Artificial Intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence major requires 3/3 units of foundational Computer Science coursework and 3/3 units of foundational Data Science coursework. It is recommended that students begin their foundational coursework in Computer Science and/or Data Science in the fall semester of their first year.

Computer Science Foundations

The Intro Programming requirement for the AI major can be fulfilled by CS 1004 Intro to Programming for Non-majors; CS 1005 Programming for Engineers; CS 1101 Introduction to Programming, or CS 1102 Accelerated Introduction to Programming, each of which is offered in A term. 

Students starting the Computer Science foundation should review the course descriptions and recommended backgrounds of these courses and select an intro programming course that aligns with their background and interest. Students considering a double major should consider if one of these courses is better suited for the other major they are considering--for example, students who plan to double major in AI and Computer Science should take CS 1101 or 1102 instead of CS 1004 or 1005.

Data Science Foundations

DS 1010 Data Science I: Introduction To Data Science is the first in the Data Science sequence. Students who prefer to start on their Data Science foundation can take this in A term. 

AI Majors are required to take five classes in Math throughout their time at WPI: Calculus I and II (MA 1021/1020 and MA 1022/1120), Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and MA 2612), and Matrices and Linear Algebra I (MA 2071 or 2072). 

It is recommended that you take Math in A and B terms of your first year. In choosing which Math course you will begin with, please consider the following.  

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
   Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

MA 2611 Applied Statistics I has a recommended background of MA 1022 Calculus II. Students who have AP credit for MA 1021 and 1022 already may choose to take MA 2611 in A term. 

• Please note: Additional Math courses beyond what is required for the AI major will count as Free Electives, or may fulfill concentration requirements for AI majors pursuing the Optimization and Decision Theory Concentration. Students planning to double major should consider if additional math is required for their other major. 

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, or Social Science Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

Great Problems Seminar

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. More information can be found here.

Humanities and Arts

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

Social Science

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Students can continue with the foundational coursework they started in A term or explore the other foundation.

Computer Science Foundations

The Object-Oriented Design requirement for the AI major can be fulfilled by CS 2102 Object-Oriented Design Concepts, CS 2103 Accelerated Object-Oriented Design Concepts, or CS 2119 Application Building With Object-Oriented Concepts. 

Students should review the course descriptions and recommended backgrounds of these courses and select an object-oriented design course that aligns with their background and interest. Students considering a double major should consider if one of these courses is better suited for the other major they are considering.

CS 2119 Application Building with Object-Oriented Concepts is only available in D term. Students who took CS 1004 in A term should consider waiting until D term to take this for their object-oriented design course and instead look to begin the Data Science Foundation in B term. 

CS 1004 Introduction to Programming for Non-majors is also offered in B term. Students who did not take an introductory programming course in A term may choose to take CS 1004 in B term.

Data Science Foundations

DS 1010 Data Science I: Introduction To Data Science is the first in the Data Science sequence. Students who did not take this class in A term may choose to take it in B term. 

DS 2010 Data Science II: Statistical Modeling and Analysis is second in the Data Science sequence. It is not recommended that students take this course until they have successfully completed DS 1010, Statistics, and CS coursework at the 1000 and 2000-level. This course is offered in B, C and D terms.

AI Majors are required to take five classes in Math throughout their time at WPI: Calculus I and II (MA 1021/1020 and MA 1022/1120), Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and MA 2612), and Matrices and Linear Algebra I (MA 2071 or 2072). 

It is recommended that you continue in the math sequence started in A term. To understand where to begin in the math sequences, consider the below.

1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
   Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
   Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

MA 2611 Applied Statistics I has a recommended background of MA 1022 Calculus II. Students who have credit for MA 1021 and 1022 already may choose to take MA 2611 in B term. 

MA 2612 Applied Statistics II has a recommended background of MA 2611. Students who took MA 2611 in A term may choose to continue with MA 2612 in B term.

Please note: Additional Math courses beyond what is required for the AI major will count as Free Electives, or may fulfill concentration requirements for AI majors pursuing the Optimization and Decision Theory Concentration. Students planning to double major should consider if additional math is required for their other major. 

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, or Social Science Course. More information is available about these courses below. 

Great Problems Seminar

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. More information can be found here.

