Teaching Complex Systems based on Microservices

2025-06-19

AI Summary

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%.

Technology Category

• Multiagent Systems: Multiagent Systems under Uncertainty
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Scalability, Parallel & Distributed Systems
• Machine Learning: Distributed Machine Learning & Federated Learning

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Bridging structured and unstructured data

Abstract

Developing complex systems using microservices is a current challenge. In this paper, we present our experience with teaching this subject to more than 80 students at the University of S~ao Paulo (USP), fostering team work and simulating the industry's environment. We show it is possible to teach such advanced concepts for senior undergraduate students of Computer Science and related fields.

Problem

• Teaching microservices-based complex systems to students
• Simulating industry environment in academic settings
• Enabling senior undergraduates to grasp advanced concepts

Innovation

• Teaching microservices for complex systems
• Simulating industry environment in education
• Fostering teamwork among senior students