Course Overview and Workflow Setup

2026-01-13

What this course is about

This course combines hands-on Python development with a clear understanding of how large language models work in practice. You will:

  • Develop generative AI literacy: understand what LLMs can and cannot reliably do, design effective prompts, and reason about reliability and evaluation
  • Explore AI-assisted programming: coding assistants, “vibe coding,” and agentic tools
  • Build applications that integrate LLMs to solve real problems
  • Consider ethics, privacy, bias, and real-world risks

How we’ll work

  • Course hub: schedule, policies, resources, slides
  • Moodle: announcements, grades
  • GitHub Classroom: where you submit assignments
  • AI use: required for many assignments, with transparency (see AI Use Policy)

Tools for Week 1

  • VS Code with extensions
  • Git + GitHub for version control and submission (A0-A1)
  • Python 3.13.x with venv + pip (A1)

GitHub Classroom: what “submission” means

  • Accept the assignment link
  • Make changes in your assignment repo
  • Commit + push to GitHub before the deadline
  • Check ✅/❌ next to your latest commit for autograding results

Next steps

  1. Complete Initial Setup (Windows or macOS guide)

  2. Follow GitHub Classroom Workflow Instructions (A0: skip steps 3-4):

    1. Accept A0 — Git and GitHub Fundamentals
    2. Clone your A0 repo
    3. Make changes (see README.md), commit + push