Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Program Description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) unites disciplines from machine learning to natural language processing and attempts to build artificial systems that have intelligent behavior. The BS(AI) gives the students an in-depth knowledge in computer science, math, statistics, computational modeling, and symbolic computation.

PAF-IAST aspires to lead the world in artificial intelligence education and innovation with collaborative efforts of Department of IT and Computer Science and its excellence center SPCAI (Sino-Pak Center for AI). Our graduates will possess computer science savvy and skills with the added expertise in machine learning as well as automated reasoning which is needed to participate in independent study projects that change the world for the better – in areas like healthcare, transportation, and education.

Why Study at PAF IAST?

Location and Ambience

PAF IAST is nestled in natural mountains that flank its campus from all sides. The institute offers one  ravishing view of snow-capped peaks of Nathiagali and natural winding trails. Furthermore, to its north-west is Tarbela Lake, a journey of only a few kilometers from the campus. Moreover, set in the middle of the campus is a natural lake, fed by the springs of surrounding mountains. The campus is just a 3-kilometer drive from the Hazara Motorway. This results in an ideal setting equally conducive to academic activity. Most importantly, major cities like Islamabad, Abbottabad, are just an hour’s drive, while small towns like Wah, Hasanabadal, Taxila, and Swabi can be reached in just half an hour. All these features make this the best opportunity to get admissions in PAF-IAST. 

Technology Advancement and Foreign Partnership

This institute is an emerging center of excellences, with its own technology park. Therefore, all faculty members hold PhD degrees in appropriate disciplines. By virtue of its wide array of facilities and the facilitation for its students to learn. Furthermore, they benefit both from classroom teaching and faculty trained at premier Austrian universities/institutions. The institution is ideally cut out for imparting state-of–the-art engineering and allied education in Pakistan. Moreover, the institute enjoys close linkages with top ranking universities in Austria and China. As a result, we have already concluded with them formal agreements regarding student and faculty exchange programs, provision of dual degrees in certain areas, and the training support from foreign faculty. 

Academia-Industry Relationship

There is a strong relationship between academia and industry. As a result, this paves the way for job opportunities for students even in the midst of their studies. PAF IAST will serve as a welcome platform for the industry to share their requirements for a skilled workforce. Therefore, this will enable the institute to incorporate their valuable inputs in practical vocational training and expose the students to industrial perspectives.

On-Spot Industry Internship

Firstly, it will be a mandatory requirement for every student to do an internship every semester in an appropriate industry. Secondly, this will garner them practical experience related to their respective degree programs. To crown it all, Technology Park will afford them rare opportunities to apply themselves innovatively and become promising entrepreneurs.

Need and Merit-based Scholarships

Different types of local and foreign scholarship opportunities are available on need and merit base.

Associated Careers

AI is both a science and an engineering discipline that offers a range of applications from ‘smart’ controllers for household devices to computers that can act as the brain of a robot. Our graduates have excellent career prospects in the IT industry and beyond. Graduates will be able to comfortably secure roles such as:

  • AI Engineer, AI Data Analyst, Robotics Scientist, Product Manager, Business Intelligence Analyst/Developer, Big Data Engineer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Software Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Application developer, Web Developer and Programmer.

BSAI Course Curriculum

Intake F21(onward)

Semester 1

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs Total
COMP-102 Introduction to ICT 2   2
COMP-102L Introduction to ICT Lab   1 1
COMP-111 Programming Fundamentals 3   3
COMP-111L Programming Fundamentals Lab   1 1
SS-103 English Language and Communication Skills 3   3
SS-331 Community Service (University Elective-I)*   0 0
SS-111 Islamic Studies 2   2
PHY-101 Applied Physics 3   3
PHY-101L Applied Physics Lab   1 1
  Total Credit Hours 13 3 16

Semester 2

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs Total
COMP-112 Object Oriented Programming 3   3
COMP-112L Object Oriented Programming Lab   1 1
COMP-121 Discrete Structures 3   3
MGT-262 Entrepreneurship (University Elective-II) 3   3
SS-112 Pakistan Studies 2   2
MTH-101 Calculus and Analytical Geometry 3   3
MTH-206 Probability and Statistics 3   3
  Total Credit Hours 17 1 18

Semester 3

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs Total
COMP-201 Data Structures and Algorithms 3   3
COMP-201L Data Structures and Algorithms Lab   1 1
COMP-340 Artificial Intelligence 3   3
COMP-340L Artificial Intelligence Lab   1 1
SS-203 Technical and Business Writing 3   3
EE-101 Digital Logic Design 3   3
EE-101L Digital Logic Design Lab   1 1
  Total Credit Hours 12 3 15

Semester 4

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs Total
COMP-262 Operating Systems 3   3
COMP-262L Operating Systems Lab   1 1
COMP-212 Programming for Artificial Intelligence 2   2
COMP-212L Programming for Artificial Intelligence Lab   1 1
COMP-231 Database Systems 3   3
COMP-231L Database Systems Lab   1 1
COMP-171 Software Engineering 3   3
MTH-204 Linear Algebra 3   3
  Total Credit Hours 14 3 17

Semester 5

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs Total
COMP-222 Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3   3
COMP-### AI Elective-1 3   3
MTH-203 Differential Equations 3   3
COMP-240 Machine Learning 2   2
COMP-240L Machine Learning Lab   1 1
COMP-352 Computer Networks 3   3
COMP-352L Computer Networks Lab   1 1
  Total Credit Hours 14 2 16

Semester 6

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs  
COMP-341 Artificial Neural Networks 2   2
COMP-341L Artificial Neural Networks Lab   1 1
COMP-343 Knowledge Representation and Reasoning 3   3
COMP-342 Digital Image Processing 3   3
COMP-342L Digital Image Processing Lab   1 1
COMP-344 Nature Inspired Computing 3   3
COMP-### AI Elective-2 3   3
COMP-### AI Elective-3 3   3
  Total Credit Hours 17 2 19

Semester 7

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs  
COMP-440 Computer Vision 2   2
COMP-440L Computer Vision Lab   1 1
COMP-497 Final Year Project I   3 3
COMP-291 Information Security 3   3
COMP-441 Natural Language Processing 2   2
COMP-441L Natural Language Processing Lab   1 1
MGT-356 Intellectual Property Law (University Elective-III) 3   3
COMP-460 Parallel and Distributed Computing 2   2
COMP-460L Parallel and Distributed Computing Lab   1 1
  Total Credit Hours 12 6 18

Semester 8

Code Course Title Credit Hours Labs  
COMP-499 Final Year Project II   3 3
COMP-### AI Elective-4 3   3
SS-310 Professional Ethics 3   3
SS-220 Organizational Behavior (University Elective-IV) 3   3
  Total Credit Hours 9 3 12