When Jan Struempfel, M.S. Major in Management ’26, found himself building a demand-forecasting model using random forests and R, he knew something had shifted. Over the course of the semester in Marius Florin Niculescu’s Information Technology Management class, concepts that once felt abstract became practical tools he continues to use today. Through hands-on projects and real datasets, machine learning models and AI-driven prediction moved from theory to application.
“Professor Niculescu’s course was incredibly hands-on, which made complex AI and machine learning concepts much easier to understand and remember,” said Struempfel. “It was challenging, but that’s what made the learning stick. I’m now applying those same techniques to real business problems, and without this course, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that.”
Innovation Across the College
At the Scheller College of Business, AI has evolved beyond a buzzword to become a defining element of the curriculum. Faculty across academic areas develop courses designed to strengthen students’ technological knowledge alongside modern business leadership. AI literacy in the classroom begins with Scheller faculty’s innovative research, unique expertise, and drive for lifelong learning. That commitment shapes how students engage with the curriculum.
Along with colleagues Jonathan Fan and Daniel Yue, Niculescu, associate professor of IT management, was awarded a Provost Teaching and Learning Grant to support the integration of AI across the curriculum. Niculescu continues to reimagine his foundational ITM course to keep pace with rapid change in the field. His work on the MGT 6503 course was acknowledged with the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: 2025 CIOS Award.
“This class requires me to constantly learn,” he said. “I make it a habit to read about technology and what companies are doing every day, so that I can bring current events into the classroom.”
For Peter Lee, Evening MBA ’27, an innovative, hands-on approach to learning about AI and navigating the constantly evolving digital frontier, made all the difference.
“Professor Niculescu’s course was structured in a way that paired each in-class lecture with an at-home exploration of the tools being discussed,” Lee said. “This approach reinforced learning by allowing us to immediately apply the concepts after hearing about them. It created a low-stakes environment where we could experiment with the tools ourselves, which made the material much easier to retain. The balance between theory and practical experience helped me develop a deeper understanding of the concepts than a lecture-only format would have.”
AI and the Digital Frontier
Niculescu’s core course is required for all Full-time and Evening MBA students, as well as on-campus and online M.S. Major in Management students.
“We're entering a moment when harnessing AI no longer requires deep technical skills,” said Niculescu. “Today, anyone can craft capable, purpose-built tools with a no-code or low-code approach. At Scheller, we don't just discuss AI innovation; we give students hands-on opportunities to experiment and create. At the same time, we teach the implications of embracing generative and agentic AI, including associated risks and governance considerations. Our goal is to prepare ethical leaders who can innovate boldly and responsibly. In other words, we want students to be able to fly the plane — but also know to pack a parachute.”
Designed with no prerequisites, the course grounds students in the fundamentals driving today’s digital economy. Roughly 75% of the curriculum focuses on AI and machine learning concepts. Students build skills in generative and agentic AI, learning how large language models (LLM) work and how to apply techniques such as prompt and context engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, and agentic workflows using low-code platforms. Just as importantly, the course addresses the ethics surrounding AI — preparing students to use powerful technologies responsibly.
A Commitment to AI Literacy Across the Curriculum
Long before today’s wave of “AI-focused” business programs, Scheller intentionally integrated information technology, analytics, and — most recently — AI and machine learning into the core of its MBA and M.S. Major in Management curriculum. From machine learning fundamentals to strategy and innovation in emerging technologies, Scheller curriculum is built for whatever comes next at the intersection of business and technology.
See how Scheller’s curriculum is keeping pace with the future:
- Machine Learning for Business
This course offers one of the College’s earliest dedicated deep dives into machine learning. Students learn the theories behind contemporary machine learning methods and apply them hands-on in R. The course bridges technical understanding with real business relevance, providing the bedrock for more advanced AI coursework. - AI for Business
In this course, students build and evaluate gen-AI applications through hands-on assignments involving LLM APIs, RAG systems, AI agents, and multimodal interfaces. Paired with case-based analysis of AI use across industries, the course helps students think critically about trade-offs in AI deployment — balancing performance, governance, cost, and ethics. - AI and Machine Learning for Business
Scheller’s Executive MBA students receive a tailored version of AI literacy through this course that emphasizes data analytics thinking and practical application. Executive MBA students explore classification, clustering, association rules, neural networks, and agentic AI using low-code platforms like n8n, culminating in a team project that illustrates real-world implementation. - Business Analytics
AI is deeply integrated into Scheller’s analytics pathway. Students in Business Analytics learn essential AI/ML methods — including cross-validation, variable selection, regression diagnostics, logistic regression, and clustering — while engaging with real-world datasets. - Business Analytics Practicum
Masters students work with sponsor organizations to build end-to-end analytics solutions. Teams apply supervised learning, natural language processing (including LLMs), forecasting, and optimization to deliver dashboards, KPIs, and decision-ready prototypes that are often piloted by corporate partners. - Emerging Technologies and E-Commerce
These courses explore long-term technology trends and their implications for business and society. Students examine advanced AI topics including LLMs, autonomous vehicles, agentic AI, robotics, and the evolving labor market shaped by automation.
Preparing Business Leaders for the Future
Scheller programs have always been grounded in the belief that modern technological fluency is inseparable from effective business leadership. At a moment when AI is reshaping nearly every business function, AI isn’t seen as an add-on or a trend.
Scheller’s innovative curriculum reflects the belief that AI literacy is not optional. Across its programs, Scheller ensures all students — regardless of technical background — develop the understanding and judgment needed to lead the future of business with confidence.
Learn More: M.S. Major in Management On-Campus Curriculum
Learn More: M.S. Major in Management Online Curriculum
Learn More: Full-time MBA Curriculum
