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| Math Background |
In Computer Science 331 mathematical language will be used to describe the problems that are to be solved in a reasonably precise and formal way. Mathematics will also be used to identify conditions that are expected to hold at various points during the execution of computer programs, and to state and prove claims about the correctness and efficiency of the algorithms and data structures that are being presented in the course.
A significant amount of the material that is presented in Mathematics 271 will be applied in Computer Science 331. Since the mathematics course is a “prerequisite or corequisite” rather than a prerequisite it certainly will not be assumed that students are already familiar with this material. Accordingly, this material will be applied in a gradual way and only after (or, occasionally, at the same time as) the time when it is introduced in the discrete mathematics course.
Mathematical logic is used whenever requirements for programs are specified in a formal way and whenever algorithms and programs are proved to be correct. It is therefore helpful (but not essential) if students have taken Philosophy 279 or 377 before taking Computer Science 331 or if they are taking Philosophy 279 or 377 at the same time as Computer Science 331.
Each of the following references could be used as a textbook for Mathematics 271 (indeed, one of these is commonly used as the textbook for this course) and includes a readable introduction to the material from mathematics and logic that will be used in Computer Science 331.
Susanna S. Epp
Discrete Mathematics with Applications, Third Edition
Thomson, 2002
This book has been used as the textbook for Mathematics 271 in recent years. Several copies of this book are available on reserve for short-term use at the University of Calgary library. Printed copies can be purchased at Amazon or Chapters.
Kenneth H. Rosen
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Sixth Edition
McGraw Hill, 2007
This book is somewhat more advanced than Epp’s text but also provides a readable introduction to the material that will be used in Computer Science 331. Several copies of this are available on reserve for short-term use at the University of Calgary library. Printed copies can be purchased at Amazon or Chapters.
Note: Several other books have been used as textbooks for Mathematics 271 over the years. These are generally less suitable as references for Computer Science 331 than the ones listed above because they do not include material about proving correctness of algorithms.
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