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Bachelor of Science in

Artificial Intelligence - Engineering Stream
Develop transformative AI technologies for applications that impact industry and human society.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (B.Sc. AI) program is a first-of-its-kind AI degree designed for those who want to lead, innovate, and push boundaries. It provides the skills, networks, and experiences to make an impact on day one. The program offers two distinct tracks – one for those who want to engineer AI solutions and one for those who wish to harness AI’s power for business transformation.

Students can choose between two program streams: Engineering and Business. While both focus on applying artificial intelligence (AI) to real-world problems, the Engineering stream provides a deeper technical understanding of how AI works, including its mechanisms, strengths, and limitations.

  • icon Full time Mode
  • icon 120 Credits
  • icon On Campus Location

Meet the faculty

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Hao Li 

Director of the MBZUAI Metaverse Center and Professor of Computer Vision 

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Michalis Vazirgiannis 

Assistant Professor of Computational Biology

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Elizabeth Churchill

Department Chair Professor of Human-Computer Interaction

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Hanan Aldarmaki 

Assistant Professor of Natural Language Processing 

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Eduardo da Veiga Beltrame

Assistant Professor of Computational Biology 

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Gus Xia

Associate Professor of Machine Learning 

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Alham Fikri 

Assistant Professor of Natural Language Processing 

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Marco Tempest 

Head of AI Innovation Lab

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Alexander Khanin 

Visiting Senior Lecturer

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All undergraduate lectures at MBZUAI are delivered in English, and the University provides a supportive academic environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

The academic structure includes 28 required and elective courses over six semesters, with students typically enrolling in five courses per semester. There is flexibility to take additional electives at no extra cost, provided academic requirements are met. High-performing students in their first year may also apply to take an additional course in later semesters. Although core courses generally cannot be waived, students who can demonstrate mastery of the course learning outcomes through previous experience may request a review. In rare cases, a waiver may be granted in exchange for completing an additional elective.

Students may switch streams from Engineering to Business, or Business to Engineering within the first year of enrollment if they find their interests shifting.

In the final year, students participate in a full-time cooperative education program, working in industry placements instead of attending traditional classes. MBZUAI’s Career and Internship team assists in securing these placements, working with a network of employers to ensure meaningful and academically aligned co-op experiences. Students may also secure placements through internships, sponsorships, or personal connections, with support from the Careers team.

MBZUAI ensures students are well-prepared academically by offering non-credit bridge courses in Math and English to those who need them. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides tutoring, faculty office hours, and study support, and will be fully operational by the time the first undergraduate cohort arrives. Additionally, each student will receive a laptop to support their academic work throughout the program.

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) fully accredits MBZUAI and is internationally recognized for its focus on artificial intelligence education and research. The University meets global academic and industry standards and maintains active partnerships with leading universities and research institutions worldwide, offering students exchange programs, internships, collaborative research opportunities, and valuable global connections. 

The program learning outcomes (PLOs) are aligned with the Emirates Qualifications Framework and, as such, are divided into the following learning outcomes strands: Knowledge, Skills, Responsibility.

By the end of the program, you will be able to:

PLO 01: AI Applications and Ethics: Analyze the capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications of AI to design responsible and impactful solutions for domain-specific challenges. QF Emirates: Knowledge and Skill
PLO 02: Model Development and Deployment: Develop, train, and implement AI models and solutions using advanced tools and technologies for practical, real-world applications. QF Emirates: Skill
PLO 03: Interdisciplinary Innovation: Apply AI creatively across fields such as the arts, humanities, and business, fostering innovation through interdisciplinary and human-centric approaches. QF Emirates: Skill
PLO 04: Entrepreneurial Problem Solving: Identify opportunities for AI-driven innovation in businesses and organizations, design entrepreneurial solutions that generate value, and develop skills in deploying those solutions in the real world. QF Emirates: Skill and Responsibility
PLO 05: Leadership and Vision: Lead AI-driven projects with creativity, strong ethical frameworks, and a visionary mindset, addressing emerging challenges and driving sustainable growth. QF Emirates: Responsibility
PLO 06: Effective Communication: Communicate complex AI concepts, applications, and solutions effectively to diverse audiences, including technical teams, stakeholders, and the general public. QF Emirates: Skill and Responsibility

Basic program outline

You will take five 3-credit courses per semester for the first two years. During the summer following their second year, you will be required to complete a 6-credit internship in the UAE or abroad.

