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Unit outline_

COMP2922: Models of Computation (Adv)

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an introduction to the foundations of computational models, and their connection to programming languages/tools. The unit covers various abstract models for computation including Lambda Calculus, and Logic calculi (e.g. concept of formal proofs in propositional, predicate, and temporal logic). For each abstract model, we introduce programming languages/tools that are built on the introduced abstract computational models. We will discuss functional languages including Scheme/Haskell, and Prolog/Datalog.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Distinction level result in INFO1103 OR INFO1903 OR INFO1113
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
COMP2022
Assumed knowledge
? 

(MATH1004 OR MATH1904 OR MATH1064 OR MATH2069 OR MATH2969) AND (INFO1105 OR INFO1905 OR COMP2123 OR COMP2823)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sasha Rubin, sasha.rubin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online Quiz
Short weekly quizzes on Canvas
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2 LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam hurdle task Final exam
Final written examination.
50% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment Assignment
A mix of theory and programming
40% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

These penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date. Deduction of 20% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Propositional Logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Propositional Logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Predicate logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Predicate logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Regular languages, their representations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 06 Regular languages, their representations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 07 Regular languages, their representations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO9
Week 08 Context-free languages, their representations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 09 Context-free languages, their representations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Universal models of computations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO9 LO10
Week 11 Universal models of computations, and their uses Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Revision of unit of study Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a knowledge of discrete mathematics, mathematical theorems and proofs
  • LO2. hold an understanding of propositional logic, including syntax, semantics, proof systems, and some basic meta-theorems
  • LO3. demonstrate an ability to use languages/tools for propositional logic
  • LO4. hold an understanding of predicate logic, including syntax, semantics, proof systems, and some basic meta-theorems
  • LO5. hold an understanding of the concept of propositional and first order logic as a model of facts and of reasoning
  • LO6. hold an understanding of the concept of a formal language as a set of strings, and of operations on formal languages, in particular union, concatenation, and Kleene closure
  • LO7. demonstrate an ability to use regular languages and their representations by DFAs, NFAs, regular expressions, and regular grammars
  • LO8. demonstrate an ability to use context-free grammars as a model of formal languages
  • LO9. demonstrate an awareness of the Chomsky hierarchy, and the notions of decidability and intractability
  • LO10. demonstrate an awareness of universal models of computation, e.g., Turing machines, the lambda calculus and its application to functional programming

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Aligned some of the course material with textbooks.

Reference texts:

  • Introduction to the theory of computation, by Michael Sipser.
  • Elements of the Theory of Computation, by Harry Lewis and Christos Papadimitriou.
  • Logic for Computer Scientists, by Uwe Schöning.

 

IMPORTANT: School policy relating to Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

In assessing a piece of submitted work, the School of Computer Science may reproduce it entirely, may provide a copy to another member of faculty, and/or to an external plagiarism checking service or in-house computer program and may also maintain a copy of the assignment for future checking purposes and/or allow an external service to do so.

Additional costs

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Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.