Collaborative Specialization in Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc./M.A.Sc.)
Become an expert in one of the world's foremost and fastest-growing areas of technology
The University of Guelph’s Collaborative Specialization in Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) provides thesis-based master’s students with a diverse and comprehensive knowledge base in artificial intelligence (AI). You'll learn from a multidisciplinary team of faculty with expertise in machine learning and deep learning, while conducting AI-related research guided by a faculty supervisor. Through a combination of online learning, lectures, team-based problem-solving and experiential learning opportunities, CSAI is ideal if you want advanced training in AI, machine learning, bioinformatics, neural networks and deep learning, optimization, software engineering, computer vision and other focus areas.
Unique ethical lens
You'll also develop an intimate understanding about the policy, regulatory and ethical issues related to AI and its uses.
Students we attract
Our students come from undergraduate and graduate programs that include: Biostatistics, Computer Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics.
Vector Institute Affiliation
Students become part of the Vector Institute’s community. Benefits include scholarship access, networking and events.
Why pursue an AI collaborative specialization?
A collaborative specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for affiliated graduate programs. Students will deepen their understanding of AI methodologies and applications in their core program, including ethical issues in AI. Graduates are in-demand by government and private industry, in positions that include:
- Machine learning researchers,
- Computer vision engineers,
- Data engineers and data scientists,
- Software engineers,
- Statisticians, and more.
Participating Home Programs
Prospective students must first meet the admission requirements of a participating home program (see: affiliated programs). Once the student is admitted to a home program, their application will be forwarded to the Collaborative Specialization’s Graduate Program Coordinator for review. Our affiliated (thesis-based) programs include:
- Master of Applied Science in Engineering
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Bioinformatics
- M.Sc. in Computer Science
- M.Sc. in Mathematics and Statistics
What Our Students Are Saying
Statistics and artificial intelligence excite me because it is interesting how you can use them to understand the relationship between variables or even make predictions for other observations. I always found enjoyment in analyzing data to answer research questions. The analysis in research is the most exciting part since it is when you find out whether your hypothesis was correct or if there is something else that can be observed in the data. The more I learn about statistics and artificial intelligence, the more excited I get by the potential of it and how it can be used.
"I really enjoyed my undergraduate experience at Guelph, which included multiple research co-op work terms. I was also especially interested in CSAI and my ability to integrate AI with my thesis in the field of Environmental Engineering. My background in Environmental Engineering has lead me to pursue ways of improving our understanding of the complexities involved in environmental systems. Specifically, the goal of my research is to improve our understanding of flooding events, the specific mechanisms leading to these events, and the consequential impacts on human life and the surrounding environment."
Affiliations
Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI)
CARE-AI's mission is to advance multidisciplinary AI training and research and its responsible application to improve life. With their shared focus on AI expertise, research and ethics, CSAI is an affiliate program of CARE-AI. Rather than considering ethics or responsibility as an afterthought at deployment time or thesis time, U of G embeds key issues such as fairness and bias, accountability, transparency and ethics from the start of the student's program in partnership with CARE-AI, beginning with UNIV*6080 Computational Thinking in AI.
In addition to program requirements, CARE-AI hosts event series focused on the "bigger picture" in developing and deploying AI systems. This is a unique forum for grad students, faculty, and community members across all disciplines to engage on these issues.
Vector-recognized Program
The Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence is an independent Canadian not-for-profit corporation dedicated to AI research in partnership with governments, private organizations and universities. CSAI is a Vector Institute affiliated program. Students become part of the Vector Institute’s community of renowned researchers, major Canadian companies, and AI startups solving high-impact problems. Benefits of Vector affiliation include:
- Students enrolled in the AI collaborative specialization are eligible to apply for Vector Scholarships in Artificial Intelligence, valued at $17,500 each.
- Vector-affiliated students have access to career development and networking activities. These opportunities enable students to explore career paths in AI and meet with potential employers.
- Discover career opportunities in Vector's extensive industry network through the Digital Talent Hub, an exclusive online platform that curates AI-related job openings among top Canadian employers.
Information about nomination for scholarships can be found on the Vector Institute website.
Program Information
Contact Us
Program Director and Graduate Program Coordinator:
Graham Taylor
Contact our program support:
csaigrad@uoguelph.ca
