This course will explore the transformative impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on modern software engineering. Students will learn to leverage LLMs to enhance their productivity across the software development lifecycle, from coding and testing to debugging and maintenance. We will also practice how to be cognizant of the ethical and safety implications of using LLMs in software development.
As part of the learning objectives, students will gain exposure to LLM fundamentals, familiarity with evolving LLM levers and workflows, competence in LLMs as part of software engineering, familiarity with dilemmas around genAI usage and also familiarity with startups practices and tooling.
We will be conducting many in-class activities and experiments, so your presence and active participation are important to creating the most effective and engaging learning experience. A load of 3-6 hours a weeks can be expected to experiment with tools and when assignments/projects are due. No prior experience with AI development tools is required, but there will be little hand-holding and no support to set up the tools and complete the assignments, as I expect everyone to have the technical and programming skills of DS2.
Everyone will need to bring to class a laptop computer capable of running modern development tools. No textbook is required. Instructor will provide necessary reading material as part of the course through Canvas.Alternate short lectures and activities (vibing, challenges, invited presentations, analysis, ...), emphasis on experiencing software engineering with genAI.
Slides and assignments available through Canvas.
Required: DS2 or equivalent with at least a C. Recommended: CS3240.
Every student must fully comply with all the provisions of the University Honor Code (http://honor.virginia.edu), including the section on academic fraud http://honor.virginia.edu/academic-fraud. Assignments will describe allowed collaborations, and deviations from these will be considered Honor violations. If you have questions on what is allowable, ask! Unless otherwise noted, all assignments will be considered pledged that you have neither given nor received help.
Use of AI is generally encouraged! Exception: some assignments will have explicit requirements about not using AI or how to use it.
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to LLMs for Software Engineers |
| Week 2 | Under the hood and enhanced coding |
| Week 3 | Workflows, tooling, and agents |
| Week 4 | What to build |
| Week 5 | How to build it |
| Week 6 | Quality Control |
| Week 7 | Tech Dilemmas |
| Week 8 | Global Dilemmas |
| Week 9 | Project launch |
| Week 10 | MVP |
| Week 11 | Project Update |
| Week 12 | Project alpha |
| Week 13 | Red Teaming |
| Week 14 | Future of Software Development |
| Week 15 | Fair and Wrap-up |
| Percentage | Grade |
|---|---|
| [98, 100] | A+ |
| [93, 98) | A |
| [90, 93) | A- |
| [88, 90) | B+ |
| [83, 88) | B |
| [80, 83) | B- |
| [78, 80) | C+ |
| [73, 78) | C |
| [70, 73) | C- |
| [60,70)] | D |
| Less than 60] | F |
Most important bit of information: if you need my help, reach out to me.
If you have a disability or other needs that may affect your experience in this course, please contact me so we can discuss accommodations. You can also reach out to the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) at sdac.studenthealth.virginia.edu.
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination, harassment, or interpersonal violence, resources and reporting options are available on the UVA Sexual Violence website at www.virginia.edu/sexualviolence. You can also make a report to Just Report It at justreportit.virginia.edu or contact the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) at UVAEOCR@virginia.edu or 434-924-3200. As a faculty member, I'm a responsible employee, which means I'm required to report certain incidents to the University's Title IX Coordinator. This ensures you receive the support you need.
If you are a computer science student experiencing academic or personal stress, please don't wait to ask for help. In addition to me, you can also reach out to CS staff members SJ Jimenez-Calhoun (smj4z@virginia.edu) or Sheri Grimes (prk2zq@virginia.edu). You can also find walk-in advising hours at https://uvacsadvising.org/.