Teaching Complex Systems based on Microservices
Undergraduate microservices education often lacks systematicity, conceptual depth, and hands-on rigor. Method: This study designed and implemented a structured microservices pedagogical framework for senior undergraduate computer science students at the University of São Paulo, involving over 80 learners. The framework integrates authentic industrial scenarios, collaborative learning, and agile development practices, covering core technical competencies—including microservices architecture, Docker-based containerization, RESTful API design, and CI/CD automation pipelines. Unlike conventional curricula, it delivers the first undergraduate-level, lifecycle-oriented instruction spanning microservices design, development, deployment, and team collaboration. Contribution/Results: Empirical evaluation demonstrated 100% project completion rate; students exhibited significantly enhanced comprehension of distributed systems principles and engineering proficiency; industry-readiness assessments improved by an average of 37%.