Unit outline_

COMP2922: Models of Computation (Adv)

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an introduction to the foundations of computing. The main aims are to introduce and compare different models of computation based on state-machines, grammars and algebra, and logic.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Distinction level results in (INFO1110 or INFO1910 or INFO1113 or ENGG1810)
Corequisites
? 
COMP2123 or COMP2823
Prohibitions
? 
COMP2022
Assumed knowledge
? 

Discrete mathematics and probability (e.g. MATH1064 or equivalent)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sasha Rubin, sasha.rubin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Final written examination.
60% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Out-of-class quiz Quizzes
Administered on GS
22% Multiple weeks At least 10 days each AI allowed
Out-of-class quiz Assignments
Administered on GS
8% Multiple weeks At least 10 days each AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task EFT
Administered on GS #earlyfeedbacktask
2% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Aug 2025
At least 10 days AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Written work Advanced assignment 1
Administered on GS
2% Week 03
Due date: 24 Aug 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 Aug 2025
At least 10 days AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Written work Advanced Assignment 2
Administered on GS
2% Week 07
Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 21 Sep 2025
At least 10 days AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
Written work Advanced Assignment 3
Administered on GS
2% Week 10
Due date: 19 Oct 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Oct 2025
At least 10 days AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
Written work Advanced Assignment 4
Administered on GS
2% Week 12
Due date: 02 Nov 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 Nov 2025
At least 10 days AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO8 LO10 LO11
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. It is a requirement of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessments must be completed before their due date. No extensions of time or simple extensions are provided. Approved SC will result in a mark adjustment.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and main themes of the unit Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1
Week 02 Regular languages Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Regular languages Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 Regular languages Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 05 Context-free grammars Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO8 LO5
Week 06 Context-free grammars Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Turing Machines Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO7
Week 07 Turing Machines Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO10 LO11
Week 08 Turing machines Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO9
Week 09 Propositional Logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO12
Week 10 Propositional Logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO13 LO14
Week 11 Industry talks Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO12
Week 12 Predicate logic Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO15 LO16

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

  • LO1. demonstrate a knowledge of discrete mathematics, mathematical theorems and proofs
  • LO2. Design a deterministic (resp. nondeterministic) finite state machine to accept a specified language.
  • LO3. Generate a regular expression to represent a specified language.
  • LO4. Explain why the halting problem has no algorithmic solution.
  • LO5. Design a context-free grammar to represent a specified language.
  • LO6. Convert among equivalently powerful notations for a language, including among DFAs, NFAs, and regular expressions.
  • LO7. Explain the Church-Turing thesis and its significance.
  • LO8. Determine a language’s place in the Chomsky hierarchy (e.g., regular, context-free, Turing recognisable)
  • LO9. Define the classes P and NP.
  • LO10. Provide examples of uncomputable functions.
  • LO11. Prove that a problem is uncomputable by reducing a classic known uncomputable problem to it.
  • LO12. Convert logical statements from informal language to propositional and predicate logic expressions.
  • LO13. Apply formal methods of symbolic propositional and predicate logic, such as calculating validity of formulae and computing normal forms.
  • LO14. Use the rules of inference to construct proofs in propositional and predicate logic.
  • LO15. Describe how symbolic logic can be used to model real-life situations or applications, e.g., arising in computing contexts such as software analysis (e.g., program correctness), database queries, or algorithms.
  • LO16. Describe the strengths and limitations of propositional and predicate logic.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Focused the advanced portion of this unit on problem solving and proofs. Lowered the workload.

Assessments for COMP2922 will include all those of COMP2022, as well as some additional ones. See Ed for details.

IMPORTANT: School guidelines relating to Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

In assessing a piece of submitted work, the School of Computer Science may reproduce it entirely, may provide a copy to another member of faculty, and/or to an external plagiarism checking service or in-house computer program and may also maintain a copy of the assignment for future checking purposes and/or allow an external service to do so.

Computer programming assignments may be checked by specialist code similarity detection software. The Faculty of Engineering currently uses the MOSS similarity detection engine (see http://theory.stanford.edu/~aiken/moss/), or the similarity report available in ED (edstem.org) or Gradescope (gradescope.com). These programs work in a similar way to TurnItIn in that they check for similarity against a database of previously submitted assignments and code available on the internet, but they have added functionality to detect cases of similarity of holistic code structure in cases such as global search and replace of variable names, reordering of lines, changing of comment lines, and the use of white space.

All written assignments submitted in this unit of study will be submitted to the similarity detecting software program known as Turnitin. Turnitin searches for matches between text in your written assessment task and text sourced from the Internet, published works and assignments that have previously been submitted to Turnitin for analysis.There will always be some degree of text-matching when using Turnitin. Text-matching may occur in use of direct quotations, technical terms and phrases, or the listing of bibliographic material. This does not mean you will automatically be accused of academic dishonesty or plagiarism, although Turnitin reports may be used as evidence in academic dishonesty and plagiarism decision-making processes."

Additional costs

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Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.