Functional & Logic Programming (COMP3400)

Course overview

An introduction to functional and logic programming languages. Relative merits: extensibility vs. verifiability vs. efficiency. Computational models and semantics.

COMP3400 introduces Functional Programming and Logic Programming using the Haskell programming language. Students will require an installation of the Glasgow Haskell Compiler (GHC) to complete the coursework. While prior programming exposure is required, exposure to Functional Programming and Logic Programming is not necessary, as these topics will be introduced starting from definitions, before moving quickly into applying that knowledge.

This course aims to equip the student with the tools and problem-solving skills (which are typically not available in mainstream programming environments) to achieve software engineering outcomes using both Functional and Logic Programming. In addition to this, a key outcome is gaining the skills to make informed decisions on how to apply these new skills where appropriate. COMP3400 ultimately aims to diversify a student's problem-solving skills in the application of software engineering, by exploring Functional and Logic Programming, and to inform decision-making and application of skills, given a variety of software engineering approaches.

Course requirements

Assumed background

You are expected to:

• have successfully completed twoﾠprogramming courses in a modern, mainstream programming language (such as C++, Python, Java, C#);
• be familiar with programming workflows, such as using a the command line or IDE to compile and edit source code;
• have a working understanding of first order logic, set theory, and inference;ﾠ
• know how to read and write simple (direct and inductive) proofs.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MATH1061 and CSSE2002

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Practicals and contacts will commence teaching week 2. There are both on-campus and online practicals available. You must sign up for one practical session using Allocate+.

The in-person lectures will be live-streamed and recorded.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to equip the student with new tools, skills and problem-solving methods in the discipline of software engineering, using Functional Programming and Logic Programming. This course will emphasise ideas such as abstraction and program correctness, by utilising tools and concepts that are unavailable in other programming disciplines.

The primary objective of this course is to make students comfortable working with recursion in their day-to-day coding.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Assignment 1

Mode

Written

Category

Computer Code, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

4/04/2025 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Both written and code submission is done through GradeScope.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A 100% penalty will apply after a one-hour grace period which is provisioned in case of technical issues while submitting.

Assignment 2

Mode

Written

Category

Computer Code, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

2/05/2025 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Both written and code submissions are done through GradeScope.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A 100% penalty will apply after a one-hour grace period which is provisioned in case of technical issues while submitting.

Assignment 3

Mode

Written

Category

Computer Code, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

30/05/2025 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Both written and code submissions are done through GradeScope.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A 100% penalty will apply after a one-hour grace period which is provisioned in case of technical issues while submitting.

Final Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

55%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

At the discretion of the course coordinator, marks for assessment items may be adjusted upwards (uniformly across the class), but not downwards.

The marking for this course is calculated from two components:

1. Three assessments (A1, A2, A3), and
2. Exam (EXAM)

To calculate your final grade and mark, we use the overall mark (MARK); the mark for the exam (EXAM); and the marks awarded for each of the three assessments (A1, A2, A3).

Supposing A1, A2, A3, and EXAM are percentages in [0%, 100%]

MARK = CEILING(A1*15ﾠ+ A2*15ﾠ+ A3*15ﾠ+ EXAM*55)

Your mark will be computed using two digits precision, then rounded to the nearest integer.

Your final grade and final mark are then the highest grade for which your component results satisfy the criteria in the following table.

Note that the MIN(A1, A2, A3) >= 25% hurdle is *only* required for a Grade of 3. For example, a student who submits no coursework but achieves a perfect score on the exam will be awarded a Grade of 4.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Assignment remarking

We have the following policy for assignment remarking:

• Administrative errors (e.g., marks added up incorrectly) - speak to the lecturer or demonstrator and we will fix it.
• Other remarking - as per the UQ Assessment Procedure (Section 3 Part G https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184)

Having Troubles?

If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material you should seek help. Speak to your demonstratorﾠand/or the course co-ordinator.

If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help, for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).

Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the EECS Director of Teaching & Learning.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Course material and announcements will appear on EdStem and Blackboard.

Although we strive to design perfect assessments, problems are bound to arise, and we may issue changes to assessment items after an assessment has been deployed.ﾠ These changes will be communicated via announcements and therefore students are expected to check Blackboard and EdStem for announcements once every weekday. Failure to read and act on an announcement may result in a loss of marks.

Students are encouraged to participate in online discussions on EdStem to ask questions and provide answers. Discussion about course material is encouraged; however, strict conduct rules and university policies apply.ﾠ

Students are required to sign up for a (free) account withﾠexercism.io in order to complete practical tasks.

Students require access to a scanner or digital camera for submitting handwritten work, or otherwise be proficient in typesetting mathematical work into PDFs.

Students require access to GradeScope for submitting assessments.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• EECS School Guidelines for Students