Bridging Academia and Industry: Leveraging Generative AI in a Software Engineering Course for Practical Industry Experiences

The rapid adoption of generative AI across the tech industry demands a corresponding evolution in educational practices. By proactively incorporating generative AI, educational institutions can ensure their programs remain relevant and continue to provide students with the skills necessary for career success. This work presents an intro Software Engineering course, Software Development Studio (SDS), designed and implemented by Google in collaboration with faculty, to ensure students acquire industry-relevant skills. The course focuses on integrating generative AI tools into software engineering practices, mirroring the evolving methodologies used by professionals in the field. The curriculum emphasizes practical, real-world projects, providing early undergraduate computer science students hands-on experience using generative AI tools. Data collected during the Spring 2024 semester from students and faculty reveals a positive experience and enhancement of software engineering learning through the integration of generative AI.