Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) Minor

NOTE: The University of Minnesota Board of Regents recently approved this minor and work is underway to enroll students in 2027.  

* Students must declare this minor by completing the UMN AI & ML Minor Declaration Form, which will be available here in January 2027 *

Overview

The Department of Computer Science & Engineering will offer a minor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in 2027. It is designed for undergraduate students eager to expand their skill set and knowledge in two of the fastest-growing fields in computer science.

By enrolling in the AI & ML minor, students will deepen their understanding of core concepts such as natural language processing, robotics, computer vision, and data mining. Students may also tailor the minor to their interests and pair it with their primary discipline of study through elective courses.

Ethics is a key component of the AI minor. Ethical considerations, including responsible use of data, bias and fairness, transparency, privacy, and the societal impacts of AI are integrated throughout the curriculum.

AI and machine learning skills are not only highly sought after by employers across industries — including healthcare, finance, engineering, and entertainment — but also empower students to tackle complex, real-world problems with innovative solutions.

Adding this minor to your academic journey will help distinguish you in a competitive job market and enhance your readiness for graduate studies or research roles. The curriculum is designed to complement a wide range of majors, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to harness the transformative power of AI and machine learning in their chosen fields.

To meet the prerequisites for some courses in the minor, students will need strong mathematical skills and must complete a calculus course and a linear algebra course.

Students pursuing the BS in Computer Science may NOT earn the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Minor. CSE Computer Science BS students can take coursework in their technical electives to specialize in artificial intelligence.

Requirements

The AI & ML minor consists of seven courses.

All courses used for the minor must be taken A-F, with only courses earning a grade of C- or better counting towards the minor. At least three upper-division credits must be taken at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Required Computer Science Coursework

Complete the following four courses:

  • CSCI 1133 - Introduction to Computing and Programming Concepts (4 credit) OR CSCI 1133H - Honors Introduction to Computing and Programming Concepts (4 credit)
  • CSCI 2521 - Thinking with Machines: The Art, Science, and Ethics of AI (3 credit) meets Technology and Society Theme
  • CSCI 3041 - Introduction to Discrete Structures and Algorithms (4 credit) OR CSCI4041 - Algorithms and Data Structures (4 credit)
  • CSCI 4521 - Applied Machine Learning for Computer and Data Scientists (3 credit)

Required Math Coursework

Complete one calculus course option and one linear algebra course option:

  • Calculus options:
    • MATH 1142 - Short Calculus (4 credit)
    • MATH 1241 - Calculus and Dynamical Systems in Biology (4 credit)
    • MATH 1271 - Calculus I (4 credit)
    • MATH 1371 - CSE Calculus I (4 credit)
    • MATH 1571H - Honors Calculus I (4 credit)
    • MATH 1471 - UM Talented Youth Mathematics Program — Calculus I, First Semester (2 credit)
       
  • Linear Algebra options:
    • CSCI 2033 - Elementary Computational Linear Algebra (4 credit)
    • MATH 2142 - Elementary Linear Algebra (4 credit)
    • MATH 2373 - CSE Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credit)
    • MATH 2243 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credit)
    • MATH 2474 - Advanced Topics for Secondary Students (3 credit)
    • MATH 2471 - UM Talented Youth Mathematics Program — Calculus II, Second Semester (2 credit)
    • MATH 2574H - Honors Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credit)
    • MATH 3593H - Honors Mathematics II (5 credit) Honors

Minor Electives

Take one course from the following options:

  • CSCI 4541 - Introduction to Natural Language Processing (4 credit)
  • CSCI 4551 - Introduction to Computational Robotics (4 credit)
  • CSCI 4511W - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (4 credit)
  • CSCI 5521 - Machine Learning Fundamentals (3 credit)
  • CSCI 5461 - Functional Genomics, Systems Biology, and Bioinformatics (3 credit)
  • CSCI 5523 - Introduction to Data Mining (3 credit)
  • CSCI 5561 - Computer Vision (3 credit)
  • BMEN 5801 - Biomedical Data Science (3 credit)
  • CHEN 5802 - Applied Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (3 credit)
  • EE 4389W - Introduction to Predictive Learning (3 credit)
  • EE 4521 - Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Science for Electrical and Computer Engineers (3 credit)
  • EE 5239 - Intro to Nonlinear Optimization with Applications in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (3 credit)
  • IE 3013 - Optimization for Machine Learning (4 credit)
  • IE 5533 - Operations Research for Data Science (3 credit)
  • MATS 5802 - Applied Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (3 credit)
  • MATH 5465 - Mathematics of Machine Learning and Data Analysis I (4 credit)
  • MATH 5466 - Mathematics of Machine Learning and Data Analysis II (4 credit)
  • INET 4061 - Data Science I: Machine Learning Essentials (4 credit)
  • INET 4062 - Data Science II: Advanced Analytics and AI (4 credit)
  • APEC 3551 - Concept Design and Value-Added Entrepreneurship in Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (3 credit)
  • BA 3551 - Business Analytics (3 credit)
  • IDSC 4504 - Machine Learning and Responsible AI for Business Applications (4 credit)
  • IDSC 4211 - Interactive Data Visualization for Business Analytics (2 credit)
  • SOIL 4111 - Introduction to Precision Agriculture (3 credit)
  • STAT 4051 - Statistical Machine Learning I (4 credit)
  • STAT 4052 - Statistical Machine Learning II (4 credit)
  • CI 2311W - Introduction to Technology and Ethics in Society (3 credit) meets Civic Life and Ethics Theme
  • CI 4311W - Technology and Ethics in Society (3 credit) meets Civic Life and Ethics Theme
  • ESPM 3108 - Ecology of Managed Systems (3 credit) meets Environment Theme


A student may substitute an (upper-division) elective course in artificial intelligence or machine learning within their major discipline, with the approval of the department. Students would need to contact [email protected] to propose substitutions.

Declaring the minor

The University of Minnesota AI & ML Minor Declaration Form will be available beginning in January 2027. Students must declare the minor when enrolling in their first computer science course and continuing through completion of all requirements. Students must have declared their major before adding the minor. 

** For more information about this minor and two new AI courses debuting in fall 2026, read "CS&E Prepares UMN Students for the AI-powered Workplace." **

Questions?

For questions about the program or to declare your computer science minor, contact:

CS&E Undergraduate Advising Team
[email protected]