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 come from 1st-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 1st-year modules for the Bachelor of Creative Technology and AI (CTAI).

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for Exchange Students

No prerequisites. You follow courses of the first year CTAI.

Prerequisites for All Students

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.

Course overview autumn

Find the course unit descriptions for this programme (course catalogue) here. (select: TAAL: English - OPLEIDING: 1ba Creative Technologies and Artificial Intelligence MCT ENG - 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.

Data Science (6ECTS)

Data Science prepares you for the AI-world by properly introducing you to statistics and data magic and analytics. This way, no dataset ever contains any secrets for you anymore.

Basic Programming (6ECTS)

Taking the first steps in the world of programming using the Basic Programming course. We chose for Python to prepare you for the AI-world ahead in the coming semesters. Everthing from variables to inheritance in objects and classes, over to loops and recursive programming is all tackled in this course.

Data Management (6ECTS)

In the course of Datamanagement, you learn all about SQL databases and how to set them up correctly according to the best practices currently in the field.

AI Applied Maths (6ECTS)

In AI Applied Maths, you will learn concepts such as Binary operations, the famous A Algorithms*, Vectors, Matrices and more mathematical concepts.

AI Concepts (3ECTS)

This course of 3 studycredits will talk about the ethics around AI, where practical sessions such as MidJourney, DALL-E, GPT and even creating AI-models in no-code options are possible.

Computer Networks (3ECTS)

More info to follow

Basic Dutch for Exchange Students (3ECTS) - optional course

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 course

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

Sensors & Interfacing (6 ECTS)

Sensors and Interacing is the first course which will teach you about the basics of interfacing with hardware. You will learn about the basics of sensors and how to program them. You will also learn about the basics of interfacing with hardware such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi and ESP32 microcontrollers.

Machine Learning & AI (6 ECTS)

IoT and machine learning are driving the fourth industrial revolution, automating jobs and creating IT opportunities in smart algorithm integration. Understanding algorithm functionality for selection, training, evaluation, and tuning is crucial.

Containers & Orchestration (6 ECTS)

Simplify and scale complex application management (virtualization, etc.) with containerization and orchestration. This module covers Docker basics, Dockerfiles, Compose for services, and large-scale Kubernetes deployment.

Data Visualisation (6 ECTS)

More info to follow

Project One (6 ECTS)

A first project as a Bachelor of Creative Tech & AI focusses on building a simple AI project.

Note: This course is also taught in the regular MCT bachelor, where it exists in all tracks. For the Bachelor of Creative Technologies & AI, this has been slightly adapted to suit their needs.