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Professional Certificate: GenAI & Agentic AI

For Senior IT Professionals

Course Information

Duration

12 Weeks (10-15 hours/week)

Primary Language

Python 3.10+

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Format

Self-paced with hands-on labs

Note: While Python-focused, Week 11 covers multi-language integration patterns (Java/C#) for enterprise scenarios.

Prerequisites

Required

  • 5+ years of IT/software development experience
  • Strong Python programming skills
  • Understanding of REST APIs and web services
  • Basic Git and command line proficiency

Recommended

  • Experience with Docker
  • Basic understanding of machine learning concepts
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Course Curriculum

WEEK 0: Environment Setup & Python Refresher (Optional)

  • Professional Python development environment setup
  • Python (NumPy, Pandas, async/await)
  • AI coding assistants configuration (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Aider)
  • Git workflows and modern Python practices
  • Python 3.10+ installation, virtual environments (venv/conda)
  • Jupyter Lab, VS Code with Python extensions
  • NumPy, Pandas essentials for data manipulation
  • API fundamentals: REST, JSON, authentication
  • Type hints and modern Python features
  • Async/await for concurrent programming
Deliverable: Configured development environment
Hands-on Labs
  • Lab 0.1: Environment setup checklist - Install Python, pip, virtualenv, Configure VS Code with extensions, Set up pre-commit hooks
  • Lab 0.2: Build a CLI weather app using a public API - Use requests library, Environment variable management, Error handling and retries
  • Lab 0.3: Data manipulation exercise with Pandas - Load CSV, clean data, Basic transformations, Export results

WEEK 1: AI/ML Foundations for GenAI

  • AI vs ML vs Deep Learning vs GenAI taxonomy
  • Neural networks and transfer learning basics
  • Python ML ecosystem overview
  • Building REST APIs with FastAPI
  • Transfer learning and pre-trained models
  • Introduction to transformers (high-level)
Tools Introduced
  • Hugging Face Transformers, Datasets
  • scikit-learn
  • TensorFlow/PyTorch basics
  • FastAPI for API development
  • Pydantic for data validation
Deliverable: Build and deploy a simple ML classifier REST API with FastAPI

WEEK 2: Language Models & Transformer Architecture

  • Transformer architecture deep dive
  • Tokenization and embeddings
  • BERT, GPT, T5 evolution
  • Hugging Face ecosystem mastery
  • NLP pipeline: tokenization, stemming, lemmatization
  • Word embeddings: Word2Vec, GloVe, contextual embeddings
  • Self-attention mechanism, Multi-head attention
  • Positional encoding, Encoder-decoder structure
  • Hugging Face Hub and model cards
Deliverable: Document Q&A system with BERT
Mini Project 1: Custom Text Classification API with Docker & CI/CD

WEEK 3: Generative AI & Large Language Models

  • LLM landscape (GPT, Claude, LLaMA, Mistral)
  • Working with multiple LLM APIs
  • Token management and streaming
  • Structured output generation (JSON mode)
  • Cost optimization strategies
Tools Introduced
  • OpenAI Python SDK
  • Anthropic Python SDK
  • Ollama for local LLMs
  • tiktoken for token counting
  • LangChain (introduction)
  • LiteLLM (unified API)
Deliverable: Multi-provider LLM comparison dashboard (Streamlit) with cost tracking

WEEK 4: Prompt Engineering & LLM Optimization

  • Advanced prompting techniques (few-shot, chain-of-thought, ReAct)
  • Prompt templating and versioning
  • LLM evaluation metrics
  • Content safety and guardrails
  • Bias detection and mitigation
  • Zero-shot, few-shot, chain-of-thought prompting
  • Role-based prompting, system messages
  • XML/JSON structured prompts, ReAct prompting
  • Temperature, top_p, frequency_penalty tuning
  • Hallucination detection strategies
Deliverable: Prompt engineering toolkit with automated evaluation
Mini Project 2: Intelligent Document Processor with CI/CD Pipeline

