Prompt Engineering

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in the art and science of crafting effective prompts for AI language models. Students will learn methodologies to communicate with AI systems like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and others to generate precise, reliable, and creative outputs. The curriculum covers basic principles, advanced techniques like chain-of-thought and few-shot prompting, and practical applications across writing, coding, analysis, and image generation.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

Module 1: Foundations

• Understand how large language models (LLMs) process prompts and generate responses.

• Apply the core principles of clarity, specificity, and context to write basic effective prompts.

Module 2: Core Techniques

• Master advanced techniques including few-shot prompting, chain-of-thought reasoning, and role-playing.

• Structure complex tasks using prompt chaining and iterative refinement.

Module 3: Practical Applications

• Generate and debug functional code snippets for tasks like data parsing and automation.

• Craft prompts for creative writing, marketing copy, and content summarization.

• Engineer prompts for data analysis, brainstorming, and structured output (e.g., JSON, tables).

Module 4: Advanced Topics & Image Models

• Apply core principles to text-to-image models (like DALL·E & Midjourney) for consistent stylized outputs.

• Develop systematic testing and evaluation frameworks for prompt performance.

• Understand key ethical considerations, bias, and safety guardrails in AI interaction.

Final Project:

• Synthesize all skills to design, document, and present a real-world prompt-based application or workflow.

To ensure a successful learning experience, participants should meet the following prerequisites:

• Technical Foundation: Basic computer literacy and comfort using web applications.

• Language Proficiency: Good written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Equipment: A reliable computer with internet access. A secondary monitor is recommended for easier workflow.

• Software: Access to a standard web browser. Free-tier accounts for AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney*) will be used.

• Mindset: A problem-solving attitude, curiosity, and willingness to experiment iteratively.

Recommended but not mandatory: Some prior exposure to basic AI concepts or any programming/scripting experience.