Hybrid: Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 PM in Workforce Development Center, Room D122; remaining coursework completed online in Canvas/uCertify. Semester dates: August 17 - December 10, 2026.
For those interested in technology and its impact on society, this course is the ideal introduction. Students will learn about artificial intelligence, big data, and their ethical implications. Using uCertify’s courses in AI, Big Data and AI Ethics, students explore how these technologies are applied in everyday life. Topics include machine learning, data analysis, automation, and responsible data use. The course also addresses important ethical issues such as privacy, bias, and fairness in AI systems.
This is an online course presented through uCertify with some in person lecture requirements.
Faculty Contact Information
Please email rcooper@kcc.edu for support
Ron Cooper, Adjunct Professor — rcooper@kcc.edu
Dean: Paul Carlson, Dean - Business, Technology & Human Services — 815-802-8858 — pcarlson@kcc.edu
Division Office: Room W102 — 815-802-8850
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Define and explain core concepts of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, including digital learning, algorithms, smart data, and data lakes.
- Identify and evaluate real-world applications of AI technologies, such as customer experience systems, virtual assistants, and multimedia recognition.
- Assess the role of algorithms in driving intelligent decision-making, both in business processes and consumer-facing technologies.
- Demonstrate how AI and Big Data technologies integrate, enabling capabilities like predictive analytics, smart automation, and scalable data processing.
- Analyze how AI is transforming modern industries and society, with attention to innovation, operational efficiency, and economic impact.
- Describe the technological ecosystem that supports AI, including data infrastructure, machine learning models, and contributions from major tech companies.
- Compare the contributions of AI startups across various sectors, such as finance, healthcare, HR, agriculture, law, etc.
- Evaluate the ethical, social, and political implications of AI, and propose approaches for developing fair, transparent, and sustainable AI solutions.
1. Foundational principles of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, including key terms.
2. How AI is applied in various domains.
3. How algorithms influence modern data-driven environments and how they power intelligent systems in both business and consumer applications.
4. How AI and Big Data work together to enable advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and intelligent automation in various industries.
5. How Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries and daily life, with a focus on its strategic role in business growth, innovation, and digital transformation.
6. Learn the core technologies that support AI and the role of major tech companies in driving AI development.
7. Investigate how AI startups are revolutionizing industries including finance, healthcare, human resources, law, fashion, and agriculture, through real-world case studies and applications.
8. Ethical, political, and social challenges of AI deployment, and explore future trends and scenarios in the development of responsible and sustainable AI.
uCertify — AI & Big Data: Concepts, Applications, and Ethics (course access code required; includes labs and AI Ethics content).
A PC with Windows 10 or higher ((or other system that works)) and Internet access is required to successfully work with the course materials. If needed, KCC may be able to lend students Windows laptops for particular tasks for a duration. Contact your program advisor, ITS (815-802-8900), or the Bookstore (815-802-8590) for more information.
Student evaluation is based on points accrued via Virtual Labs, Assignments, Quizzes, and Exams. Point values may change based on added or removed assignments.
Grading scale: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 59% or lower = F.
Retakes and attempts: There are no limits on attempts in this course and no penalty for retaking. If you are not happy with a score, take it again.
Work completed in uCertify records your most recent attempt, so if a retake goes worse than an earlier try, simply take it again until you have a score you are comfortable with. Quizzes built directly in Canvas (Lesson 5 onward) work the opposite way and record your highest score, so a retake there can only help you. In short: uCertify keeps your latest attempt; Canvas quizzes keep your best attempt.
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Attendance: Attendance is MANDATORY - for times stated. If a class/lab session must be missed, arrangements must be made prior to the absence. If an absence is not planned, a valid excuse (e.g., doctor's note) must be provided to the instructor for each missed session at the beginning of the following class session. Make-up work (assignments, quizzes, exams, etc.) is provided at the discretion of the instructor and must be completed within one week of the missed class period.
Reading and communication: This course requires you to complete the assigned reading. Weekly participation in discussion boards and peer reviews is required. Lectures provide only an overview of the reading material; come to class prepared for that day's lecture. Primary communication will be via Canvas and email. The instructor will respond to messages within 48 hours (weekdays) and grade assignments within one week of submission.
