Course Details

ICA Online Diploma in Artificial Intelligence (Level 5)

  • Home
  • Course Details

ICA Online Diploma in Artificial Intelligence (Level 5)

Duration:

1 Year Full-Time
(2 Years Part-Time)

Total Credits:

120

Programme Level:

05

Programme Overview

The ICA Online Diploma in Artificial Intelligence (Level 5) combines foundational artificial intelligence, Python programming, data, and applied mathematics with machine learning, generative AI, prompt engineering, responsible AI, and an applied capstone project.

Students will gain practical experience creating Python programs, preparing datasets, building and evaluating machine learning models, developing AI assistants and business automations, assessing AI risks, and delivering a real AI solution. Mathematics is taught with a practical, applied focus rather than a heavy theoretical approach.

Target Students
  • School leavers
  • IT beginners
  • Business professionals
  • Career changers
  • International students
  • Existing software developers wanting AI skills
Course Structure

The programme consists of eight courses worth 15 credits each, delivered across two semesters for a total of 120 credits.

Course Content
Semester 1
Topics
  • History of AI
  • Types of AI
  • Narrow AI vs AGI
  • AI applications
  • AI in business
  • AI trends
  • AI careers
Learning Outcomes
  • Explain AI concepts
  • Identify AI technologies
  • Evaluate AI applications
Topics
  • Python basics
  • Variables
  • Loops
  • Functions
  • Object-oriented programming
  • File handling
  • APIs
  • Virtual environments
Practical
  • Build Python programs
  • Connect APIs
  • Read datasets
Topics
  • Databases
  • SQL
  • CSV
  • Excel
  • Data cleaning
  • Pandas
  • NumPy
  • Data visualisation
Practical
  • Import datasets
  • Clean data
  • Prepare AI datasets
Topics
  • Statistics
  • Probability
  • Linear algebra
  • Graphs
  • Matrix basics
  • Correlation
  • Regression

Note: No heavy mathematics — the course maintains a practical, applied focus throughout.

Semester 2
Topics
  • Supervised learning
  • Unsupervised learning
  • Regression
  • Classification
  • Clustering
  • Model evaluation
Tools
  • Scikit-Learn
Projects
  • Predict sales
  • Customer classification
Topics
  • Large language models (LLMs)
  • ChatGPT
  • Claude
  • Gemini
  • Copilot
  • Prompt engineering
  • AI agents
  • Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
  • AI productivity
Practical
  • Build AI assistants
  • Business automation
  • Prompt libraries
Topics
  • AI ethics
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • AI bias
  • Hallucinations
  • AI governance
  • New Zealand Privacy Act
  • AI regulations
Project
  • AI risk assessment

Students build a real AI solution.

Examples
  • AI chatbot
  • AI customer support
  • AI marketing assistant
  • AI document search
  • AI voice assistant
  • AI CRM assistant
Assessment
  • Presentation
  • Portfolio
  • Industry demonstration
Qualification Awarded

Awarded by: International College of Auckland (ICA)

Study Information

Credits: 120

Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

NZQF Level: Level 5

Study Focus: Theory and practical application