705.608.82 - Applied Generative AI

Course Structure

Course modules typically run Monday through Sunday, with assignments due Sunday at midnight.  Some variations occur so take careful note of due dates in Canvas.

Course Topics

• Overview and history of AI and Generative AI
• AI foundations
• Coding common AI algorithms using generative AI
• Natural language processing (NLP)
• Large language models (LLM)
• Prompt engineering
• Using generative AI in NLP tasks
• Mid-term project: Generative AI application for email productivity
• Responsible generative AI
• Agentic AI
• Retrieval Augmented Generative (RAG) search
• Advanced RAG
• Fine tuning
• Final Project: Generative AI application - Local RAG search for proprietary application

Course Goals

This course aims to provide students with a foundational and applied understanding of generative artificial intelligence by exploring its core concepts, techniques, and real-world applications. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and project-based learning, students will gain the skills needed to design, build, and critically evaluate generative AI systems for practical use in diverse domains.

Textbooks

Not required

Required Software

We recommend the use of VS Code as your Python editor.

You will require the latest version of Python and download open source packages as required.

Student Coursework Requirements

Most modules will have a graded activity.
Quizzes (Modules 1 and 2) 10%
Assignments (Modules 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12) 40%
Mid-term Project (Module 8) 25%
Final Project (Module 14) 25%

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Score Range	Letter Grade
100-97	= A+
96-93	= A
92-90	= A−
89-87	= B+
86-83	= B
82-80	= B−
79-77	= C+
76-73	= C
72-70	= C−
69-67	= D+
66-63	= D
<63	= F

Course Evaluation

We are committed to providing an outstanding educational experience.  We strive to make this course useful, fair, and exciting.  We hope that we are approachable, available and that you can come to us with any concerns or ideas.  We hope that we achieve the highest marks when you complete course evaluations, but if there is anything that would prevent you from giving us a 5 out of 5 rating, don't wait until the end-of-course evals.  Talk to us immediately so that we can provide YOU the best experience possible.

Course Policies

• Refer to our policy on Chat GPT
• Take careful note of all due dates in Canvas
• If you have any concerns, reach out early.  Don't keep it to yourself.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course. 

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions, and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact EP Student Disability Services at ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu. 

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. For a full description of the code please visit the Student Conduct Code website.

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.