University of Dayton Builds AI Into Core Curriculum for All Students
The University of Dayton is requiring all first-year students to take two courses on artificial intelligence starting this fall, embedding AI literacy into its undergraduate program before students specialize in their majors.
The first course, AI Fundamentals, teaches how the technology works and how to use it effectively. The second, Human Dignity in the Era of AI, examines ethical questions and societal impact. Together they create a shared foundation that students build on throughout their four years.
"Our students will graduate ready to lead in an AI-enabled world, with the skills and agility to stay ahead as technology rapidly evolves throughout their careers," said Meghan Henning, professor and senior assistant provost for undergraduate curriculum and student success.
Field-Specific Applications in Year Two and Beyond
In the second year, a redesigned writing seminar explores how AI is changing research, writing, and knowledge creation across professions. Students then apply these concepts in discipline-specific classes tailored to their fields.
Education majors take a seminar on AI and lesson planning. Marketing students use AI to build real campaigns for companies like Brooks Running. Engineering students use AI to visualize equations and test variables in wind tunnel design.
The approach differs from simply automating routine work. "When they enter the workforce, they will stand out because they've learned to use AI to increase their skillset, not just automate their work," said Sidaard Gunasekaran, Hans von Ohain Chair in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
AI as a Learning Tool, Not a Replacement
Faculty are also building AI tools to support student learning. Economics Associate Professor Marlon Williams created an AI tutor trained on his video lectures and exams that helps students think through problems at any hour. Eighty-seven percent of students found it useful, and 74 percent said it improved their grades.
Other tools adapt materials to individual learning styles-turning dense readings into podcasts for students who learn better by listening.
"What will set our students apart isn't their ability to reproduce information, but how deeply they understand their field and how well they can think critically and creatively about real-world issues," Williams said.
Employers Notice the Difference
Career services staff say the ability to discuss AI experience is now a competitive advantage in job interviews. "It's not just about saying you've used it," said Jason Eckert, executive director of career services. "It's about showing how you used these tools during internships and classwork to solve problems."
For educators looking to integrate AI into their own teaching, resources on AI for Education and the AI Learning Path for Teachers offer structured approaches to curriculum development and classroom implementation.
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