In the third year you are required to take four 3-credit courses per semester, but may take a fifth 3-credit course either or both semester for enrichment or remedial purposes.

In the fourth year, you will be off-site working full-time in a co-op experience with a private company, start-up, governmental organization, or academic institution. Through this career-related placement, we expect you will learn practical work skills that tie your academic preparation to real-world problem solving. MBZUAI anticipates that many of these co-op placements will lead to full-time job opportunities after graduation.  

Students are required to complete all B.Sc. in AI program requirements within four (4) years. The minimum degree requirements are 120 credits, distributed as follows:

Courses Number of Courses Credit Hours
General education 7 21
Math core 2 6
AI core 6 18
Engineering core 5 15
Business core 1 3
Engineering electives 5 15
Business electives 2 6
Internship 1 6
Industry cooperatives 2 30

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
7 GE1005 - Communication: The Power of Words 
GE1010 - Entrepreneurship: The Founder’s Playbook 
GE2005 - The Emirati Spirit: From Deep Roots to a Bold Future 

AND Select 1 from the list below (Ethics): 
GE2310 - Minds, Machines, and Morality: Philosophy in the Age of AI 
GE2312 - Data Privacy and Security 
GE2314 - Ethics and Law in AI 
GE2316 - AI and Humanity

AND Select 1 from the list below (Social Science):
GE2410 - AI and Politics 
GE2412 - Governing with AI 

AND Select 1 from the list below (Science):
GE2510 - Human vs. Artificial Intelligence 
GE2512 - AI for Sustainable Living 
GE2514 - Applied AI for Scientific Discovery 

AND Select 1 from the list below (Arts & Humanities Science):
GE2610 - Digital Humanities 
GE2612 - Building the Metaverse 

This course provides a broad overview of bioinformatics for single cell omics technologies, a new and fast-growing family of biological assays that enables measuring the molecular contents of individual cells with very high resolution and is key to advancing precision medicine. The course starts with an accessible introduction to basic molecular biology: the cell structure, the central dogma of molecular biology, the flow of biological information in the cell, the different types of molecules in the cell, and how we can measure them. This course then introduces students to the diverse landscape of biological data, including its types and characteristics and explores the foundational principles of single-cell omics bioinformatics, encompassing key methodologies, tools, and computational workflows, with an emphasis on the development of foundation models for single cell omics data

21

Number of Courses Courses Credit hours
2 AI1110 - Calculus & Linear Algebra: The Math that Powers AI 
AI1120 - Probability & Statistics: The Math of Uncertainty 

This course provides the students a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence. It builds upon fundamental concepts in machine learning. Students will learn about supervised and unsupervised learning, various learning algorithms, and the basics of the neural network, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.

6

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
6 ENG1010 - Algorithms & Data Structures 
ENG2010 - DevOps in the Cloud: Speed Automation & Deployment 
ENG2020 - Natural Language Processing: The Language of AI 
ENG2030 - Generative AI: Machines that Create 
ENG3010 - Data Science from Numbers to Knowledge

Course description: Master’s thesis research exposes students to an unsolved research problem, where they are required to propose new solutions and contribute towards the body of knowledge. Students pursue an independent research study, under the guidance of a supervisory panel, for a period of one (1) year. Master’s thesis research helps train graduates to pursue more advanced research in their Ph.D. degree. Further, it enables graduates to independently pursue an industrial project involving research component independently.

18

Number of Courses Courses Credit hours
1 BUS2010 - Project Management: From Vision to Execution

Assumed knowledge: Prior to undertaking an internship, students must have successfully completed 24 credit hours. 

