Intro to AI vs Current Trends in CS and IT: Which Covers AI?

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CS 373 vs CS 1403 credits eachNCCRS recommended

Intro to AI vs Current Trends in CS and IT: which one covers AI?

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science 373) is the AI course: intelligent agents, search, neural networks, logic, machine learning, NLP and robotics, with online lab lessons. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT (Computer Science 140) is a survey with one chapter on AI and machine learning, beside IT leadership, databases, data science, IoT and digital currency. Current Trends cannot be bought online right now and is not part of the plans; Introduction to AI is in the plans.

Most AI
Introduction to AI
NCCRS level
AI upper, Current Trends lower
Sold online now
Introduction to AI only

What you learn

From the syllabi: what only one course covers, and where they meet.

Only in Introduction to AI

  • Intelligent agents
  • Search and game strategy
  • Neural networks
  • Logic and knowledge systems
  • NLP and perception
  • Robotics

In both

  • AI and machine learning
  • Technology ethics

Only in Current Trends

  • IT leadership
  • Databases and cloud storage
  • Data mining and big data
  • Data visualization
  • Internet of Things
  • Digital currency

Side by side

Introduction to AI (CS 373) and Current Trends in CS and IT (CS 140), from the two syllabi
 Introduction to AICurrent Trends in CS and IT
Course codeComputer Science 373Computer Science 140
Chapters9 chapters12 chapters
Instructional hours44 hours46 hours
How much AIThe whole courseOne chapter: AI and machine learning
Lab lessonsOnline lab lessonsNone listed
NCCRS recommendationUpper division: AI or Computer ScienceAssociate or lower division: Computer Science or IT
How to get itOnline checkout, or in the plansNot sold online now: email the team
Final exam100 multiple-choice questions

Both are self-paced: quizzes and the assignment are open-book, the final is proctored, and 70 or higher passes.

Which one should you take?

For AI itself, Introduction to AI.

Take Introduction to AI if

  • You want a full course on AI
  • You want search, neural networks, logic and machine learning
  • You need an upper-division computer science course

Take Current Trends if

  • You want a broad survey of today's IT
  • Your program lists a lower-division computer science or IT course
  • You want data science, IoT and digital currency too

Questions, answered

Which course covers AI: Introduction to AI or Current Trends in CS and IT?

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. The whole course is about AI: intelligent agents, search and game strategy, neural networks, logic and reasoning, machine learning, NLP, perception and robotics, and AI ethics, with online lab lessons. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT gives AI and machine learning one chapter, in a survey that also covers IT leadership, databases, data science, visualization, IoT and digital currency.

Is Introduction to AI an upper-division course?

Yes. NCCRS recommends Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for 3 semester hours in the upper division baccalaureate category, in Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT is recommended for 3 semester hours in the associate or lower division category, in Computer Science or Information Technology. Neither syllabus lists a prerequisite.

Can I take Current Trends in CS and IT?

It cannot be bought online right now, and it is not part of the plans or Lifetime. To ask about it, email team@upistudy.com. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence is open for enrollment and is in the plans.

How many credits are Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT?

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, upper division, in Artificial Intelligence among other subjects. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Computer Science among other subjects.

Which subjects can Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT count toward?

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT: Computer Science or Information Technology. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

How long are Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT?

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: 9 chapters and 44 instructional hours. Current Trends in Computer Science and IT: 12 chapters and 46 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

Do Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT have prerequisites?

None: both syllabi leave the prerequisite line empty, so you can begin with Current Trends in Computer Science and IT or take them side by side.

How are the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT final exams set up?

The format is the same in both: a final of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Do Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT have ACE recommendations?

No: neither is on the ACE list. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Artificial Intelligence; Current Trends in Computer Science and IT has an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester hours in Computer Science. Not being on the ACE list never means not recommended for credit.

What if I fail the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence final?

Take it again: a failed Introduction to Artificial Intelligence final comes with one free retake (fail that and you restart the course). A passed final can be retaken too, but the original score stands; for quizzes, the average of your first two attempts counts.

Where is the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence syllabus?

On upistudy.com: the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence syllabus opens after a free sign-in. It lists all 9 chapters, the grading and the credit recommendation, so you can send it to your registrar.

Will Computer Science 373 and Computer Science 140 transfer to my college?

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which courses Computer Science 373 and 140 would count as. For the registrar: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence's NCCRS recommendation lists Artificial Intelligence and Current Trends in Computer Science and IT's NCCRS recommendation lists Computer Science.

Where these credits can go

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.

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  • Indiana Tech logo
  • Columbia Southern University logo
  • University of Arkansas Grantham logo
  • American College of Education logo
  • Nexford University logo
  • Newlane University logo
  • Pathways College logo
  • Dunlap-Stone University logo
  • Woodmont College logo
  • University of Management and Technology (UMT) logo
  • Crestpoint University logo
  • Maestro University (formerly Bottega University) logo
  • Gracelyn University logo
  • EC-Council University logo

Plus many more partner colleges and ACE and NCCRS cooperating colleges.

Find My College →

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Check your college first

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.

Sources (3)

UPI Study facts are from our course catalog, syllabi and course rules.