorithms, and models
- Apply AI techniques to real-world problems across industries
- Evaluate ethical, social, and legal issues in AI systems
- Work with data for AI analysis, handling, cleaning, and visualization
- Use AI tools, including no-code platforms and programming-based methods
- Communicate complex technical ideas to technical and non-technical audiences
- Collaborate across disciplines to design practical AI solutions
More than 50% of businesses plan to add roles tied to AI integration and digital transformation, and AI adoption is projected to continue expanding across industries. This degree helps you prepare for that demand by equipping you with skills that employers recognize and can use.
Career Outcomes
AI is no longer limited to technology companies. It is used across healthcare, education, marketing, retail, financial services, technology, government, and more. BSAAI graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Data Analyst: Uses AI to identify patterns, automate data processing, and support data-driven decisions
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer: Builds systems that understand, interpret, and generate human language
- AI Architect: Designs and oversees AI systems aligned with organizational goals
- AI Consultant: Helps organizations use AI to improve operations, solve problems, and plan implementation
Industry reporting lists the average salary for AI professionals at approximately $110,000, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth in AI-related roles.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 1 transfer credit hour (must be earned post-high school graduation)
- Applicants who have earned fewer than 24 credit hours must also submit a high school transcript.
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Key Dates & Deadlines
Featured Courses
Introduction to foundational concepts, techniques, and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) relevant for all disciplines – especially across non-computer science fields. Explores the history and current scope of AI, data sources and tools, and fundamental components of AI solutions. Special attention will be placed on the strengths and weaknesses of the methods as well as on identifying bias, social impacts, and other ethical considerations of AI. Students will gain experience through hands-on activities using no-code AI platforms.
This course probes the vital junctures of artificial intelligence, ethics, and legal considerations. Throughout their studies, students will explore the ethical challenges posed by emerging AI technologies, understand the societal ramifications of AI decisions, and familiarize themselves with the global legal frameworks that oversee AI applications. As part of the curriculum, students will delve into ethical principles central to AI design and deployment. They will also address concerns related to bias, fairness, and transparency in AI systems. Additionally, discussions will touch upon the crucial aspects of privacy and data rights. An in-depth look into regulatory landscapes will offer insights into AI governance. By the end of this course, students will be primed to approach AI solutions holistically, bearing in mind both the ethical and legal dimensions.
Data is the lifeblood of AI. In this course, students will learn how to efficiently handle, process, and visualize data using AI-driven techniques. The key areas of study encompass the use of AI tools for data preprocessing and cleaning, advanced data analysis using AI algorithms, visualization techniques for high-dimensional data, and exploring real-world applications and case studies. Throughout the course, students will gain hands-on experience with popular AI data tools and libraries, preparing them for complex AI-driven data tasks.
Detailed study of concepts, techniques, and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) relevant for all disciplines – especially across non-computer science fields. Explores the history and current scope of AI, data sources and procedures for attaining and working with data, and fundamental components of AI solutions. Special attention will be placed on the strengths and weaknesses of the methods as well as on identifying bias, social impacts, and other ethical considerations of AI. Introduces students to AI-relevant programming through hands-on coding projects. This is an undergraduate and graduate course (AI 501) taught concurrently, where graduate students will have additional requirements and assignments.