Course description: The MBZUAI Internship (up to six weeks) with industry is intended to provide the student with hands-on experience, blending practical experiences with academic learning. 

3

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
5 Select 5 from the list below:
ENG2310 - The Creator’s Toolkit: Multimedia Production and Design
ENG2315 - Human Computer Interaction: Designing User-Friendly Systems
ENG2320 - Synthetic Data in the Generative AI Era
ENG2325 - Databases: Organizing, Storing, and Scaling Data
ENG2330 - The Data Gold Rush: Web Scraping and Data Mining
ENG2335 - Computer Vision: Machines that See
ENG2405 - Prompt Engineering: Optimizing AI Responses
ENG2420 - Data Communication and Networks: Connecting the Digital World
ENG2425 - From LLMs to Chatbots: Methods and Engineering
ENG2430 - From Data to Decisions: The Power of Data Visualization
ENG2440 - Medical Imaging and AI Healthcare: Algorithms that Save Lives
ENG2445 - Robotics: Rise of the Machines
ENG2510 - Speech Recognitions and Synthesis: Talking to Machines
ENG3310 - Reinforcement Learning
ENG3410 - Beyond Reality
ENG3420 - Big Data: Taming the Data Tsunami
15

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
2 Select 2 from the list below:
BUS2015 - Teamwork and Leadership: Building High-Performance Teams
BUS2020 - Marketing and Public Relations: Building Brands and Driving Influence
BUS3015 - AI Business Case Studies: Insights, Best Practices and Market Impact
BUS3020 - Business Strategy: Crafting Competitive Advantage
BUS2315 - AI Product Design and Development: From Concept to Creation
BUS2320 - E-Commerce from Scratch: Designing, Launching, and Scaling Digital Marketplaces
BUS2325 - Innovate and Create: Design Thinking for Business
BUS3310 - AI and Fin Tech: The Digital Revolution in Banking and Investment
BUS3315 - Augmented Intelligence: Unlocking Human-AI Synergy
BUS3320 - AI-Powered Supply Chain: Reducing Costs and Maximizing Speed
6

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
1 AI2990 - Internship Experience: Real World Readiness 6

Number of Courses Courses Credit Hours
2 AI4990 - Coop Experience I: Learning by Doing in the Real World 
AI4995 - Coop Experience II: Learning by Doing in the Real World
30

SEMESTER 1

AI1010 - Thinking Machines
AI1020 - Computers and the Web
AI1030 - Python Programming
AI1110 - Calculus & Linear Algebra
GE1010 - Entrepreneurship

SEMESTER 2

AI1120 - Probability & Statistics
AI1215 - Machine Learning
AI1220 - Code without Limits
ENG 1010 - Algorithms & Data Structures
GE 1005 - Communication

SEMESTER 3

AI1250 - Deep Learning 
ENG2010 - Dev Ops & the Cloud
ENG2020 - Natural Language Processing Business Elective
General Education Elective 

SEMESTER 4

BUS2010 - Project Management 
ENG2030 - Generative AI
GE2005 - The Emirati Spirit Engineering Elective 
Business Elective

SUMMER

AI2990 - Internship Experience

SEMESTER 5

ENG3010 - Data Science
Engineering Elective 
Engineering Elective 
Engineering Elective 

SEMESTER 6

Engineering Elective 
Engineering Elective 
General Education Elective
General Education Elective

SEMESTER 7

AI4995 - Coop Experience 1

SEMESTER 8

AI4995 - Coop Experience 2

MBZUAI is seeking the next generation of AI leaders. To apply, the students should demonstrate:

 
Mathematical fluency
The students should demonstrate this fluency through strong high school results in math and science courses, particularly at the most advanced levels offered by their high school. Alternatively (or additionally), this fluency can be documented through high scores on quantitative standardized test results such as SAT Math. 
 
