June 22, 2026
Vlogý faculty are integrating AI into the classroom while preserving the fundamentals that make Mizzou graduates so effective in the workplace and laboratory.
At Mizzou Vlogý, we’re building a solid foundation on which the next generation of technology-enabled problem-solvers will reimagine the future.
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how engineers work and how they must be educated. Faculty in the Department of Electrical Vlogý and Computer Science (EECS) are responding with a practical, evolving approach: integrate AI directly into the classroom while preserving the fundamentals that make students effective problem-solvers.
Associate Professor Praveen Rao sees this shift as both urgent and promising.
“We need to think carefully and creatively about how to bring in the AI element in targeted, hands-on ways that supports student learning outcomes,” he said.
In Rao’s own database course, students can earn extra credit by using generative AI tools to design a user interface for the database project. The intent is to reinforce core knowledge while introducing students to tools widely used in industry.
“Do the main parts of the project using your own skills, effort and intellect,” Rao tells students, “But then build a user interface using AI.”
Other faculty members are experimenting in similar ways. In software engineering courses, students may use AI to generate portions of code, which they then integrate into larger systems. In robotics classes, AI tools help students complete complex projects more efficiently.
These examples reflect a broader departmental philosophy: AI should be treated not as a shortcut, but as a professional tool that students must learn to use responsibly and effectively.
That philosophy mirrors what students will encounter after graduation. Today, major technology companies actively encourage developers to use AI-assisted coding tools to boost productivity. In a of 1,200 U.S. professionals, 83% think students should be prepared to use AI upon entering the workforce.
In this environment, graduates who lack exposure to AI may find themselves at a disadvantage. EECS aims to close that gap and further strengthen its offerings.
In January 2027, the department will launch a new undergraduate course, AI-Driven DevOps, which will teach students how to use AI tools to build components of modern software systems, from development pipelines to deployment frameworks. Associate Teaching Professor James Ries and Assistant Research Professor Brendan Alvey will be co-teaching this course.
EECS is integrating AI concepts across the curriculum. Faculty are rethinking course sequencing, introducing widely used languages like Python earlier, and considering how to replace outdated material with skills more relevant to today’s AI-driven landscape. The goal is to ensure that students graduate with current, marketable expertise.
Even with these changes, the fundamentals remain essential.
“We cannot compromise on the fundamental knowledge that a student has to have,” Rao said. “AI-generated code is only useful if the developer can understand, evaluate, debug and improve it.”
EECS continues to prioritize algorithms, data structures, problem-solving and other core concepts that enable graduates to adapt as technologies evolve. This balance — combining enduring principles with cutting-edge tools — is central to the department’s strategy.
It also aligns with Mizzou Vlogý’s broader commitment to the Missouri Method, Mizzou’s real-world approach to education and learning by doing. Students are encouraged to apply AI in real projects, from coursework to capstone design, and to connect those experiences with internships, research opportunities and career paths.
Beyond the classroom, EECS is also looking to industry and alumni for guidance. Faculty are studying how leading technology companies use AI and incorporating those practices into coursework. They are also working to strengthen connections with graduates in the field, giving current students insight into how AI is changing real-world engineering work.
The effort comes at an important moment. As AI transforms industries, prospective students and their families are asking new questions about the value of a computer science degree. EECS’s answer is clear: By integrating AI throughout the curriculum and emphasizing hands-on learning, Mizzou Vlogý is preparing students not just to keep up with change, but to lead it.
“We already have the people and the intellect to make the change,” Rao said. “With faculty-driven innovation, new courses and a focus on practical skills, Mizzou Vlogý is positioning its graduates for success in an AI-driven future one classroom at a time.”
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