WEEK 5: Vector Databases & Embeddings

  • Embedding models (OpenAI, Sentence Transformers)
  • Vector database architectures (FAISS, ChromaDB, Qdrant, Pinecone)
  • Distance metrics and indexing strategies
  • Advanced chunking strategies
  • Metadata filtering and hybrid search
Hands-on Labs
  • Lab 5.1: Embedding comparison
  • Lab 5.2: Build FAISS index from scratch
  • Lab 5.3: ChromaDB with persistence
  • Lab 5.4: Metadata filtering
  • Lab 5.5: Chunking strategy comparison
  • Lab 5.6: Hybrid search implementation
Tools Introduced
  • OpenAI Embeddings
  • Sentence-Transformers
  • FAISS, ChromaDB, Qdrant
  • Elasticsearch for hybrid search
Deliverable: Vector search engine with multiple embedding models, 3+ vector DB implementations, advanced chunking, and performance benchmarks

WEEK 6: RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) Systems

  • RAG architecture patterns
  • Multi-format document parsing (PDF, DOCX, HTML, Markdown)
  • Query transformation and expansion
  • Re-ranking with cross-encoders
  • Context compression techniques
  • RAG evaluation and optimization
Deliverable: Enterprise RAG system with evaluation suite
Mini Project 3: Multi-Tenant Knowledge Base with Advanced RAG

WEEK 7: Agentic AI Fundamentals

  • Agentic AI vs traditional chatbots
  • Agent anatomy: reasoning, planning, memory, tools
  • ReAct (Reasoning + Acting) paradigm
  • Tool/function calling mechanisms
  • LangChain, LangGraph, SpringAI framework
  • Error handling and fallback strategies
Deliverable: Multi-tool agent solving 3+ step tasks

WEEK 8: Advanced Agentic Systems & Multi-Agent Workflows

  • Multi-agent architectures (sequential, hierarchical, collaborative)
  • Agent communication protocols
  • Memory systems (short-term, long-term, working memory)
  • Human-in-the-loop integration
  • Visual agent builders (Flowise, LangFlow)
  • Agent orchestration with LangGraph
Deliverable: Multi-agent research system with persistent memory

WEEK 9: Model Context Protocol (MCP) Integration

  • MCP architecture and protocol specification
  • Building custom MCP servers in Python
  • MCP client integration patterns
  • Enterprise system integration (databases, APIs, cloud services)
  • Security and authentication for MCP
  • Production deployment of MCP servers
Deliverable: Custom MCP server suite with agent integration
Mini Project 4: Autonomous Business Process Agent with MCP

WEEK 10: AI-Assisted Development & IDE Mastery

  • AI coding assistants deep dive (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Aider)
  • GitHub Copilot CLI for DevOps automation
  • IDE optimization for AI development (VS Code, PyCharm)
  • Live coding best practices and pair programming with AI
  • AI-assisted code review in CI/CD
  • Debugging with AI assistance
  • Future trends in AI-augmented development
Deliverable: AI-assisted development workflow with documented examples

WEEK 11: LLMOps, Production Deployment & Multi-Language Integration

  • LLMOps lifecycle and best practices
  • Deployment patterns (Docker, Kubernetes, serverless)
  • Monitoring and observability (Prometheus, Grafana, LangSmith)
  • Semantic caching and cost optimization
  • Security, compliance, and governance
  • Multi-language integration: Java and C# patterns for enterprise
Deliverable: Production-deployed LLM application with full monitoring

WEEK 12: Advanced Topics & Future-Ready Skills

  • Fine-tuning LLMs (LoRA, QLoRA)
  • Model quantization and optimization
  • Language Server Protocol (LSP) for AI tooling and code intelligence
  • Abstract Syntax Trees (AST) - ANTLR, Tree-sitter for code analysis
  • Knowledge Graphs for enhanced RAG (Neo4j, RDF, NetworkX)
  • Graph RAG and hybrid retrieval systems
  • Code understanding and generation using AST parsing
  • Semantic code search and analysis
  • Emerging trends: multimodal AI, agent-based development, compound AI systems
Deliverable: Advanced implementation (Fine-tuned model OR Knowledge Graph RAG OR AST-based tool)