Humanities and Arts

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

Social Science

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

It is recommended that students continue with their foundational coursework in Computer Science and/or Data Science in the spring semester of their first year.

Computer Science Foundations

Students who have not yet taken an introductory programming course can consider CS 1005 Programming for Engineers or CS 1101 Introduction to Programming in C term. 

Students starting the Computer Science foundation should review the course descriptions and recommended backgrounds of these courses and select an intro programming course that aligns with their background and interest. Students considering a double major should consider if one of these courses is better suited for the other major they are considering--for example, students who plan to double major in AI and Computer Science should take CS 1101. 

Data Science Foundations

DS 1010 Data Science I: Introduction To Data Science is the first in the Data Science sequence. Students who have already completed an introductory programming class can take DS 1010 this in C term. 

DS 2010 Data Science II: Statistical Modeling and Analysis is second in the Data Science sequence. It is not recommended that students take this course until they have successfully completed DS 1010, Statistics, and CS coursework at the 1000 and 2000-level. This course is offered in B, C and D terms.

AI Majors are required to take five classes in Math throughout their time at WPI: Calculus I and II (MA 1021/1020 and MA 1022/1120), Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and MA 2612), and Matrices and Linear Algebra I (MA 2071 or 2072). 

It is recommended that you continue with math in the spring semester. Students who wish to take the semester-long version of Calculus II (MA 1120) should take this course over C and D terms.

MA 2611 Applied Statistics I has a recommended background of MA 1022 Calculus II. Students who have credit for MA 1021 and 1022 already may choose to take MA 2611 in C term. 

Students who have credit for MA 1021, 1022, and 2611 may choose to take MA 2071/2072 Matrices and Linear Algebra I.

• Please note: Additional Math courses beyond what is required for the AI major will count as Free Electives, or may fulfill concentration requirements for AI majors pursuing the Optimization and Decision Theory Concentration. Students planning to double major should consider if additional math is required for their other major. 

Your third course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Basic Science Course. More information on these courses can be found below.

Humanities and Arts

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

Social Science

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Basic Science

The AI major requires 2 courses in a basic or engineering science. Students may choose to take basic sciences in the spring semester.

It is recommended that students consider which concentration within the AI major they wish to pursue and identify if the courses within that concentration require a certain science background. For example, concentrations in engineering (like Electrical and Computer Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Built & Natural Environment, etc.) may require courses that have recommended backgrounds in Physics, and concentrations in life sciences (Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Life Sciences & Molecular Biochemistry, etc.) may require courses/background in chemistry.

Consider the following basic science options for C term.

• Physics: PH 1110 General Physics - Mechanics is the first in the general physics sequence and has a recommended background of differential calculus (MA 1021) and concurrent study of integral calculus (MA 1022). 

  The traditional PH 1110 is taught in three one-hour lectures, two one-hour conferences, and two hours of labs per week. If you prefer more “seeing and doing,” and learning in groups with other students in class, you may want to opt into the “studio style” version of the course in which class time will include a brief summary lecture, hands-on activities, and group problem solving. Studio-style courses often require more work outside of class before a topic is covered to be ready for the activities in the classroom, whereas traditional-style courses often require more work outside of class after a topic is covered to review and practice on your own (or with other students). The total amount of work outside of class turns out to be about the same between the two styles. Studio-style physics consists of two two-hour active learning sessions, a one-hour session for review problems or exams, and the same two-hour session of labs per week. The section numbers for studio-style physics are CS01 or CS02.
   

• Chemistry: CH 1010 Chemical Properties, Bonding, and Forces is the first in the general chemistry sequence and is offered in C term.

It is recommended that students continue with their foundational coursework in Computer Science and/or Data Science in the spring semester of their first year. Students may also wish to explore courses related to the concentration of their choice.

Computer Science Foundations

The Object-Oriented Design requirement for the AI major can be fulfilled by CS 2102 Object-Oriented Design Concepts or CS 2119 Application Building With Object-Oriented Concepts in D term. Students should review the course descriptions and recommended backgrounds of these courses and select an object-oriented design course that aligns with their background and interest. Students considering a double major should consider if one of these courses is better suited for the other major they are considering.

CS 2119 Application Building with Object-Oriented Concepts is only available in D term and is the recommended object-oriented design course for students who took CS 1004 for their introductory programming course.

