By: Krista Schroen
Rice University’s Department of Computer Science now offers two new artificial intelligence courses open to students across every major, with no prior coding or math experience required.
The courses, COMP 101: Vibe Coding with LLMs and COMP 238: Understanding the Machines, reflect growing demand from students across disciplines who want to understand how artificial intelligence works, not just how to use it.
“At Rice, we have always believed that understanding the foundations of a technology matters more than just knowing how to use it,” said Christopher Jermaine, Victor E. Cameron Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department. “These two courses bring that same philosophy to students across every discipline. Whether you are studying business, medicine or the humanities, knowing how AI systems work will make you better at whatever you do next.”
Why Understanding AI Matters Right Now
If you have ever asked ChatGPT to help you write something, used a recommendation algorithm without thinking twice, or wondered what is actually happening inside the tools reshaping your industry, you already have a relationship with artificial intelligence. What most people lack is an understanding of how any of it works.
That gap matters more than ever. Employers across every sector are asking job candidates about their AI skills. It is not just a question for computer science majors anymore. It is showing up in interviews for business, healthcare, engineering and fields that had nothing to do with technology a decade ago.
The Rice University Department of Computer Science is responding with two new courses built for exactly this moment.
COMP 101: Vibe Coding with LLMs
Taught by Professor Joe Warren, COMP 101 teaches students how to build real programs by working alongside large language models like Gemini and Claude. Students learn to write effective prompts, test and debug AI-generated code and understand where these models succeed and where they fall short.
The course concludes with a student-designed Python project. No prior programming experience is required.
COMP 238: Understanding the Machines
Taught by Professor and Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing, Luay Nakhleh, the course takes a different approach. No math. No programming. Just a clear-eyed look at how generative AI actually works, what machines are doing when they produce text or images and what the societal stakes are, from bias and privacy to accountability.
If you want to understand AI well enough to think critically about it, this is the course.
Broader AI Education Strategy in Rice Computer Science
The launch of these courses reflects a broader expansion of AI education within the department. In Fall 2025, Rice Computer Science introduced a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, joining a short list of universities including Carnegie Mellon, MIT and Penn that offer a dedicated undergraduate AI degree.
At the graduate level, Rice's Online Master of Computer Science, ranked #3 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2026, offers a dedicated Artificial Intelligence specialization, as do the in-person Master of Computer Science and Master of Data Science programs.
Across all three offerings, the department's approach is consistent: prepare students to understand and build AI systems, not simply use them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience to take these courses?
No. Both COMP 101 and COMP 238 are designed for students with zero coding or math background. They are open to every major at Rice.
Are these courses only for computer science students?
No. Both courses are open to every major on campus.
What will I be able to do after taking these courses?
After COMP 101, you will know how to build and refine programs using large language models. After COMP 238, you will understand how generative AI works and be equipped to think critically about its use across industries.
How do I register?
Visit courses.rice.edu for details and register through ESTHER.