Prompt Engineering
UT-Austin iSchool Syllabus
Spring 2025
Description (from the catalog)
This course prepares students to develop prompts for text and image generation through an iterative cycle, making the most of foundation models, including large language models and diffusion models. It includes an overview of the field, including historical development, ethical dilemmas, and the creation of chatbots.
Details
Important note: The information presented in this syllabus is subject to expansion, contraction, change, or stasis during the semester. In case of conflict between versions, the copy on Canvas takes precedence.
Course Number
28475
Prerequisites
Introductory Python Programming or equivalent
Time
Wednesday, 1500–1800
Place
UTA Room 1.208
Dates
January 15–April 23, 2025
Final Exam
None
Instructor
Mick McQuaid
mcq@utexas.edu
Office
1616 Guadalupe St, Room 5.402
Office Hours
T,W 6:30PM to 7:30PM and Th 11:30 to 12:30 in my UTA office or by appointment on Zoom at https://utexas.zoom.us/my/mickmcquaid
Academic Assistant
Ishwari Garge, ish.g@utexas.edu
Materials
You should obtain a paid subscription to one of the following three LLMs in lieu of purchasing a textbook: { ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini }. These are the three leading LLMs at the time of this writing. All cost somewhere in the range of 18–20 USD per month. You should also obtain free-tier subscriptions to the other two (besides the one you pay for). Other models will be discussed in class and may be used in addition but not as substitutes.
You should probably have a gmail address since we’ll be editing some google docs together. It will be possible to edit them anonymously at first, but eventually you’ll need to supply me with an address to which I can give permission.
There is no required textbook for this course, but the following will be cited in class: de Santana (2024), Dhar (2024), Gold (2023), Heidt (2024), Mizrahi (2024), Phoenix and Taylor (2024), Sahoo et al. (2024), Shankar et al. (2024), Venkataraman (2024), Schaik and Pugh (2024), Wasi (2023), Zheng et al. (2024)
Learning Outcomes
- the student can refine prompts with an iterative approach to obtain desired results from a large language model or image generator
- the student can evaluate the ethical issues in prompt generation and the use of generated materials
- the student understands the categories of current foundation models
- the student understands the limits of current models
- the student can distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate tasks to be accomplished through prompt engineering
- the student can create a chatbot to assist in an area of the student’s choosing
Class Format
The class will be a third lecture, a third discussion, and a third work time on a computer. You should definitely bring a laptop computer to class every day.
Schedule
Week 1 (15 Jan) Introduction, Dhar (2024)
Week 2 (22 Jan) Principles and guidelines I, Mizrahi (2024), Chapter One; Tibdewal et al. (2024) — Personas, Zheng et al. (2024) — Responsible prompting, de Santana (2024) — Exercise A due
Week 3 (29 Jan) Principles and guidelines II: Evaluation, Schaik and Pugh (2024); Shankar et al. (2024)
Week 4 (05 Feb) Iterative prompt development — Exercise B due
Week 5 (12 Feb) Prompt styles and techniques, Sahoo et al. (2024) — Milestone 1 due
Week 6 (19 Feb) Prompt topics — Exercise C due
Week 7 (26 Feb) Summarization
Week 8 (05 Mar) Inference — Milestone 2 due
Week 9 (12 Mar) Transformation
Spring Break!
Week 10 (26 Mar) Expansion — Milestone 3 due
Week 11 (02 Apr) Building a chatbot I
Week 12 (09 Apr) Building a chatbot II — Exercise D due
Week 13 (16 Apr) Model survey
Week 14 (23 Apr) Looking to the Future — Milestone 4 due
Grading
I plan to grade assignments within two weeks of their due date except where circumstances interfere. The grading scale used along with the grade components follow.
| letter grade | lower bound | upper bound | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | >= | 94.0% | |||
| A- | >= | 90.0% | & | < | 94% |
| B+ | >= | 87.0% | & | < | 90% |
| B | >= | 83.0% | & | < | 87% |
| B- | >= | 80.0% | & | < | 83% |
| C+ | >= | 77.0% | & | < | 80% |
| C | >= | 73.0% | & | < | 77% |
| C- | >= | 70.0% | & | < | 73% |
| D | >= | 60.0% | & | < | 70% |
| F | < | 60% |
Note that all work requires the submission of a .qmd file and a .html file. Omission of either will result in no credit for the work.
