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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Undergraduate Course: Informatics 1 - Computation and Logic (INFR08012)

Course Outline
School School of Informatics College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) Credits 10
Home subject area Informatics Other subject area None
Course website http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/inf1 Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description The goal of this strand is to introduce the notions of computation and specification using finite-state systems and propositional logic. Finite state machines provide a simple model of computation that is widely used, has an interesting meta-theory and has immediate application in a range of situations. They are used as basic computational models across the whole of Informatics and at the same time are used successfully in many widely used applications and components. Propositional logic, similarly is the first step in understanding logic which is an essential element of the specification of Informatics systems and their properties.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed:
Co-requisites Students MUST also take: Informatics 1 - Functional Programming (INFR08013)
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements SCE H-grade Mathematics or equivalent is desirable.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-11 11:10 - 12:00
CentralLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
First Class Week 1, Thursday, 11:10 - 12:00, Zone: Central. Lecture Theatre 5, Appleton Tower
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes Stationery Requirements Comments
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:008 sides
Resit Exam Diet (August)2:008 sides
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Design a small finite-state system to describe, control or realise some behaviour.
2 - Evaluate the quality of such designs using standard engineering approaches.
3 - Apply the algebra of finite automata to design systems and to solve simple problems on creating acceptors for particular languages.
4 - Describe simple problems using propositional logic.
5 - For a given formula in propositional logic, draw a truth table for that formula and hence deduce whether that formula is true or not.
6 - Apply a system of proof rules to prove simple propositional theorems.
7 - Describe the range of systems to which finite-state systems and propositional logic are applicable and be able to use the meta theory to demonstrate the limitations of these approaches in concrete situations.
Assessment Information
Written Examination 100
Assessed Assignments 0
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment
Formative assessment will be used to provide feedback and guidance to students and will take the form of quizzes, exercise sheets, practical exercises and coursework assignments, covering areas from across the syllabus.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Finite-state systems as a basic model of computation: deterministic and non-deterministic automata; transducers; acceptors; structured design of finite state machines. Propositional logic: truth tables; natural deduction; resolution; elementary temporal logic.

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: computer based systems, theoretical computing
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list To be confirmed
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Lectures 20
Tutorials 10
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 0
Private Study/Other 70
Total 100
Keywords Not entered
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Ewan Klein
Tel: (0131 6)50 2705
Email: ewan.klein@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Ms Kirsten Belk
Tel: (0131 6)50 5194
Email: kbelk@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 31 January 2011 7:51 am