Bachelor 2024/2025

Discrete Mathematics

Type: Compulsory course (Data Science and Business Analytics)

Area of studies: Applied Mathematics and Information Science

Delivered by: Big Data and Information Retrieval School

Where: Faculty of Computer Science

When: 1 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Evgeny V. Dashkov

Language: English

ECTS credits: 7

Contact hours: 96

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course encompasses many topics important for both computer scientists and practitioners from their earliest stages, which are not covered by more traditional basic courses like Calculus. These come from different branches of mathematics such as logic, combinatorics, probability theory etc. Pre-requisites: High school elementary algebra.

Learning Objectives

• To prepare students for studying the subsequent courses which use the set-theoretic, combinatorial, graph or probability formalism.
• To teach students how to identify a typical problem of Discrete Mathematics in a problem given, either applied or theoretical.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop skills in formalizing and solving applied problems using the methods of Discrete Mathematics.
• Students will gain an understanding of propositional and predicate logic.
• Students will gain an understanding of several major theorems in discrete mathematics (Euler's theorem, Fermat's little theorem, Chinese remainder theorem).
• Students will gain an understanding of the set theory.
• Students will master basic concepts and methods of Discrete Mathematics as far as these are necessary for studying more advanced courses and for the future professional life.
• The student is able to formalize simple mathematical and real-world ideas with logical connectives and quantifiers and to comprehend such formalizations.
• The student is able to solve simple problems in integer arithmetic applying classical results and concepts.
• The student is able to produce rigorous axiom-based proofs for easy set existence problems; the student is able to prove set algebra equivalence.
• The student is able to reason about equations in binary relation algebra.
• The student is able to compare sets by cardinality (in easy situations).
• The student is able to solve standard combinatorial problems and to produce double counting proofs.
• The student is able to apply order and equivalence formalism to various problems and to solve such problems in abstract setting.
• The student is able to apply generating functions to combinatorial problems.

Course Contents

• The language of mathematics
• The basics of arithmetic
• Set theory elements
• Binary relations
• Set cardinality
• Basics of combinatorics
• Orders and equivalences
• Generating functions

Assessment Elements

• HW_A
  The homework includes 2 problem sets in Module 1. The deadlines are announced on giving each set. Every problem set consists of about 10 – 15 problems, some of which are labeled as ‘bonus’ while all the remaining are considered ‘ordinary’. These sets may be subdivided further for students’ convenience.
• HW_B
  The homework includes 7 problem sets in Modules 2 and 3. The deadlines are announced on giving each set. Every problem set consists of about 10 – 15 problems, some of which are labeled as ‘bonus’ while all the remaining are considered ‘ordinary’. These sets may be subdivided further for students’ convenience.
• Colloq
  An oral colloquium is held at the beginning of Module 3. Each student is given two questions concerning statements and definitions as well as one question requiring a proof. After no less than 45 minutes of preparation (when using any literature is allowed), the student is required to answer ‘from scratch’, that is, with no recourse to any materials. The examiner may pose additional questions as he sees fit.
• Bonus
  A variety of ‘bonus activities’ (like quizzes, etc.).
• Exam1
  A written examination is held past Module 1. Students may not consult any sources during the exam. The examination takes about 120 minutes. Some problems of the exam are labeled as ‘bonus’; the others are ‘ordinary’.
• Exam2
  A written examination is held past Module 3. Students may not consult any sources during the exam. The examination takes about 120 minutes. Some problems of the exam are labeled as ‘bonus’; the others are ‘ordinary’.

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 1st module
  0.5 * Exam1 + 0.5 * HW_A
• 2024/2025 3rd module
  0.06 * Bonus + 0.295 * Colloq + 0.35 * Exam2 + 0.295 * HW_B

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Discrete mathematics, Biggs, N. L., 2004
• Extremal combinatorics : with applications in computer science, Jukna, S., 2011
• Generatingfunctionology, Wilf, H. S., 1990
• Introduction to enumerative combinatorics, Bona, M., 2007
• Ordered sets, Harzheim, E., 2005
• Sets, functions and logic : basic concepts of university mathematics, Devlin, K. J., 1981
• Алгебра и теория чисел : сборник задач для математических школ, Алфутова, Н. Б., 2002
• Задачи по теории множеств, математической логике и теории алгоритмов, Лавров, И. А., 2004
• Комбинаторика, Виленкин, Н. Я., 2006
• Лекции о производящих функциях, Ландо, С. К., 2007
• Математическая индукция, Шень, А., 2007
• Математическая логика, Клини, С. К., 1973
• Основы теории чисел : учебник для вузов, Виноградов, И. М., 1972

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Lovász, L., Pelikán, J., & Vsztergombi, K. (2003). Discrete Mathematics : Elementary and Beyond. New York: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=108108

Authors

• DASHKOV EVGENIY VLADIMIROVICH
• DANILOV BORIS RADISLAVOVICH