St. Bonaventure University is expanding its Computer Science offerings with a suite of new academic minors designed to give students across disciplines practical, in-demand technology skills — with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence.

The new minors — approved by the university’s Faculty Senate — include AI Literacy, Data Analytics, Game Design, Computer Information Systems, and App Development. Together, they reflect a shift toward more focused, career-aligned programs that allow students to tailor technology skills to their academic and professional interests.

“Computer science is a very broad field, and students can go in many different directions,” said Dr. Chris Bopp, associate professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science. “These new minors provide clearer pathways and more structured skill sets that align with real-world applications.”

Leading the expansion is the new AI Literacy minor, which builds on the university’s growing commitment to artificial intelligence across the curriculum.

Earlier this year, St. Bonaventure announced that first-year students will complete an AI literacy unit within its introductory seminar course, reflecting the university’s growing emphasis on preparing students to engage thoughtfully with AI.

In February, the university announced that it will provide ChatGPT Edu licenses to all undergraduate students and faculty and many staff members, beginning in the fall.

The AI Literacy minor is designed to go beyond basic familiarity, offering students from any major the opportunity to develop a deeper, more practical understanding of AI tools and their impact. Coursework introduces foundational programming, explores ethical and societal implications of technology, and emphasizes hands-on experience with emerging AI applications.

Students will learn how to effectively use AI tools, including prompt design, evaluating outputs, and applying AI to decision-making and creative work. The program is intentionally accessible to non-technical students, positioning AI as a cross-disciplinary skill applicable in fields ranging from business and communications to the humanities.

“The goal is to give students a framework they can apply to their major and future careers,” Bopp said.

Other new minors similarly aim to broaden access to technology education across campus.

• The Data Analytics minor focuses on how data can be collected, analyzed and visualized to drive decision-making, with an emphasis on attracting students from non-computing majors.

   

• The Game Design minor blends programming with creative disciplines such as storytelling, user experience, and 3D design, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the gaming industry.

   

• The Computer Information Systems minor is geared toward students interested in the operational side of technology, including systems administration, networking and cybersecurity, preparing graduates to serve as technical resources within organizations.
  

Meanwhile, the existing Computer Science minor has been reimagined as a focused App Development minor, emphasizing the skills needed to design and build software applications. The revised curriculum includes core programming courses along with user experience design and software engineering, replacing a broader elective-based structure.

University leaders say the changes reflect both student interest and evolving workforce demands.

“From data analytics to emerging AI tools, technology is impacting how problems are solved and how ideas take shape across disciplines,” said Dr. Erin Sadlack, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “These minors will enhance students’ ability to actively create, analyze and innovate within their own fields and apply those skills across careers, community engagement and personal interests.”

Many of the courses in the new minors will be available to students across all majors, reinforcing the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning. 

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).