AI Inside: Degree Programs with Integrated Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a profound impact on all aspects of work and life. This impact will only grow in the future. To help shape this future, as a student at OST, you can learn the fundamental concepts, opportunities, and challenges of applied artificial intelligence. The foundation is provided by modules and specializations within your chosen degree programs. AI as an opportunity: Use AI to develop solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow.
Course Modules on Artificial Intelligence
Starting in the third semester, all bachelor’s students take modules in the Interdisciplinary Context Program (IKTS). To do so, they choose from a selection of approximately 40 required-elective modules and earn at least three ECTS credits.
The following modules with a focus on “Applied Artificial Intelligence” are offered:
All degree programs involving AI
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Perception and Representation 3.1
As part of the “Perception and Representation 3.1” module, bachelor's students receive an introduction to the field of “AI and Architecture.”
BSc in Civil Engineering
BIM Implementation and BIM Collaboration
As part of the BIM implementation and BIM collaboration course, students are taught the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI).
About the Course Content and Structure
BSc in Business Administration
Artificial intelligence is firmly integrated into various modules of the Business Administration program. Students analyze its impact on marketing and data protection, actively work with AI tools, and practice their scientifically sound application in practical projects and assignments. In addition, AI courses are offered at partner universities as part of summer schools or study abroad semesters.
BSc in Digital Design
In-depth exploration of ‘AI Augmentation’
Modern tools utilising artificial intelligence speed up today’s design process and enable prototypes to be created and tested quickly. These technologies have now become an integral part of product development. In the specialisation AI Augmentation of the Bachelor’s degree programme Digital Design, students learn how to apply AI specifically within the development process. The course covers how AI can be used in user research, the creative process and prototyping to design user-friendly and innovative solutions.
BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering ECE
The ECE degree programme is one of the pioneers in AI in Switzerland. In 2012, it became the first university of applied sciences in Switzerland to introduce the ‘Computer Vision’ module, which focuses on AI in computer vision. The ‘Statistical Machine Learning’ module was introduced in 2015 and the ‘Deep Learning’ module in 2018, both of which were firsts for a university of applied sciences in Switzerland. The ‘Artificial Intelligence’ profile/major has been available since 2018.
BSc in Occupational Therapy
Health technologies, including artificial intelligence, are firmly embedded in the Occupational Therapy degree programme. In modules such as Digital Health and the specialisation in AI and Health Technologies, students acquire key technological and critical-ethical skills. These include, amongst other things, the fundamentals of data science and e-health. The focus is on the development, implementation and critical, ethically informed evaluation of technology-based and AI-supported occupational therapy applications, with the active involvement of clients.
Discover the modules in the Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy
BSc in Computer Science
Vertiefung in «Artificial Intelligence»
Specialisation in ‘Artificial Intelligence’
On the Bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, students learn how to train AI models, use them safely and integrate them responsibly into practical applications. This computer science degree combines software engineering with modern AI technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, NLP and computer vision.
This is complemented by key social issues such as ethics, legal frameworks, communication and user-centred AI. A strong practical component, featuring a wide range of team projects, provides students with the best possible preparation for a successful career in the field of artificial intelligence.
BSc in Landscape Architecture
In the Bachelor’s degree programme in Landscape Architecture, artificial intelligence is specifically integrated into the curriculum: from a conceptual introduction in Design 1, through AI-assisted image processing in Design 3, to AI-based image generation and AI integration in common software in the Project Implementation 1 and 2 modules. Throughout the programme, AI is taught and utilised as a practical tool across various modules.
BSc in Management and Law
Artificial intelligence is bringing about lasting changes to working practices within the legal profession. In the Management and Law degree programme at OST – University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, the associated implications are addressed in numerous modules and in the specialisation in IT Governance & Security. Students also work with AI in practice and practise the correct, scientifically sound use of the tools, for example in practical projects or in academic work.
BSc in Mechanical Engineering | Innovation
Digitalisation Profile
In the Digitalisation specialisation, you will complement mechanical engineering with key skills in computer science, artificial intelligence and data engineering. The Digitalisation specialisation covers the key concepts of digitalisation in industry, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive maintenance. Students learn to design complex cyber-physical systems and to apply digitalisation tools in a targeted manner to develop and solve engineering problems. To this end, this specialisation builds on key elements of computer science and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.
BSc in Mechatronics
Specialisation in Data Engineering and Industrial AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in every aspect of our digital lives. From social media feeds and playlists of our favourite songs to weather forecasts: nothing works without a bit of AI magic. Not only does it make our lives smarter, but it can also help make the world a better place: more sustainable, economically efficient and socially fairer.
BSc in Nursing
The integration of health technologies, including artificial intelligence, is a central component of the nursing degree programme. The focus is on applications designed to ensure patient safety and on their use in academic research. Students develop skills at the interface with other specialist groups and equip themselves to support other members of their teams in the future. The critical examination and engagement with new health technologies ensures a professional approach in nursing practice.
BSc in Physiotherapy
In the physiotherapy degree programme, the Data Science course, amongst other things, serves as a key link to modern technologies. Students learn the fundamentals of AI and machine learning in order to identify specific applications for physiotherapy. The focus is on data preparation and the evaluation of algorithm performance in a therapeutic context. This training enables students to make effective use of digital innovations to support evidence-based practice.
BSc in Social Work
Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing about lasting change in social work and opening up new possibilities. In reporting, for example, it can take on administrative tasks, thereby freeing up more time for professionals to focus on building direct relationships with people. At the same time, a critical approach to AI is essential in social work – particularly with regard to data protection and the risk of prejudices being perpetuated online. During their social work studies, students learn to view AI as a useful tool, but also to critically examine its limitations and risks to ensure that the use of AI remains compatible with the core values of social work. The compulsory elective module ‘Social Work and Artificial Intelligence’ covers the fundamentals and potential applications of AI in social work.
BSc in Urban, Transport and Spatial Planning
Planning methodology 4
As part of the ‘Planning Methodology 4’ module, students are given a double lesson introducing them to artificial intelligence (AI).
AI Input
In the ‘AI Input’ module, students are given an introduction to AI.
BSc in Business Informatics
Data Science und Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an integral part of the Bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics at OST. Students have the opportunity to explore AI through specialised modules, our practical projects and as part of their Bachelor’s thesis. AI plays a role throughout the course, and some modules focus exclusively on this topic. In the ‘Data Science and Artificial Intelligence’ module, for example, you learn the basics of AI and gain an insight into how artificial intelligence actually works.
BSc in Industrial Engineering
Major Data Science and Operations
The Major in Data Science and Operations provides you with an in-depth understanding of how to use data and methodologies to design efficient and sustainable business processes.
Master’s degree programmes in applied artificial intelligence
Applied Artificial Intelligence is covered in the following modules for students at OST:
MSc Business Administration
The subject of applied artificial intelligence is covered in several modules within the Master’s programme in Business Administration.
MSc in Social Work
Advanced module: Decision-making – Justification – Accountability
In this module, Master’s students are introduced to ‘AI and Social Work’.
MSc in Business Informatics
In the OST’s Master’s programme in Business Informatics, students learn to apply artificial intelligence strategically and in a practical manner to promote innovation and value creation within organisations. They gain an understanding of how current AI technologies can be used to develop new business models, optimise processes or support data-driven decision-making. Building on this, they design AI-supported information systems. In modules such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Business Intelligence, they explore the fundamental principles, applications and implications of AI in greater depth, whilst other modules focus on topics such as governance and IT security. Through project work, students design concrete, AI-based solutions with measurable benefits for businesses.
Course structure