CSCI 7000-11 Fall 2025: GenAI-powered Software Engineering

Meets Remotely on Zoom: https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/98033152097 (you need to authenticate with your colorado.edu credentials)

Three times per semester (first day of class on Aug 21, mid semester, and last week on Dec 2 or 4), this class meets in person: Discovery Learning Center (DLC) 1B70

Prof. Danny Dig (danny.dig@colorado.edu)
Office: On Zoom
Phone: (303) 492-1293
Office Hours: right after class, additional slots offered each week to accomodate various schedules.

Students should have basic knowledge of Computer Science undergrad classes, including software engineering, programming languages, systems, ML/AI as demonstrated by undergrad courses at CU. This is NOT an introductory grad course to Software Engineering, for those students we recommend other grad courses such as Foundations of Software Engineering (CSCI 5828). This course assumes you are a competent software engineer already -- we are looking into how you can augment your current skills to include GenAI supported software development. If you are not sure whether you can attend this course, please consult the instructor (email: danny.dig@colorado.edu)

The purpose of this research course is to expose students to seminal topics and recent trends in the field of GenAI for Software Engineering.

Software development is undergoing a profound transformation as GenAI becomes increasingly integrated into development practices. This brand new course ensures that our students are not only aware of these developments but are also prepared to lead in this new era. In this class, students (i) understand the capabilities and limitations of GenAI systems deployed in production or in research; (ii) Learn to critically assess AI-assisted development workflows; (iii) Gain hands-on experience using GenAI in tasks such as testing, debugging, code synthesis, and refactoring.

In this highly interactive, Seminar-style class featuring Instructor-guided exploration and student-led discussions, we will be investigating (i) innovative use of GenAI in software engineering processes and tasks (compelling applications) and (ii) the research technical thrusts that enable the exciting applications of the future. Our exploration will consist of in-class discussions of the cutting-edge research literature, interactions with industry thought leaders, and team projects that encourage risk taking.

The course will offer an opportunity for students to pursue research-oriented or novel industrial term projects in small teams (3-4 students). Students may pursue any project of their choosing that explores the intersection of GenAI with processes and tools used in Software Engineering.

The course will offer several opportunities to learn from the movers and shakers in GenAI from industry and academic research labs.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• expand student's knowledge more broadly about GenAI-based Software Engineering research & practice through reading research papers and industry surveys
• develop critical thinking abilities by being able to assess the quality of published research and pose new research questions
• practice giving scientific presentations and teaching others
• engage in active learning activities in class, such as student-guided discussions on research and applications for GenAI in Software Engineering
• practice developing a research or novel-industrial software development project through all its stages: formulating a research problem, posing research questions, gathering related work, designing a solution, evaluating the solution empirically, writing a research paper
• practice engaging in dialogue with thought leaders in GenAI Software Engineering.
• have fun learning