CURV 894 - AI Prompting
Course Description
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. From writing and research, to design and data analysis, AI tools are being integrated into everyday workflows. Without effective prompts, AI tools cannot produce meaningful results. Like learning to use tools such as Google, Excel, or email was essential in the past, AI Prompting is quickly becoming a core skill in modern digital literacy. If you can prompt well, you can work smarter, faster, and more creatively – no matter your role.
In AI Prompting, you will be asked to demonstrate your ability to effectively prompt publicly-available generative AI tools to produce relevant results that meet specific objectives in a workplace scenario. This microcredential assess your proficiency in integrating knowledge, ethical awareness, audience understanding, and iterative refinement into real-world prompt engineering. You will also be evaluated on your ability to assess and evolve outputs to align with the audience and context of an assigned scenario.
Whether your goal is to advance your career or keep pace with the fast-moving world of AI, this microcredential validates the essential skills required to excel in AI Prompting.
What to Expect
This Curv microcredential demonstrates your proficiency in effectively prompting publicly-available generative AI tools to produce relevant results that meet specific objectives in a workplace scenario. When you sign up, we provide refresher resources and exercises you can do independently to practice your skills. Then, you will complete an assessment to demonstrate your competency. An expert will review your work, and you will receive your results with personalized feedback. If you meet our standard for expertise, you will receive a Toronto Metropolitan University Curv microcredential from the G. Raymond Chang School that validates your ability to:
- Construct a series of prompts using key components of a workplace scenario provided
- Describe the purpose of the prompt engineering activity
- Introduce the topic, including any caveats or considerations.
- Describe the primary and secondary audience for prompt engineering results.
- Review the results, and make improvements or correct any errors and inaccuracies, or start again.
- Consider ethical parameters and adapt accordingly.
Meet the Curv Creator
Meet Tamer. This microcredential was created by Dr. Tamer Abdou, expert in software engineering, data mining, artificial intelligence, and statistical analysis. His work has been implemented by leading firms such as Mozilla Corporation and IBM CAS Canada. Dr. Abdou is a widely respected Data Analytics professor and mentor in the field.
Who Should Take This Program?
This program is designed for professionals who rely on generative AI for administrative tasks, communication, data synthesis, and planning—and who want to validate and strengthen their prompt-engineering practices to ensure they remain purposeful, audience-aware, and ethically grounded.
Growing demand for this microcredential reflects the increasing importance of effective AI prompting, particularly for business professionals, content creators, client service specialists, and researchers seeking to optimize how they use AI in their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for this microcredential?
You should have foundational knowledge and skills before enrolling. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the following statements, then you may be ready to enrol:
- Basic computer literacy (hardware, software, Internet, etc.)
- Ability to use a publicly available generative AI tool
- Ability to construct effective prompts to produce work-related written or verbal insights
- Ability to apply structured methods for interpreting prompts
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of AI fundamentals, including prompt types, LLM behaviour, chain vs. golden prompting
- Knowledge and familiarity with ethical frameworks, including bias detection, privacy, transparency
What do I need to do for the assessment?
During the assessment, you will receive a randomly assigned scenario. You will be required to perform a prompt engineering task using a generative AI tool. Your task is to design and refine prompts, workflows, and guardrails that ensure reliable, ethical, and audience-appropriate AI outputs. Using a simple log or workbook, your work should demonstrate how you apply prompt engineering techniques to produce grounded, useful, and professional outputs using only the approved scenario data.
What are the technological requirements for the assessment?
You will need a:
- Stable Internet connection (no minimum connection speed required)
- Computer with an Internet browser (e.g., Edge, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) Note: Chrome Internet browser is recommended for optimal experience
- Mobile phone* capable of receiving an SMS text message
*Why do I need a mobile phone? A mobile device is required for two-factor authentication to log in to the my.torontomu.ca portal and access the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace).
How much time do I have to complete the assessment after enrolling?
Your microcredential will last two weeks. In the first week, you will have access to the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace) to explore the supporting materials and practice activities that prepare you for the assessment. The supporting materials are self-paced and can take approximately two to eight hours to complete, depending on your prior knowledge and experience.
In the second week, you will gain access to the assessment. You will be able to open the assessment window at any time within that second week. Depending on the microcredential, the assessment window may be time limited (for example, three hours).
What are my support options?
Upon enrolling, you will have access to refresher resources and exercises. Your expert assessor will be available through the D2L Support Forum for any questions prior to the assessment. If you have any questions or experience any technical issues, you may contact Toronto Metropolitan University’s Computing and Communications Services (CCS) by email or phone.
What happens once I complete the assessment?
A week after you complete the assessment, you will receive your result from an expert assessor.
If you are able to meet the criteria and pass the assessment, you will receive a shareable Curv Microcredential digital credential from The Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University. This credential can be shared on your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or anywhere you want to display your achievements.
If you are not able to meet the criteria and do not pass the assessment, you can re-enrol and try again when the next offering of this microcredential is available. Be sure to review your feedback and ensure that you have filled any gaps in knowledge or skill before registering for a future offering of this microcredential.