Unit of study_

COMP2922: Models of Computation (Adv)

2026 unit information

This unit provides an introduction to the foundations of computing. Its main aim is to introduce and compare different models of computation.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Engineering

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
(INFO1110 or INFO1910 or INFO1113 or ENGG1810) and (Distinction level results in INFO1110 or INFO1910 or INFO1113 or ENGG1810 or MATH1064 or MATH1964)
Corequisites:
? 
COMP2123 or COMP2823
Prohibitions:
? 
COMP2022
Assumed knowledge:
? 
Discrete mathematics (e.g. MATH1064 or equivalent)

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

  • LO1. Design abstract computational models (such as regular expressions, finite-state automata, context-free grammars, and Turing machines) for specified computational problems.
  • LO2. Describe the set of strings accepted/generated by a specified model (such as a specified regular expression, finite-state automaton, context-free grammar, or Turing machine).
  • LO3. Analyse abstract computational models, including converting among expressively equivalent models (e.g., among DFAs, NFAs, and regular expressions), as well as between different models (e.g., convert a regular expression to a context-free grammar).
  • LO4. Demonstrate a knowledge of examples of problems that cannot be solved by a given computational model.
  • LO5. Demonstrate a knowledge of basic discrete mathematics, including theorems, and proofs.
  • LO6. Characterise the computational resources needed to recognise a language, e.g., prove that a language is not regular, prove that a language is undecidable.
  • LO7. Construct and communicate mathematically sound proofs pertaining to abstract models of computation.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2026
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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