Individual work: 4 exercises, five points each
- Exercise A: short Python program
- Exercise B: bibliography
- Exercise C: simple benchmark
- Exercise D: statistical analysis
Group work: 4 milestones, fifteen points each
- Milestone 1: project focus
- Milestone 2: obtaining and labeling dataset
- Milestone 3: fine tuning
- Milestone 4: chatbot evaluation
Weekly work
- Weekly presentations (one per student) (10 points)
- Attendance (10 points)
Attendance
I will take attendance every day and your percentage of attendance will count for ten percent of your grade.
If you have a legitimate need for absence, such as illness or job interview, notify the instructor by email as soon as possible and you may receive an excused absence. It will not be possible to obtain an excused absence if you wait more than 72 hours after class to report it. (Some students come to me at the end of the semester saying, “I know I was present on Martober 32nd …”, and by then it is way too late. You can see the attendance sheet and are responsible for knowing when you have been marked absent.)
POLICIES
Important Note: The policies of the University are undergoing change. The following may be superseded by the policies at https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/1377522, which is a Canvas course containing the honor code which you must adhere to, as well as much of the following information. A better URL may be https://utexas.instructure.com/enroll/TP964H if for some reason you are not enrolled in the site.
Attendance
All concerns about attendance recording must be resolved within 72 hours of the class session in question. In other words, you can’t come to the instructor weeks later and insist you were present on such-and-such a day.
Assignment Submission
All assignments must be submitted via Canvas. No assignment should be submitted via email. Any assignment submitted via email will receive a grade of zero. It may be tempting to try to submit assignments via email when you have trouble with Canvas but the correct response is to contact tech support and resolve the problem with Canvas.
Extra credit and grade rounding
There is no extra credit available in this class and grades are not rounded. You receive exactly the letter grade corresponding to the score you achieve.
Disability and Access
The university is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment consistent with university policy and federal and state law. Please let me know if you experience any barriers to learning so I can work with you to ensure you have equal opportunity to participate fully in this course. If you are a student with a disability, or think you may have a disability, and need accommodations please contact Disability and Access (D&A). Please refer to D&A’s website for contact and more information: http://community.utexas.edu/disability/. If you are already registered with D&A , please deliver your Accommodation Letter to me as early as possible in the semester so we can discuss your approved accommodations and needs in this course.
Policy on Academic Integrity
Students who violate University rules on academic misconduct are subject to the student conduct process and potential disciplinary action. A student found responsible for academic misconduct may be assigned both a status sanction and a grade impact for the course. The grade impact could range from a zero on the assignment in question up to a failing grade in the course. A status sanction can range from probation, deferred suspension and/or dismissal from the University. To learn more about academic integrity standards, tips for avoiding a potential academic misconduct violation, and the overall conduct process, please visit the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct.
Class Recordings
Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.
Artificial intelligence
The creation of artificial intelligence tools for widespread use is an exciting innovation. These tools have both appropriate and inappropriate uses in classwork. The use of artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT) in this class is permitted but must be documented. Usually, you should include a lengthy disclaimer at the end of the assignment as a separate Appendix telling which generative AI tool was used, e.g., ChatGPT, and what it was used for, including the final, revised prompts for each answer generated. Failure to document will be considered a cheating offense, punishable under the rules for academic integrity. The disclaimer must be specific and thorough. A brief, vague statement will not be considered sufficient.
Personal Pronouns
Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name, unless they have added a “chosen name” with the registrar’s office, which you can do so here: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ais/chosen_name/. I will gladly honor your request to address you by a name that is different from what appears on the official roster, and by the pronouns you use (she/he/they/ze, etc). Please advise me of any changes early in the semester so that I may make appropriate updates to my records. For instructions on how to add your pronouns to Canvas, visit https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/633028/pages/profile-pronouns. More resources are available on the Women’s Community Center website, https://community.utexas.edu/wcc/.
Basic Needs Security
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. UT maintains the UT Outpost (https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/utoutpost.php) which is a free on-campus food pantry and career closet. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable him to provide any resources that he may possess.
