Claude Code: Software Engineering with Generative AI Agents

Vanderbilt’s course treats the developer’s role as directing and evaluating a coding agent. Its modules consider code quality, reusable project context, branching and worktrees, followed by reasoning and visual input. This focus helps distinguish it from an installation tutorial: the recurring question is how to define a good result and organize the work needed to produce it.

What you will learn

• Create a rubric for a proposed code change.
• Organize agent work with branches and project context.
• Use visual input to clarify a development request.

Who this suits

The provider labels this beginner but expects basic software development and Git experience. It introduces the AI workflow rather than programming fundamentals.

Before you enroll

Productivity claims in promotional material are not a predictable outcome for every project. Compare correctness, review effort and maintainability alongside the time spent generating code.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Tool subscriptions, model API usage and cloud services may cost extra.

Put it into practice

Give the agent two implementation options for one feature. Evaluate both against the same tests and maintainability rubric before choosing a solution.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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