ntroducing the Benedictine Course Catalog Bot: Simplifying Course Information for Students
As a student at Benedictine University, I recently took on an exciting project to create a chatbot that helps answer common questions about the courses offered in our graduate programs. Using Chatbase and the Benedictine course catalog as my data source, I designed this bot to provide students with quick and easy access to course information, especially for those exploring the university’s programs or planning their schedules.
The Purpose Behind the Bot
Course selection can be a challenging process, and finding the right classes with specific course codes, prerequisites, and program requirements often requires sifting through the catalog. I wanted to create a bot that would streamline this process, making it easier for students to access relevant information directly and without having to scroll through a lengthy catalog.
How I Built It
To build the bot, I used an older version of the Benedictine course catalog, focusing on biology classes available in the graduate programs. Given the character limitations in Chatbase, I had to condense some course descriptions and categorize the information effectively to ensure responses were clear and concise. The bot can handle queries like:
- "What biology classes are offered?"
- "Tell me about the Molecular Biology course."
- "Are there any core courses for biology majors?"
Challenges and Solutions
One of the main challenges was managing the character limit within Chatbase. To overcome this, I shortened course descriptions and grouped similar courses into categories (like Core Courses or Electives) to make information retrieval quicker and more organized. This optimization not only made the bot more efficient but also ensured it could answer questions accurately without overwhelming users with too much detail.
Why This Bot Is Useful
The Benedictine Course Catalog Bot allows students to find information about classes in seconds. Whether they’re looking for core biology courses, lab options, or course codes, this bot provides a quick overview tailored to each question. For prospective students, it’s an easy way to explore what Benedictine’s biology programs have to offer, and for current students, it’s a practical tool for planning their academic journey.
Future Potential and Applications
This project opened my eyes to the possibilities of chatbot applications in academic settings. I can imagine future versions that support even more programs, or even a bot that handles study abroad queries or scholarship information. Building this bot has shown me how AI can make educational resources more accessible and improve the student experience. Plus, learning about the technical aspects of Chatbase, from data limitations to structuring responses, has been incredibly rewarding.
Try It Out!
If you're a student at Benedictine, feel free to give the bot a try and ask it questions about biology courses. It’s still a work in progress, and I’d love feedback to keep refining it. This bot demonstrates just how useful AI can be in education, and I’m excited to see where this project goes next!
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