University of Alabama trustees approve new bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence; several curriculum changes announced

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees on Nov. 7 approved a new Bachelor of Science degree in artificial intelligence intended to prepare students for jobs across health care, finance and technology sectors.

President Peter Moller presented the proposal, saying the undergraduate program will provide ‘‘essential technical knowledge and the practical skills to succeed in the field of artificial intelligence and data science.’’ He told trustees the curriculum will also prepare students who wish to continue to graduate study.

The committee moved, seconded and approved the degree without recorded dissents.

Why it matters: Trustees and administrators framed the degree as part of a broader push to expand data science and AI capacity across the University of Alabama System. During the same meeting the System Office presented three UA information items: a concentration in digital consumer engagement that will replace an existing minor and begin in fall 2026; a post‑baccalaureate certificate in instructional design meant for holders of any bachelor’s degree and completable in as few as six months; and the deletion of the University’s PhD in applied mathematics from UA’s inventory after the program transitioned from joint to cooperative status.

On the PhD deletion, Senior Vice Chancellor Tanjaneer Johnson said the university’s mathematics faculty favored a single mathematics doctoral pathway and that the joint-to-cooperative transition increased the risk of internal duplication; UAB and UAH will continue their cooperative doctoral offerings in mathematics.

Details that remain: The board approved the AI degree as an individual action item; implementation timelines, program credit-hour specifics and the exact course list were described in board materials but were not read into the public record during the presentation. The information items state the digital consumer engagement concentration will include existing courses plus one new course and is planned for fall 2026; the post‑baccalaureate certificate will apply toward the UA master’s in instructional technology if students later enroll (an additional 15 credit hours would then be required).

What’s next: The university will move forward with curriculum and scheduling steps required to enroll students in the new AI major and to implement the other UA changes in the stated timelines.