Effective communication skills
Strong communication skills can be showcased through high school excellence in subjects like English or drama, as well as involvement in debating or theater, both in class and through extracurricular activities. Students are also required to submit a brief video outlining their interest in MBZUAI’s program, their goals, and how they plan to apply their knowledge.
 
Leadership and /or entrepreneurial aptitude
Leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit are critical to thrive in our program. Students can demonstrate this by showing examples of having taken on leadership roles in school activities, through volunteering initiatives, or involvement in businesses or enterprises.
 
Computer programming familiarity
Previous coding experience is not required to enter the program. If coding competency can be demonstrated through GitHub or other open-source engagement. In that case, it will give the student a competitive advantage for admission and potentially exempt you from elementary programming courses.
 
English proficiency
High school grades demonstrating strong communication skills may be sufficient to prove English proficiency. However, if their high school education was in a language other than English or if their English grades are not strong, they will need to show sufficient English fluency. The simplest way to do this is by submitting standardized test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL (with a minimum score of 6.5 for IELTS or 90 for TOEFL IBT).

1. Gather the documents: Prepare all required documents and links 
2. Submit the application: Complete the online application in one sitting 
3. Attend an interview: If shortlisted, the student will be invited for an assessment interview 
4. Accept the offer: Start the journey at MBZUAI.
 
Documentation requirements:

  • Academic records – Submit a high school certificate with course grades or provisional results.
  • Personal statement – Student is to record a three-minute video highlighting their passion for AI, its societal impact, and their career aspirations.
  • Resume – Provide a detailed resume that showcases the student’s academic background, achievements, and relevant work experience.
  • Recommendations – include up to two teachers, mentors, or supervisors as references.
  • Technical portfolio – Students to share their GitHub or relevant URLs showcasing their AI projects and technical expertise.
  • Extra-Curricular Achievements – Highlight competitions, awards, leadership roles, or volunteer work that demonstrate the student’s skills.

Exceptional talent track: 
The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence also incorporates an exceptional talent track for applicants who have an extraordinary track record of achievement in various domains:

  • STEM competitions: International Mathematics Olympiad, American Mathematics Competition, International Olympiad in Informatics, USA Computing Olympiad, TopCoder High School, International Physics Olympiad, etc.
  • Business and innovation competitions: Entrepreneurship competitions, startup achievements, business case competitions.
  • Arts, humanities and sports competitions: World Schools Debating Championship, major arts exhibitions, musical achievements, or a sustained record of achievement in elite sports.

Potential applicants should directly send a CV with details of their achievements to: ug.exceptionaltalent@mbzuai.ac.ae

The final deadline is May 31, 2025, with decisions announced by June 20, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. For inquiries, please email ai.ug@mbzuai.ac.ae. 
 
There are no application fees and no age limit. MBZUAI does not offer transfer credit.  
 
For further information on the admission process, please refer to the MBZUAI website.

Applicants from universities accredited or recognized by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) may be eligible for admission.

 
Admitted students must submit the following within their first semester at the University:

  • Degree certificate and transcript attested by the MoHESR for those who completed their previous degree/s in the UAE.
  • Authenticated degree certificate and transcript and a certificate of recognition from MoHESR for those with degree/s acquired outside the UAE. The authenticity of the academic documents may be obtained from the UAE Embassy in the country of study or through MoHESR’s trusted partners as mentioned on their website.

Prospective students with determination shall not be denied admission due to their disability and will complete the online application form and go through the standard admission process, which is based on their academic qualifications. Those students should comply with the academic program requirements and any other academic regulations. 
 
During the application process, applicants shall declare that they identify as a student of determination. Upon arrival in the UAE and when they receive their Emirates ID, they shall submit their People of Determination number (obtained from the relevant UAE authorities, e.g. TAMM application) to the Registrar’s Office and the Undergraduate Student Affairs office. 
 
The University shall be responsible for providing reasonable and suitable academic accommodations for accepted students with disabilities, as required by current legislation, while maintaining the academic integrity and basic requirements of the programs and courses.

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