SelectAI Course Prototype

Practical AI/ML Engineering

A flexible, premium learning path for working professionals and slightly experienced builders who want hands-on AI/ML engineering practice tied to real databases, agentic systems, security, fine-tuning, and deployment.

20 Weeks Suggested, flexible guided path
9 Phases Structured across 5 specialization kits
40+ Labs Build-first exercises and challenge work
4 Capstones Portfolio-ready applied projects

Built for professionals who need real implementation confidence

This is not theory-led AI learning. It is a project-shaped engineering path designed to produce hands-on delivery skill.

Who this is for

  • Working professionals who want to upskill without leaving practical engineering context.
  • Learners with slight experience who want to move beyond tutorials into live-project thinking.
  • Builders who need exposure to LangChain, LangGraph, MCP, database-connected AI, and deployment readiness.
  • Teams exploring AI implementation skills with emphasis on traceability, security, and production discipline.
Local-First

Setup that mirrors real engineering work

Python, VS Code, Git, .venv, and .env usage are treated as baseline discipline from the first phase.

Connected Systems

Databases appear early, not at the end

SQLite, ChromaDB, and FAISS are introduced early so learners build with state, retrieval, and persistent context.

Evaluation Driven

Tracing and checkpoints are part of the workflow

LangSmith traces, retrieval checks, and graph checkpoints turn each lab into measurable engineering practice.

Scaffolded to Independent

Support reduces as delivery confidence rises

Guided labs, solo exercises, and challenge tasks gradually shift learners toward independent project execution.

A modular journey across 5 specialization kits

The pacing is flexible, but the path stays structured so working professionals can see how each layer compounds into production capability.

Suggested Structure

One progression, multiple specialization pivots

The course moves from foundations into retrieval, agent systems, protocol design, safety, local models, and deployment without breaking continuity.

Flexible Schedule
  • Phases 1-2 establish engineering setup, LLM calling patterns, and database-connected workflows.
  • Phases 3-5 advance into RAG, LangGraph, and Model Context Protocol integration.
  • Phases 6-8 add security, fine-tuning, deployment, and AgentOps discipline.
  • Phase 9 turns the stack into capstone delivery with business framing and demonstrable output.
Kit 01

Foundations and Environment

Local-first setup, Groq basics, prompt engineering, LCEL, and tracing foundations.

Kit 02

Data and Retrieval Systems

SQLite, text-to-SQL, chunking, embeddings, ChromaDB persistence, and FAISS retrieval.

Kit 03

Agentic Workflows

RAG patterns, LangGraph supervisors, tool-calling agents, and memory-backed flows.

Kit 04

Security and Model Customization

Prompt injection defense, PII masking, source validation, LoRA and QLoRA practicals.

Kit 05

Deployment and Capstone

FastAPI, streaming, CI/CD, environment separation, production tracing, and final project delivery.

The curriculum path from basics to live-project readiness

Each phase stays outcome-oriented and connects directly to the tools, systems, and operating practices used in applied AI work.

01 Weeks 1-2

Foundations and Environment Setup

  • Python local setup, developer ergonomics, and project organization.
  • Groq API basics, prompt engineering, LCEL, and first traced LLM calls.
Build focus Simple prompt routing and traced interactions that establish debugging habits early.
02 Weeks 3-4

Database Connection and LLM Strategy

  • SQLite for AI workloads and text-to-SQL with LangChain SQLDatabaseChain.
  • Chunking, embeddings, ChromaDB persistence, and FAISS indexing strategy.
Build focus Connected applications that combine structured data and vector retrieval, not isolated prompts.
03 Weeks 5-7

RAG Engineering

  • Naive to advanced RAG patterns, conversational memory, and routing.
  • Retrieval and faithfulness evaluation using measurable checks.
Build focus Move from document retrieval demos into grounded answer systems with evaluation in place.
04 Weeks 8-10

Agentic AI with LangGraph

  • StateGraph workflows, tool calling, supervisor patterns, and multi-agent graphs.
  • Database-connected agents with long-term memory and checkpointing.
Build focus Agent flows that are inspectable, stateful, and shaped for reliable operations.
05 Weeks 11-12

Model Context Protocol

  • MCP host, client, and server concepts with transport awareness.
  • Custom tools, resources, and multi-server agent connections.
Build focus Protocol-driven tool orchestration for web, database, and filesystem workflows.
06 Weeks 13-14

AI Security and Guardrails

  • Prompt injection defense, jailbreak awareness, PII masking, and source validation.
  • Least-privilege tool design and secure agent control surfaces.
Build focus Security is treated as implementation design, not a post-delivery patch.
07 Weeks 15-16

Fine-Tuning and Local Models

  • LoRA and QLoRA with Unsloth, dataset preparation, and experiment comparison.
  • Colab training plus local inference with Ollama.
Build focus Measured comparison between base and tuned behavior rather than tuning for its own sake.
08 Weeks 17-18

Deployment and AgentOps

  • FastAPI wrapping, streaming responses, environment separation, and connection discipline.
  • CI/CD with tests and evaluation checks on every pull request.
Build focus Production-facing delivery standards that align AI prototypes with engineering operations.
09 Weeks 19-20

Business Patterns and Capstone

  • Business-oriented AI use cases, ROI framing, and solution positioning.
  • Build, document, and demonstrate a capstone with repository, app, and traces.
Build focus Delivery narrative, implementation depth, and demonstration quality for real stakeholders.