Quizzes, assignments, and exams: Quizzes assess recall and retention of readings and assignments; they may be posted on Canvas. Assignments follow up on readings throughout the semester. Exams assess retention of lecture and reading material and your ability to compare/contrast and apply concepts. On face-to-face quiz and exam days, arrive on time and be ready to begin at the start of class. A student arriving late on a quiz day may take the quiz only if at least one student is still in possession of the quiz. Students will not be permitted to enter and take an exam once the exam has started. Once an exam or quiz has been administered, students may not leave until they turn it in. If a cell phone is disruptive during an exam or quiz, the student receives a zero on that exam; any cell phone use during an exam or quiz is considered cheating and results in a zero and possibly an F for the course.
Late work: Late assignments will not be accepted unless arrangements are made. However my due dates are fairly open ended - so if a date is about to pass or has passed, please make arrangements or realize there will be impacts to grades.
Cell phones: Turn off all cell phones and other devices that may interrupt class. If your phone must be on for work or a family emergency, set it to vibrate and leave the classroom to take the call. No texting during class. Violations: warning (first), 5-point deduction from the class grade (second), removal from the class period (third and beyond).
Student integrity: All students are expected to complete quizzes, exams, and papers with integrity and respect for fellow students, the instructor, and the institution. Cheating will not be tolerated. Upon evidence of cheating, the student will be dropped from the course and receive a grade of F.
Use respectful, professional language in all discussions and emails. Avoid ALL CAPS, slang, or inappropriate language. When replying to peers, provide constructive feedback.
You will gain the most from this course by actively participating in classroom discussions and sharing your experiences and questions. Learn the names of your classmates and help one another whenever possible (but not during quizzes and exams).
Take responsibility for the classroom and lab areas by picking up after yourself. Arrive promptly before class begins. No tobacco products may be used on campus. Do not come to class when you are ill and likely to infect others. Minor children are not allowed in the classroom or lab areas for safety reasons. No students may work in lab areas outside of class time without instructor permission and appropriate supervision.
Weekly work each week: Read, Cards, Quiz, Labs (in uCertify/Canvas).
Week 1 (Aug 18-24): Introduction — the digital era, digital identity, and the Internet of Things
Week 2 (Aug 25-31): Chapter 1: What is intelligence? Artificial Intelligence; how BI has developed (No Lecture this week)
Week 3 (Sep 1-7): Chapter 2: Digital Learning — supervised, enhanced supervised, and unsupervised learning (No Lecture this week)
Week 4 (Sep 8-14): Chapter 3: The Reign of Algorithms — neural networks; why Big Data and AI work together
Week 5 (Sep 15-21): Chapter 4: Uses for AI — customer experience, transport, medical, assistants, recognition, recommendations
Week 6 (Sep 22-28): Appendices A-F: Big Data (four Vs), Smart Data, Data Lakes, ML vs. traditional BI, AI vocabulary
Week 7 (Sep 29-Oct 5): Chapter 5: How AI is Reshaping Life and Business
Week 8 (Oct 6-12): Chapter 6: Understanding AI and Associated Technologies — ML, robotics, IoT, drones
Week 9 (Oct 13-19): Chapter 7: AI in the 'Bull' Run — progress, funding, patents, talent
Week 10 (Oct 20-26): Chapter 8: Data Engine of AI — data security, ownership, policy
Week 11 (Oct 27-Nov 2): Chapter 9: Big Tech Bets Big on AI
Week 12 (Nov 3-9): Chapters 10-11: AI Startups that Transformed Businesses; AI Startups in Finance
Week 13 (Nov 10-16): Chapters 12-13: AI Startups in Healthcare and Human Resources
Week 14 (Nov 17-23): Chapter 14: AI Startups in Fashion, Law, Agriculture, and Other Areas
Week 15 (Nov 24-30): Chapter 15: Ethical, Social and Political Issues in AI
Week 16 (Dec 1-7): Chapter 16: Future of Artificial Intelligence
Final exams: Dec 5 and Dec 7-10. No classes: Labor Day Sep 5-7, Veterans Day Nov 11, Thanksgiving break Nov 26-29. Last day to withdraw: Nov 5.
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.