Mental Health Information
Students who are struggling for any reason and who believe that it might impact their performance in the course are urged to reach out to Bryce Moffett if they feel comfortable. This will allow her to provide any resources or accommodations that she can. If immediate mental health assistance is needed, call the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) at 512-471-3515 or you may also contact Bryce Moffett, LCSW (iSchool CARE counselor) at 512-232-4449. Bryce’s office is located in FAC18S and she holds drop in Office Hours on Wednesday from 2-3pm. For urgent mental health concerns, please contact the CMHC 24/7 Crisis Line at 512-471-2255.
Carrying of Handguns on Campus
Students in this class should be aware of the following university policies related to Texas’ Open Carry Law: Students in this class who hold a license to carry are asked to review the university policy regarding campus carry.
- Individuals who hold a license to carry are eligible to carry a concealed handgun on campus, including in most outdoor areas, buildings and spaces that are accessible to the public, and in classrooms.
- It is the responsibility of concealed-carry license holders to carry their handguns on or about their person at all times while on campus. Open carry is NOT permitted, meaning that a license holder may not carry a partially or wholly visible handgun on campus premises or on any university driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
- Per my right, I prohibit carrying of handguns in my personal office. Note that this information will also be conveyed to all students verbally during the first week of class. This written notice is intended to reinforce the verbal notification, and is not a “legally effective” means of notification in its own right.
LGBTQIA+ Community
As an institution committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment, The University of Texas at Austin strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, or marginalization based on sexual orientation or gender identity under Title IX. If you encounter any discrimination or harassment, please seek support from the Title IX office.
Additionally, we encourage you to complete the Campus Climate Survey by following the link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d70ce9db84a3403ab00394e4617f8f3b
If you experience any form of discrimination or harassment, please contact the Title IX office for support. If you do not wish to contact the UT Title IX office, you may view confidential community resources at https://titleix.utexas.edu/community-resources-confidential . The Womens Community Center, found at https://community.utexas.edu/wcc/ , offers resources and support for LGBTQIA+ students, and I encourage you to visit their website for more information or to contact their professional staff.
I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. This includes fostering an environment of respect, openness, and understanding in the classroom and actively working to address any discrimination or harassment that may occur. If you wish to display your pronouns on your Canvas page, you can find a guide here: https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/633028/pages/profile-pronouns. Furthermore, you can include a “preferred name” by viewing the following link to class rosters, which come with the student’s legal name (unless an addition of a preferred name is made): https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ais/chosen_name/.
TITLE IX DISCLOSURE
Beginning January 1, 2020, Texas Education Code, Section 51.252 (formerly known as Senate Bill 212) requires all employees of Texas universities, including faculty, to report to the Title IX Office any information regarding incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive information about incidents of this type (including, but not limited to, written forms, applications, one-on-one conversations, class assignments, class discussions, or third-party reports) must report it to the Title IX Coordinator. Before talking with me, or with any faculty or staff member about a Title IX-related incident, please remember that I will be required to report this information.
Although graduate teaching and research assistants are not subject to Texas Education Code, Section 51.252, they are mandatory reporters under federal Title IX regulations and are required to report a wide range of behaviors we refer to as sexual misconduct, including the types of misconduct covered under Texas Education Code, Section 51.252. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in educational programs and activities. The Title IX Office has developed supportive ways and compiled campus resources to support all impacted by a Title IX matter.
If you would like to speak with a case manager, who can provide support, resources, or academic accommodations, in the Title IX Office, please email: supportandresources@austin.utexas.edu. Case managers can also provide support, resources, and accommodations for pregnant, nursing, and parenting students.
For more information about reporting options and resources, please visit: https://titleix.utexas.edu, contact the Title IX Office via email at: titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.
Texas Senate Bill 17
Texas Senate Bill 17, the recent law that outlaws diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities in Texas, does not in any way affect content, instruction or discussion in a course at public colleges and universities in Texas. Expectations regarding academic freedom for teaching and class discussion have not been altered post-SB 17, and students should not feel the need to censor their speech pertaining to topics pertaining to race and racism, structural inequality, LGBTQ+ issues, or diversity, equity, and inclusion.
University Writing Center
I strongly encourage you to use the services offered by the University Writing Center. The UWC offers 45-minute, one-on-one consultations with UT students on any piece of writing. You may visit up to three times per short paper and more frequently for long projects. Consultants can work with you once per day. The consultants are well trained, and the cost of the service is covered in your tuition. If you wish to make an appointment, you may do so through the UWC website: uwc.utexas.edu.