WEEKS 11-12: Capstone Project

Choose one of four project tracks:

  • Option A: Multi-Language Enterprise RAG Platform
  • Option B: Autonomous Business Process Agent System
  • Option C: AI Development Platform with Code Analysis (AST/LSP)
  • Option D: Custom Use Case
Requirements
  • Production-ready implementation
  • Complete CI/CD pipeline with quality gates
  • Monitoring and cost tracking
  • Comprehensive documentation
  • Live demonstration and presentation
  • Architecture and design documentation
Evaluation Criteria

Technical implementation (30%), GenAI/Agentic features (20%), Production readiness (20%), CI/CD (10%), Documentation (10%), Presentation (5%), Innovation (5%)

4 Mini Projects Throughout Course

1
Text Classification API

Weeks 1-2

2
Document Processor

Weeks 3-4

3
Knowledge Base with RAG

Weeks 5-6

4
Business Process Agent

Weeks 7-9

Technology Stack

Core Technologies

  • Language: Python 3.10+
  • AI/ML: Hugging Face Transformers, Sentence-Transformers, OpenAI/Anthropic SDKs
  • Frameworks: LangChain, LangGraph, CrewAI, AutoGen
  • Vector DBs: FAISS, ChromaDB, Qdrant, Pinecone
  • Databases: PostgreSQL, Redis, Neo4j

Development Tools

  • IDEs: VS Code, Cursor, PyCharm, Jupyter Lab
  • AI Assistants: GitHub Copilot, Aider, Continue.dev
  • API Development: FastAPI, Pydantic
  • Testing: pytest, Locust

DevOps & Deployment

  • Containers: Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes
  • CI/CD: GitHub Actions
  • Monitoring: Prometheus, Grafana, LangSmith, LangFuse
  • Cloud: AWS/Azure/GCP (optional)

Advanced Tools

  • Code Analysis: ANTLR, Tree-sitter, Rope, Jedi
  • LSP: Python Language Server, Pylance
  • Knowledge Graphs: Neo4j, NetworkX, RDFLib
  • Documentation: Sphinx, MkDocs

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, you will be able to:

Build production-ready GenAI applications in Python
Design and implement advanced RAG systems with optimization
Develop autonomous agentic workflows with multi-agent collaboration
Create and integrate MCP servers for enterprise systems
Deploy LLM applications with full CI/CD pipelines
Use AI coding assistants to increase productivity 10x
Master IDE workflows for AI development
Fine-tune and optimize LLMs for specific domains
Implement monitoring and cost optimization at scale
Work with LSP and AST for code intelligence and analysis
Build knowledge graph-enhanced RAG systems
Integrate multi-language systems (Python/Java/C#) in enterprise

Course Highlights

70%

Hands-On - 4 mini projects + 1 capstone project

🚀

Production-Focused - Real deployment, monitoring, CI/CD

🐍

Python-First - Deep dive into Python AI ecosystem

🌐

Multi-Language Aware - Enterprise integration patterns

🔮

Future-Ready Skills - MCP, LSP, AST, Knowledge Graphs

🤖

AI-Assisted Learning - Master AI coding tools and IDE workflows

🎯

Industry-Aligned - Based on IIT curricula + current market needs

📁

Portfolio Building - GitHub projects with comprehensive documentation

Additional Resources Included

Access to premium AI tools and APIs
Curated reading lists and documentation
Community Discord access
Weekly office hours
Code review sessions
Job search and interview preparation
Certificate of completion

Time Commitment

  • Lectures & Tutorials: 2-3 hours/week
  • Hands-On Labs: 6-8 hours/week
  • Reading/Research: 2-3 hours/week
  • Projects: 10-15 hours (every 2-3 weeks)
  • Total: 10-20 hours/week depending on pace