MATH 161Discrete Mathematics and Logic

Logic underlies all of mathematics. This course introduces the basic notions of logic and discusses what makes some arguments good or valid, and others invalid. This leads to a definition of a mathematical proof, whereby the truth of mathematical statements is guaranteed. Other topics include sets, relations, functions, elementary counting principles, and an introduction to number theory. The second half of the course introduces the fundamental concepts of graph theory, which is the study of networks, which have applications from computing to disease transmission.

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Trimester One of three teaching periods that make up the academic year—usually March to June, July to October, and November to February.
CRN A unique number given to a single version of a course. It differentiates between courses with the same course code that are taught in different trimesters or streams, or in different modes (for example, in person or online).

Course details

Dates
24 Feb 2025 to 22 Jun 2025
Starts
Trimester 1
Fees
NZ$899.40 for
International fees
NZ$4,771.80
Lecture start times
  • Monday 9.00am
  • Wednesday 9.00am
  • Friday 9.00am
Campus
Kelburn
Estimated workload
Approximately 150 hours or 9.4 hours per week for 16 weeks
Points
15

Entry restrictions

Prerequisites
Corequisites
None
Restrictions
None

Taught by

School of Mathematics and StatisticsFaculty of Engineering

Key dates

Find important dates—including mid-trimester teaching breaks—on the University's key dates calendar.

You'll be told about assessment dates once the course has begun.

Key dates

About this course

This course covers ideas in discrete (finite) mathematics and logic. We will study propositional logic, proofs, induction, sets, relations, functions, elementary number theory, and introductory graph theory.

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If you’re in high school, this course is a great choice for our VicStart programme

If you pass any of ENGR 121–123, MATH 141–177, or QUAN 111 you can enroll in MATH 161.

Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

  1. Understand the important definitions and results in introductory discrete mathematics.

  2. Demonstrate their understanding by stating definitions and results and solving simple problems.

  3. Demonstrate an ability to create mathematical arguments and communicate them.

How this course is taught

This course is designed for in-person study, and students are strongly recommended to attend lectures and tutorials on campus.

Some assessment items will require in-person attendance, particularly tests and any exam.

During the trimester, there will be 3 lectures per week. Tutorials start in the second week of the trimester. You may be required to sign up for a tutorial. The tutorial timetable will be advertised in the first week of lectures, and then posted on the course website. You can go to as many tutorials as you like. It is strongly advised that you go to at least one.

Assessment

  • 1 final test Type: IndividualMark: 50%
  • 8 assignments Mark: 20%
  • 1 mid-course test Mark: 30%

Assessment dates and extensions

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Mandatory requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.

Lecture times and rooms

What you’ll need to get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.

Past versions of this course

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Selected offering

MATH 161

24 Feb–22 Jun 2025

Trimester 1 · CRN 17162

2025 course optionsOptions (1)