What is an AI Engineer?

An AI Engineer develops AI software, using simple regressions, complex deep learning and state-of-the-art reinforcement learning models. But this program goes further than developing AI Models: you develop a full backend and API to convert the power of AI into an innovative solution and learn the ins and outs of deploying your solution in an agile manner. Unique courses like “AI For Healthcare” show how to apply your skills in a specific context.

So if you want to be a data scientist with excellent software skills, a full stack AI Software Engineer or an innovative data Engineer this ET autumn semester/year is a great start.

NOTE: The courses for this English-taught semester only available for exchange students from Howest partner universities come from 3rd-year modules for the Bachelor of Creative Technology and AI (CTAI).

This programme is only available in English.

Howest - Bachelor Creative Technologies & AI

What makes this semester unique?

IoT and machine learning are the driving forces of the fourth industrial revolution that is rapidly transforming the world as we know it today.
This will inevitably lead to a (nature) shift in the labor market. Many (repetitive jobs) will be taken over by AI applications.
There will be enormous opportunities for IT professionals with knowledge of machine learning who can integrate smart algorithms and system.
In hands-on sessions you’ll acquire the advanced software skills you must master (e.g. containers, Linux…) as an AI Engineer
The courses for this English-taught semester come from 3rd-year modules for the Bachelor of Creative Technology and AI (CTAI).

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for Exchange Students

Minimum 3 successfully completed semesters or an equivalent of 90-ECTS as part of a Bachelor in Computer Science. In this semester programme, prior knowledge and experience is mandatory.

Prerequisites for All Students

Statistics:

Being familiar with the following statistical concepts:

Central tendency: mean, median, mode
Variability: variance, standard deviation
Probability distributions: binomial distribution, poisson distribution and the normal distributions
Correlation (of bi-variate data)
Simple linear regression
Doing simple predictions on time series: moving average, exponential smoothing

You can find online courses as a refresher e.g. Online course

Python programming (for data science):

Having basic Python programming knowledge:

variables
Python lists & dictionaries
conditions: if statements
loops
Python functions

You can find online courses, e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfscVS0vtbw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uQrJ0TkZlc

Being able to use some data science libraries in Python:

Pandas
Numpy
Matplotlib
Online course

Project management experience is recommended (not mandatory) e.g. WBS, SCRUM, Waterfall, …

All students need to bring their own laptop. We review our laptop requirements annually to ensure they match the software and tools used in the program. Based on this evaluation, we publish updated specifications for the upcoming academic year. These recommendations help students choose a device that meets the demands of their coursework. You can use your preferred operating system: Windows, Linux or Mac OS X.

More details about minimum requirements for laptops can be found on https://www.howest.be/en/hardware?diploma=57&opleiding=523

The course overview mentions any specific software necessary for the course unit. Howest applies a very strict policy on the use of legal software.

Click here for Howest language expectations.

Prerequisites for MLOps course

You need prior knowledge of Docker.

Course overview autumn

Find the course unit descriptions (COURSE CATALOGUE) for this programme here. Select: TAAL: English - OPLEIDING: 3ba Creative Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Multimedia en creatieve technologie MCT - ACADEMIEJAAR: current academic year

To ensure full engagement, you need to attend all classes of the AI ETS (Fundamentals, Intermediate, or Advanced) you select. Therefore, combining classes from different AI ETS in your learning agreement is not permitted. Remember that a semester's workload is capped at 30 ECTS. If you wish to take an optional course of the list below, you'll need to remove another course to stay within this limit.

Generative AI (6ECTS)

Generative AI models are extremely important nowadays. In this course, we will apply them in real life situations and explore the different possibilities.

Robotics & Edge AI (6ECTS)

Robotics contain specific limited hardware and certain different protocols to program with. In this course, you will learn about the basics of robotics and how to program them. The combination of Edge AI makes these robots even more powerful.

Innovation & Research Project (12ECTS)

You complete a research project for a company. The projects are situated in the context of AI & machine learning. Is this only desk research? Of course not: you are required to prove what you state with a working prototype. Challenging!

MLOps (6ECTS)

This module focuses on taking AI models from development to real-world applications. You'll learn how to deploy trained Machine Learning and Deep Learning models in the Cloud using CI/CD pipelines.

We'll explore how end-users interact with these models through front-end applications, which then communicate with scalable back-end systems powered by GPUs and managed by Kubernetes. This environment utilizes Docker containers for efficient operation. You'll also learn to automate the deployment process using scripting tools like Python and PowerShell.

Basic Dutch for Exchange Students (3ECTS) - optional

Through short, lively lesson units, you will learn basic Dutch grammar along with typical expressions and introductory vocabulary to help you during your stay in Kortrijk and Flanders. This language course is complementary to the Strong Belgium Stories lessons and gives additional insights into Flemish and Belgian society and culture.

This course is optional.

Strong Belgium Stories (6ECTS) - optional

Learn about Belgian storytelling through key themes (heritage, arts, EU, sports, chocolate & beer) explored with international journalism students. The course includes visits, expert insights, and assignments linking tourism and journalism to Belgian culture. Please note that this course costs between 150 and 170 euro extra for travel and tours. All excursions are required.

This course is optional.

Course overview spring

Find the course unit descriptions for this programme (course catalogue) here. (select: TAAL: English - OPLEIDING: 3ba Creative Technologies and Artificial Intelligence MCT ENG - ACADEMIEJAAR: current academic year)

Spring semester courses can only be taken up in combination with autumn semester study.

Advanced AI (6 ECTS)

Building on your ML/DL foundation, this module dives into advanced AI applications: computer vision, NLP, generative networks, belief networks, and MIMO systems.

You'll also learn and implement reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning – self-learning systems used in robotics, optimization, games, autonomous vehicles, and recommendations.

Finally, we'll explore optimization and simulation techniques to boost AI performance and provide hands-on experience with state-of-the-art AI frameworks.

Internship (24 ECTS)

This 15-week internship offers a chance to apply your AI knowledge in a real company setting, working on business projects or research.

Before starting, a signed agreement outlines your tasks and expected outcomes. We ensure the company provides professional guidance, a dedicated workspace, and a challenging assignment.

Throughout the internship, you'll have two supervisors: a company mentor for daily guidance and a program supervisor for remote support based on your internship report.