Formal logic is the fundamental mathematics of computer science. Its impact ranges from the design of programming languages and hardware, to the specification and verification of critical software, to artificial intelligence systems that can reason. This course introduces propositional and predicate logic. We discuss how to reason within these logics, how to reason about their properties and limitations, and how to use them to model situations of interest in both natural language and computer science applications. We explore how computational thinking can help us solve logic problems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Model natural language and computer science applications using logical notation.
2. Construct formal proofs in logical calculi.
3. Apply computational methods to solve logical problems.
4. Analyse the properties of logics, including the relationship between logical calculi and mathematical semantics.

Required Resources

There is no set textbook for this course, but slides for the first lecture will provide links and references to useful resources.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments and grading results for tutorial tests
• Live feedback in the tutorials, where questions can be asked and exercises are done live
• Automated feedback on Logic for Fun tasks, generated by the software on the site

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Workload

130 hours of student learning time across the semester includes:

• 5 hours scheduled time each week (3 lectures and one 2-hour tutorials) for 12 weeks (no labs in weeks 1 and 12)
• Students are expected to spend an average of 4-5 hours per week outside of scheduled labs revising concepts and practicing skills.

Appeals Procedure:

If you believe you have received an inappropriate or incorrect result, there are steps you can take to have that result reviewed. This must be done within 30 working days of the formal notification of results. Your first point of contact should be your tutor or the course convenor.

Academic honesty and plagiarism

Academic misconduct can seriously jeopardize your academic career, your future, and, if you are an international student, your ability to stay in Australia to study. It is the responsibility of each individual student to ensure that:

• they are familiar with the expectations for academic honesty, both in general and in the specific context of particular disciplines or courses
• work submitted for assessment is genuine and original
• appropriate acknowledgement and citation is given to the work of others
• they do not knowingly assist other students in academically dishonest practice.

Use of Generative AI tools

All assessment in this course will be conducted in an invigilated setting, and students will not be permitted to access to generative AI tools.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to propositional logic	No tutorial scheduled
2	Propositional logic and natural deduction	Tutorials begin (no test)
3	Soundness, completeness, and Logic4Fun	Weekly tutorial-based test. All tests cover material practiced in the previous week's tutorial.
4	Introduction to first order logic	Weekly tutorial-based test
5	Semantics of first order logic	Weekly tutorial-based test
6	Semantic tableaux	Weekly tutorial-based test
7	Introduction to temporal logic	Weekly tutorial-based test
8	Linear temporal logic and semantic tableaux	Weekly tutorial-based test
9	Computation tree logic	Weekly tutorial-based test
10	Model checking	Weekly tutorial-based test
11	Exam preparation	Weekly tutorial-based test
12	No lectures scheduled	No tutorial scheduled

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Weekly tutorial-based tests	50 %	1,2,3
Final exam	50 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly tutorial-based tests

In weeks 3 - 11 a short test will be held at the start of each tutorial, assessing the skill practiced at the previous week's tutorial. In some weeks this test will be on paper, while in other weeks students will be required to bring a portable computer for their work and submission. No specialised software will be required to be installed for this, but an online connection will be required. Each student's top 7 marks (of a possible 9 weeks) from these tests will count towards their final grade, each counting equally towards a total weight of 50%. There is no capacity to sit these tests except in person. If students are unable to attend their usual tutorial time, they must attend another tutorial that week if they wish to sit their week's test.

Assessment Task 2

Final exam

On-paper final exam of length approximately three hours, completed in person and on campus. This will be an open book exam where students may bring in any material, except for electronic devices.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Some tutorial tests will be conducted online. Tutors will give instructions on how to submit work through the Logic4Fun website.

Hardcopy Submission

Some tutorial tests will be conducted on paper. Tutors will gather this work.

Late Submission

This course has no assignments. Students who are not able to submit their work at the end of the time period for tutorial tests will not be marked. Students with Education Access Plans may receive additional time for tutorial tests according to the details of their plan.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students