Syllabus: AINS6201 Automation & Process Optimization#
Catalog Description#
Examines automation, RPA, extraction, optimization, agentic workflows, controls, and business cases.
Course Structure#
Each week includes readings, a lecture/slide sequence, an executable lab, and an applied deliverable. Students maintain a reproducible project record and submit work through the LMS or GitHub workflow selected by the instructor.
Weekly Schedule#
Week |
Topic |
Essential Question |
Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Process discovery and workflow mapping |
Which processes are good candidates for automation? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
2 |
Robotic process automation basics |
How do rule-based and AI-assisted automation differ? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
3 |
Document and data extraction |
How does AI convert unstructured work into structured workflows? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
4 |
Optimization and scheduling |
How can models improve resource allocation? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
5 |
Agentic workflow orchestration |
When should AI coordinate tools and humans? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
6 |
Controls, auditability, and failure handling |
How do automated processes remain accountable? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
7 |
Change management and workforce impact |
How should organizations adopt automation responsibly? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
8 |
Automation business case |
What evidence justifies automation investment? |
Lab notebook + assignment brief |
Assessment#
Component |
Weight |
|---|---|
Weekly labs and notebooks |
30% |
Applied assignments |
35% |
Participation and technical critique |
15% |
Final synthesis portfolio |
20% |
Graduate Expectations#
Submissions must show technical reasoning, evidence awareness, clear limitations, and responsible use of AI assistance. Code and analysis should be reproducible enough for instructor review.