This course introduces the foundational concepts of discrete mathematics that are essential for computer science, with a focus on logic, formal reasoning, and set theory. Discrete mathematics studies structures that are non-continuous and symbolic, making it the natural mathematical language of computation.

Discrete Math for Computer Science - Logic & Set Theory

Discrete Math for Computer Science - Logic & Set Theory
This course is part of Discrete Mathematical Tools for Computer Science Specialization

Instructor: Kenneth Wai-Ting Leung
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Apply counting techniques to compute possibilities in algorithms and data structures.
Apply rules of inference and proof techniques to verify correctness of statements.
Use sets, relations, and functions to represent and analyse computational structures.
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February 2026
4 assignments
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There are 5 modules in this course
This module introduces the foundations of discrete math through logic and set theory. Students learn to reason rigorously with statements, solve classic puzzles like knights and knaves, and manipulate collections of objects using set operations and Venn diagrams. It builds essential reasoning skills for consistent rule design, data modeling, and correct algorithm foundations in computer science.
What's included
1 video2 readings
Propositional logic studies logical statements that are either true or false and how they can be combined using logical connectives. This topic introduces propositions, truth values, compound statements, truth tables, and logical equivalences, forming the basis for precise reasoning, digital circuits, and formal proofs.
What's included
20 videos1 reading1 assignment
Predicate logic extends propositional logic by incorporating variables and quantifiers to express statements about collections of objects. It enables more expressive reasoning using predicates, universal and existential quantifiers, restricted domains, and nested quantifiers, allowing formal modeling of real-world and mathematical statements.
What's included
23 videos1 reading1 assignment
This topic focuses on formal reasoning through valid arguments and proofs. It introduces rules of inference for propositional and predicate logic and covers fundamental proof techniques such as direct proof, proof by contraposition, and proof by contradiction, which are essential for verifying mathematical and computational claims.
What's included
28 videos1 reading1 assignment
This topic introduces sets as collections of objects and functions as mappings between sets. It covers set notation, subsets, power sets, Cartesian products, cardinality, and basic properties of functions, providing essential tools for modeling data structures, relations, and mathematical abstractions in computer science.
What's included
28 videos1 reading1 assignment
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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
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Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
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