Syllabus

Syllabus#

Below are some notes about the use of AI and large language models (LLMs) in this course. For the course syllabus, please refer to the Brightspace page for your corresponding course: Summer 2025 ENGR 13300 Prep, VIP 17920 MEP STEM ABC, or ENGR 29600: Engineering Early Start.

Professional Expectations#

Use of AI/LLMs#

Generative AI tools are becoming commonplace, and we’ll explore their ethical and effective use in this project-based course. Your primary responsibility is to understand all code you submit and uphold academic integrity.

The purpose of using AI tools in programming is to assist in learning more programming skills faster. Using AI in this course should NOT be used to avoid learning the content of the course.

Effective Programming Practices with AI:#

You’re encouraged to use tools like GitHub Copilot (within VS Code) to enhance your programming process. This includes:

  • Brainstorming and Design: Exploring high-level architectural ideas or design patterns for your projects.

  • Boilerplate and Syntax Assistance: Generating common code structures, completing lines, and suggesting syntax.

  • Debugging: Understanding error messages and suggesting potential fixes or debugging strategies.

  • Code Explanation and Documentation: Getting explanations for unfamiliar code or initial suggestions for comments.

  • Refactoring: Identifying minor improvements for code readability and efficiency.

Ethical Use and Originality:#

  • Quizzes: Your Understanding is Key. You are responsible for understanding and being able to explain all code and concepts you submit for quizzes. While tools like Copilot may be present in your environment, any code you include in your submission must reflect your own comprehension and problem-solving. Instructors reserve the right to ask you to clarify your submissions. Your inability to effectively explain the processes your code performs may result in a zero on the quiz, failing the course, and/or being reported to the Office of the Dean of Students.

  • Originality of Core Code (Projects): The core logic, algorithms, and problem-solving approach in your projects must be your own. While AI can assist with boilerplate, it cannot generate entire solutions or significant problem-solving code that you don’t fully understand. You are accountable for every line of code you submit.

  • Transparency: You must be transparent about AI use. Any code not explicitly identified as AI-assisted will be assumed original.

  • Collaboration: In group projects, all members are expected to contribute to the intellectual work. AI use should be discussed and agreed upon by the group. If AI is being used, the AI platform should be listed as a collaborator along with the team.

  • Attribution: For code generated by tools like Copilot, add comments to the part of the code where the AI tools were used.

    • If identiying single lines of code where AI was used, comment that line with a note stating that AI was used. # generated by Copilot

    • If AI generated multiple lines, make a code block using a comment at the beginning of the lines # Start of Copilot code and end the block with a comment such as # end of copilot code.

Seeking Clarification:#

AI use in education can have gray areas. If you’re unsure about appropriate AI use in your code or if you’re violating a policy, contact an instructor at least 48 hours before the submission deadline.

Contents