AI Literacy for College Success: AGRI 496/896
Equip yourself with essential AI skills for academic and professional excellence in this intensive 1-credit course designed for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • This special course is open to traditional (degree-seeking) and non-traditional (non-degree-seeking) students.
  • If someone would like to participate in the class but does not need the credit, they can enroll in it as a zero-credit course without tuition (AGRI 042-016).
Register in MyRed
Why Develop AI Literacy?
Understand AI Fundamentals
Learn how Large Language Models like ChatGPT actually work, their capabilities, and their limitations. Gain insights into the technology that's transforming education and the workplace.
Navigate Ethical Boundaries
Develop clear understanding of responsible AI use in academic settings. Learn to distinguish between helpful assistance and academic misconduct to protect your academic integrity.
Boost Your Productivity
Master techniques to leverage AI tools for greater efficiency in your studies and future career. Gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly tech-driven professional landscape.
Course Details at a Glance & Your Instructors
Course Structure
  • 1 credit hour (Fall 2025) | Pass/No Pass grading
  • Also available as AGRI 042-016 (zero-credit option)
  • Two full days: November 7-8, 2025 (8:00 AM-5:00 PM)
  • Location: Chase Hall
This intensive course combines pre-class preparation, in-person interactive sessions, and post-course assignments to ensure comprehensive understanding of AI literacy concepts.
Instructors:
Learning Objectives
By completing this course, you'll develop essential AI literacy skills that will serve you throughout your academic and professional journey.
01
Understand AI Technology
Explain how Large Language Models differ from traditional software and understand their underlying mechanisms.
02
Identify Appropriate Uses
Recognize when and how to use AI ethically within academic and professional contexts.
03
Evaluate AI Output
Critically assess AI-generated content for accuracy, reliability, bias, and limitations.
04
Practice Responsible Use
Apply principles of transparency, data privacy, and ethical considerations when using AI tools.
05
Apply AI Tools Effectively
Utilize AI for productive tasks like summarization, brainstorming, and refinement of your work.
Course Format: A Three-Phase Approach
Pre-Course Preparation
Build foundational knowledge through introductory videos and articles on AI basics. Complete an "AI Myths vs. Facts" quiz to assess your current understanding.
Two-Day Intensive Workshop
Engage in hands-on, interactive activities designed to build practical skills. Work collaboratively with peers on real-world applications of AI in academic settings.
Post-Course Assignments
Apply your new skills through reflection papers and prompt-based critiques that demonstrate your ability to use AI responsibly and effectively.
Day 1: Foundations and Applications
Understanding AI
  • Introduction to Large Language Models: capabilities and limitations
  • AI in academic contexts: university policies and ethical boundaries
  • Fundamentals of prompt engineering
Practical Applications
  • AI for note summarization and concept reinforcement
  • Using AI to organize group projects and enhance collaboration
  • Practice sessions for job interview preparation
Our hands-on approach ensures you'll not just learn about AI tools but actually practice using them effectively in contexts relevant to your academic pursuits.

All activities are designed to align with university policies on AI use, ensuring you learn responsible practices from day one.
Day 2: Ethics, Best Practices, and Application
Ethics and Critical Evaluation
Examine case studies on ethics, potential misconduct, and misinformation in AI-generated content. Learn frameworks for evaluating AI outputs and identifying potential biases or inaccuracies.
AI-Enhanced Productivity
Discover best practices for integrating AI tools into your academic workflow. Master techniques for maintaining your authentic voice while leveraging AI assistance for greater efficiency.
Collaborative Mini-Projects
Work in small groups to apply AI tools to common student tasks such as scholarship essays or resume building. Present your results and provide critical evaluation of the AI's performance.
Throughout Day 2, you'll apply what you've learned through scenario-based assignments that mirror real academic situations you'll encounter.
Tools and Resources You'll Receive
As part of this course, you'll gain access to a comprehensive toolkit of AI resources specifically curated for academic success:
  • Customizable online AI reference guide for ongoing use
  • Libraries of effective prompts for various academic tasks
  • Access information for current LLM platforms (both free and paid options)
  • Campus-specific AI policies and guidelines for reference
  • Video demonstrations of advanced AI applications
These resources are designed to support your continued exploration and responsible use of AI tools long after the course concludes.

All resources are regularly updated to reflect the rapidly evolving AI landscape and university policies.
Post-Course Assignments
Personal AI Code of Conduct
Develop your own comprehensive AI code of conduct that outlines how you plan to use AI tools ethically in your academic and professional life. This reflection paper will help you establish personal boundaries and guidelines for responsible AI use.
Prompt-Based Critique
Complete a task using AI assistance, then write a detailed critique analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the AI's output. Demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate AI-generated content and identify potential inaccuracies or biases.
These assignments are designed to reinforce course concepts and help you develop habits of responsible AI use that will serve you throughout your academic and professional career.
Preparing You for an AI-Enhanced Future
AGRI 496/896 aligns with key institutional goals to prepare students for success in an increasingly AI-integrated world:
Digital & AI Fluency
Develop essential technical literacy that will serve you across disciplines and career paths.
Ethical Awareness
Build a strong foundation in responsible technology use and academic integrity.
Critical Thinking
Enhance your ability to evaluate information sources and content reliability.
Workplace Readiness
Gain practical skills that employers increasingly value in today's technology-driven environment.
Registration Deadline: October 30, 2025
Enroll in AGRI 496-005 (undergraduate credit) or AGRI 896-005 (graduate credit)