University of California, Santa Cruz

AI Agent Architecture with the Model Context Protocol

University of California, Santa Cruz

AI Agent Architecture with the Model Context Protocol

Paddu Melanahalli

Instructor: Paddu Melanahalli

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze the LLM Context Window constraint and token cost as primary drivers for specialized architecture.

  • Design and implement the MCP Server/Client framework and construct two core services (RAG and Sliding Window Cache) for efficient context management.

  • Develop an intelligent agent that uses a tool protocol for dynamic, context-aware decision-making.

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Recently updated!

March 2026

Assessments

10 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to Module 1: Foundations of Context Protocol. This module is the most critical in the course because we're not just defining a technology; we're establishing the architectural imperative for why the Modular Context Protocol (MCP) must exist. If you understand the fundamental constraints we cover here, the rest of the course—RAG, Memory, Agents—will click into place instantly.

What's included

2 videos2 assignments

Welcome to Module 2! We're now focusing on the first major capability of the Modular Context Protocol: Retrieve, powered by Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). We will learn how RAG overcomes core LLM limitations by retrieving only the most relevant, verifiable information at query time.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

This module focuses on the Context pillar of the Modular Context Protocol (MCP). We are moving beyond retrieval to give the LLM the ability to remember (Memory) and act (Agents), making it a truly stateful and useful assistant.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

This module transitions the MCP architecture from a functional prototype to an enterprise-grade production system. It focuses on the "Three Horsemen of Production" to ensure AI agents are fast, trustworthy, and measurable. We will learn to implement scientific evaluation frameworks and robust defense mechanisms against malicious inputs.

What's included

2 videos2 readings3 assignments

In this final module, we will synthesize the Modular Context Protocol (MCP) framework, integrating RAG, Sliding Window Memory, and Agent Routing, into a single, high-performance system. This is the transition from building individual components to mastering a cost-controlled, enterprise-grade AI architecture.

What's included

1 video1 assignment

Instructor

Paddu Melanahalli
University of California, Santa Cruz
1 Course 144 learners

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.