Hands-on builds that turn concepts into engineering repetition

The full 40+ lab breakdown is inquiry-driven. This prototype highlights representative labs across the stack.

Foundation Labs

Prompting, tracing, and first orchestration

  • Groq hello-world with LangSmith tracing.
  • Prompt routing with LCEL and structured local development habits.
  • First traced LLM call with debugging checkpoints.
Data Labs

Structured and vector-connected systems

  • Text-to-SQL agent connected to a real SQLite workflow.
  • End-to-end RAG pipeline using chunking, embeddings, and ChromaDB.
  • FAISS-backed retrieval experiments and grounding analysis.
Agent and MCP Labs

Multi-step coordination with tools and protocol layers

  • First LangGraph agent and a multi-agent supervisor graph.
  • MCP server connected to a LangGraph agent.
  • Database and filesystem-aware tool orchestration.
Safety and Delivery Labs

Secure, tuned, and deployable AI systems

  • Prompt injection defense and PII masking pipeline.
  • LoRA and QLoRA experimentation for local model adaptation.
  • FastAPI deployment with automated evaluation and tracing.

Need the full lab catalogue, schedules, or role-based guidance for your team? Contact SelectAI for the detailed breakdown.

Request Full Lab Details

Designed to produce build confidence and proof of work

The program is meant to leave learners with implementation depth, project artifacts, and clear next steps into real-world delivery.

Mentor Support

Guidance with room for independent execution

  • Guided labs at the start, challenge-led work as the path advances.
  • Implementation-focused help around architecture, debugging, and delivery tradeoffs.
Certification Path

Completion framed around demonstrable capability

  • Capstone completion, repository quality, and trace-backed workflows form the evidence base.
  • Useful for internal team credibility and external portfolio signaling.
Project Outcomes

Artifacts that map to live engineering work

  • Repositories, retrieval systems, agents, secure pipelines, APIs, and deployment flows.
  • Implementation references that are easier to discuss in live-project environments.
Flexible Enrollment

Inquiry-driven onboarding for individuals or teams

  • Schedule, depth, and pacing can be discussed based on learner background and goals.
  • Suitable for professionals balancing delivery work with structured upskilling.

Four portfolio-ready delivery tracks

Capstone 01

Company knowledge base chatbot

Build a grounded internal assistant with retrieval, evaluation, and access-aware response behavior.

Capstone 02

Multi-agent research assistant

Design a supervisor-led research workflow with tool invocation, checkpointing, and response synthesis.

Capstone 03

Fine-tuned expert plus RAG hybrid

Compare base and tuned behavior, then layer retrieval for stronger domain grounding and response control.

Capstone 04

Secure MCP-powered agent system

Combine tool whitelisting, source validation, and protocol-connected tools into a production-minded agent flow.

Common enrollment and fit questions

Inquiry-driven enrollment means the final guidance can be adapted, but these are the most likely questions from working professionals.

Is this course beginner-friendly?

It is better suited to learners who already have slight technical exposure and want to move into hands-on AI engineering. The path starts with setup and foundations, but it is designed to progress quickly into real implementation work.

Can working professionals follow the 20-week plan?

Yes. The 20-week structure is suggested and flexible. The path is designed so professionals can pace the modules around existing delivery work while still following a clear progression.

Will I get detailed lab breakdowns and capstone guidance?

Yes, but the full lab matrix and pathway details are shared through the inquiry process so the guidance can match your role, experience level, and intended project outcomes.

Is pricing shown publicly?

No. This offering is inquiry-driven so SelectAI can recommend the right enrollment path, depth, and support model for individuals or teams.

What makes this different from generic AI tutorials?

The emphasis is on local-first development, database-connected workflows, traceable systems, security, evaluation, and deployment. The learning path is shaped like engineering delivery, not just prompt experimentation.

What should I do if I need help choosing the right fit?

Use the enrollment inquiry below. SelectAI can guide you on suitability, expected preparation, schedule flexibility, and whether the path is best for individual upskilling or team enablement.

Start your Practical AI/ML Engineering path

Share your background, goals, and timeline. SelectAI will guide you on fit, learning depth, flexible pacing, and the full lab or capstone detail relevant to your needs.

Working professionals Flexible schedule Project-driven learning Inquiry-based enrollment
What to include

A short note about your current experience, preferred learning pace, and whether you want the full lab breakdown, capstone guidance, or team-oriented enablement details.

  • Your current role or technical background.
  • The topics you most want hands-on depth in.
  • Whether you are exploring solo enrollment or team participation.

Need the full curriculum or role-based recommendations? Mention it in your message.

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