Students at a USD robotics competition.

Artificial Intelligence

Push the boundaries of what's possible and develop AI technologies that influence the way we live today and tomorrow.

Become a Leader in the Field of AI

As a graduate artificial intelligence student at USD, you will develop cutting-edge AI knowledge and practical skills paired with a strong foundation in critical thought, reasoning and ethics, ensuring that AI technology is developed and deployed ethically and responsibly. The program blends theory with hands-on practical experience, preparing you for leadership roles in AI research, development and application across diverse industries. 

Degrees & Offerings

Artificial Intelligence (M.S.)

Master's
  Vermillion Main Campus

Through the M.S. in AI you will explore machine learning, vision, intelligent systems, robotics and agent-based systems, knowledge discovery and data mining and the secure, trustworthy, ethical and responsible use of AI. Become a leader in the rapidly growing field of AI.

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Artificial Intelligence

Certificate
  Vermillion Main Campus and Online

If you are interested in data analytics with machine learning models, computational chemistry physics, business/finance and heath sciences, to name a few, you can benefit from this 12 credit hour online graduate certificate. You are not required to be a computer science major to apply. The credit hours earned in this certificate may transfer to earning your master's degree.

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Program Details

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Graduate Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

An Affordable Education

Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you will valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or administrative assistantships within support offices are available at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate chair of the department.

For more information and to apply for a graduate assistantship, visit the Graduate Assistantship webpage.

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Real Experience Through Research

You'll find the mentorship and opportunities you need to study topics that spark your curiosity. 

At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) 

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition provides the opportunity to communicate the significance and impact of your research project in just three minutes. 

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Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities

Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program. 

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IdeaFest

IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays. 

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USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Computer Science. Through these organizations, you can forge valuable professional connections, make lifelong friends and gain incomparable experience in your field.

Association of Computing Machinery

Formed in 1947, the ACM is is the world's largest scientific and educational computing society. Becoming a member will help you build relationships with other students and computer science professionals and open doors for you professionally.

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Network Security Club

The club regularly participates in the North Central Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, in which schools compete to create the best corporate network security system. In 2017, USD's team took second place.

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Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPI)

This international honor society promotes excellence in computer science and information technology, with more than 300 chapters at schools across the country.

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Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.

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FACULTY & STAFF

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Departments of Computer Science and Math. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine vision, machine learning, pattern recognition, data science, information retrieval, internet of things, cybersecurity and big data.
Bio Image for Faculty Member KC Santosh

KC Santosh

Chair, Computer Science/Professor

Specialty

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Bio Image for Faculty Member Srikanth Baride

Srikanth Baride

Visiting Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Lina Chato

Lina Chato

Visiting Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Laurie Fritsch

Laurie Fritsch

Senior Administrative Assistant
Bio Image for Faculty Member Douglas Goodman

Douglas Goodman

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Carrie Minette

Carrie Minette

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Rodrigue Rizk

Rodrigue Rizk

Coordinator, Graduate Programs/Assistant Professor

Specialty

AI
Quantum Computing
Cybersecurity
Bio Image for Faculty Member Longwei Wang

Longwei Wang

Assistant Professor
Presenter Speaking about Artificial Intelligence

AI Symposium

USD’s Artificial Intelligence Symposium brings together AI and data engineering experts from the educational, industry and government spheres to solve problems. The symposium is a collaboration involving multiple departments across campus.

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A finger touching an AI code in the dark with a red light.

Take advantage of 546,000 new jobs by 2028!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for these workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security, where machine learning—the heart of AI—is employed. 

Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 

Graduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Graduate Assistantships

USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.

 


Departments & Facilities

Our department is home to programs, resources and services that benefit our students, communities and academic discipline. The USD Department of Computer Science's award-winning faculty's research and teaching areas are primarily focused on algorithms, artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, pattern recognition, data science, information retrieval, Internet of Things, cyber security and big data.
Computer Science person looking at a computer screen

Computer Science

Learn to develop and manage technology that changes the world in the Department of Computer Science.

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