Academics / Courses / DescriptionsCOMP_SCI 397: Applied AI for Software Development
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Prerequisites
(CS 214 and senior undergraduate) or graduate standingDescription
Over the past few years, technology as we know it has fundamentally changed. What used to require
hours or days can now be completed in just minutes or seconds. Few industries have seen as significant of an upside contrast as software engineering, where the advent and continual improvement of tools like
ChatGPT, Copilot, and countless intra-IDE assistants have provided developers with more confidence and
efficiency than ever before.
The rapid rise of these tools has led to a situation where the tools are readily available, but best practices
for how/when to use them are not. Companies are left to develop their own policies related to when/how
to allow generative tools and cite sources. Furthermore, concerns over power consumption, intellectual
property, and code correctness have limited widespread adoption.
There remains an understandably elevated level of skepticism in the industry and a steep learning curve
for those that wish to utilize these aids to their highest level. There is a natural complement here that
requires a user to have a solid foundation and understanding of what is actually being written so that they
can correct mistakes and troubleshoot problems when they arise.
This course will teach students how to apply their pre-existing knowledge to utilize AI development tools
to their fullest extent so that they can enter the workforce and be set up for success, while at the same
time having a balanced understanding of limitations, shortcomings, and ethical concerns. Artificial
Intelligence tools will only improve in the coming months and years and those that wish to stay ahead of
the curve, ensure their performance, and maximize their opportunity for positive outcomes need to know
how to harness them to their fullest capacities.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: N/A
COURSE COORDINATORS: Prof. Hamilton Murrah
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Hamilton Murrah (Spring)