CS 1004 Introduction to Programming for Non-majors is also offered in D term. Students who have not yet taken an introductory programming course can take this course in D term.

CS 2223 Algorithms is also offered in D term and is required for the AI major. It has a recommended background of object-oriented design and discrete math. 

Data Science Foundations

DS 1010 Data Science I: Introduction To Data Science is the first in the Data Science sequence. Students who have not started their Data Science foundation can take this course in D term. 

DS 2010 Data Science II: Statistical Modeling and Analysis is second in the Data Science sequence. It is not recommended that students take this course until they have successfully completed DS 1010, Statistics, and CS coursework at the 1000 and 2000-level. 

Concentration Course

The AI major offers 11 concentrations from students to choose from, and students are required to complete 6 courses from their concentration. Please refer to the second page of the tracking sheet to learn more about the concentration options.

Students who have started their Computer Science and their Data Science foundations may choose to start taking courses within their concentration in D term. 

AI Majors are required to take five classes in Math throughout their time at WPI: Calculus I and II (MA 1021/1020 and MA 1022/1120), Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and MA 2612), and Matrices and Linear Algebra I (MA 2071 or 2072). 

It is recommended that you continue with math in the spring semester. Students who wish to take the semester-long version of Calculus II (MA 1120) should take this course over C and D terms.

MA 2611 Applied Statistics I has a recommended background of MA 1022 Calculus II. Students who have credit for MA 1021 and 1022 already may choose to take MA 2611 in D term. MA 2612 Applied Statistics II is also offered in D term for students who have taken Calculus I, Calculus II, and Applied Stats I already.

Alternatively, students may take MA 2071 Matrices and Linear Algebra I in D term.

• Please note: Additional Math courses beyond what is required for the AI major will count as Free Electives, or may fulfill concentration requirements for AI majors pursuing the Optimization and Decision Theory Concentration. Students planning to double major should consider if additional math is required for their other major. 

Students who have complete their math requirement may look to take a basic/engineering science or a concentration course; review the other menu options in D term for guidance on these courses. 

Your third course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Basic Science Course. More information on these courses can be found below.

Humanities and Arts

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

• Art/Art History (AR)
• Music (MU)
• Theatre (TH)
• Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
  • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
  • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
  • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
  • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
• Literature (EN)
• Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
• History (HI)
• Humanities (HU)
• International and Global Studies (INTL)
• Philosophy (PY)
• Religion (RE)

Social Science

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

• Development (DEV)
• Economics (ECON)
• Environmental Studies (ENV)
• Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
• Psychology (PSY)
• System Dynamics (SD)
• Sociology (SOC)
• Social Science (SS)
• Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Basic Science

The AI major requires 2 courses in a basic or engineering science. Students may choose to take basic sciences in the spring semester.

It is recommended that students consider which concentration within the AI major they wish to pursue and identify if the courses within that concentration require a certain science background. For example, concentrations in engineering (like Electrical and Computer Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Built & Natural Environment, etc.) may require courses that have recommended backgrounds in Physics, and concentrations in life sciences (Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Life Sciences & Molecular Biochemistry, etc.) may require courses/background in Chemistry.

Consider the following basic science options for D term.

• Physics: PH 1120 General Physics - Electricity and Magnetism is the second in the general physics sequence and has a recommended background of differential and integral calculus (MA 1021 and 1022) mechanics (PH 1110/1111).

  The traditional PH 1120 is taught in three one-hour lectures, two one-hour conferences, and two hours of labs per week. If you prefer more “seeing and doing,” and learning in groups with other students in class, you may want to opt into the “studio style” version of the course in which class time will include a brief summary lecture, hands-on activities, and group problem solving. Studio-style courses often require more work outside of class before a topic is covered to be ready for the activities in the classroom, whereas traditional-style courses often require more work outside of class after a topic is covered to review and practice on your own (or with other students). The total amount of work outside of class turns out to be about the same between the two styles. Studio-style physics consists of two two-hour active learning sessions, a one-hour session for review problems or exams, and the same two-hour session of labs per week. The section numbers for studio-style physics are DS01 or DS02.
   

• Chemistry: CH 1020 Chemical Reactions is the second course in the general chemistry sequence and is offered in D term. Students should only take CH 1020 if they have completed CH 1010.