University of Cape Town · MAM5020F · 2026

Generative AI for Research

A postgraduate course on how generative AI is changing research practice.

From literature reviews to data analysis, writing to ethics. No prior programming, machine learning, or computer science background required.

Glossary →Papers to read →About →

Orientation & Introduction

I

Course Orientation

≈ 15 min
II

Course Introduction

≈ 15 min

Part 1Foundations

1

Foundations of Generative AI

≈ 2.5–3.5 hours
2

LLM Deep Dive

≈ 2–2.5 hours

Part 2Impacts & Ethics

3

Environmental Implications of AI

≈ 2–2.5 hours
4

Ethical Frameworks for AI in Research

≈ 2.5–3 hours

Part 3AI in the Research Workflow

5

AI-Assisted Literature Reviews

≈ 3–4 hours
6

AI for Writing, Communication & Research Ideation

≈ 3–4 hours
7

AI for Data, Code & Computation

≈ 3–4 hours
8

Multimodal AI for Research

≈ 3–4 hours

Part 4Frontiers & Critique

9

Critical Evaluation & Limitations of AI

≈ 3–4 hours
10

Agentic AI, RAG & Advanced Research Tools

≈ 3–4 hours
11

Future of AI in Research & Africa's Sovereign AI Capacity

≈ 3–4 hours
12

Integrative Capstone

≈ 3 hours

Advanced Track

A

Advanced Track — Agentic Research with Claude Code

MAM5020F 2026© 2026 Jonathan Shock · CC BY 4.0