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There are 5 modules in this course
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.
You will begin by learning propositional and predicate logic, developing the ability to translate natural-language statements into precise formal expressions. The course covers logical operators, equivalence, quantifiers, and rules of inference, providing the tools needed to construct and evaluate rigorous arguments and proofs.
The course then introduces set theory and functions, which form the backbone of data modeling and abstraction in computer science. Topics include set operations, relations, functions, and cardinality, along with their close connections to logical reasoning.
Emphasizing understanding and problem-solving over memorization, this course builds the mathematical maturity required for algorithm design, program correctness, and advanced topics in the specialization.
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
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 6 minutes
Introduction to Discrete Mathematics•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Introduction to Discrete Mathematics•10 minutes
Introduction to Discrete Math for Computer Science (Logic & Set Theory)•10 minutes
Propositional Logic
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
20 videos•Total 48 minutes
Propositional logic Overview•1 minute
L01-01 What is Logic?•4 minutes
Propositions_ Intro•1 minute
(Optional) Propositions_ Example•1 minute
Compound Propositions_ Intro•1 minute
Compound Propositions_ Logical Operator and Truth Table•3 minutes
Compound Propositions_ Conditional Statement and Biconditional Statement, Necessary and sufficient conditions•6 minutes
Compound Propositions_ Conditional Statement in Eng and Example•1 minute
Propositional Equivalences_ Revisit the Knight and Knave puzzle•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
Propositional Logic•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Quiz 1•20 minutes
Predicate Logic (First-order logic)
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Further Example & Negating Nested Quantifiers•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
Predicate-Logic•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz 2•30 minutes
Inference
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
28 videos•Total 83 minutes
🔴Inference Overview•2 minutes
Inference Introduction•2 minutes
Rules of Inference_Intro•2 minutes
Rules of Inference_Argument•1 minute
Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Propositional Logic•4 minutes
(Optional) Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Propositional Logic_Example1 & 2•2 minutes
(Optional) Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Propositional Logic_Example3•2 minutes
Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Propositional Logic_Invalid Argument•1 minute
Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Predicate Logic_Intro & Example1•2 minutes
(Optional) Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Predicate Logic_Example2•3 minutes
(Optional) Rules of Inference_Rules of Inference for Predicate Logic_Example3•2 minutes
Basic Proof Techniques_Direct Proof_Limitation of Direct Proofs•0 minutes
Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contraposition•1 minute
(Optional) Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contraposition_Example1•3 minutes
(Optional) Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contraposition_Example2•4 minutes
Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contradiction•3 minutes
(Optional) Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contradiction_Example1•13 minutes
(Optional) Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contradiction_Example2•4 minutes
Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contradiction_Proving Biconditional Statements & Example•3 minutes
(Optional) Basic Proof Techniques_Proof by Contradiction_Example3•3 minutes
Some comments on proofs•3 minutes
Theorems and Proofs•3 minutes
(Optional) InclassEx•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
Inference•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz 3•30 minutes
Sets-Functions
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
28 videos•Total 101 minutes
Sets-Functions Overview•3 minutes
Sets_Set & Set Builder•2 minutes
Sets_Some Important Sets•1 minute
Sets_Empty Set and Singleton Set•1 minute
Sets_Set Equality•1 minute
Sets_Subset•3 minutes
Sets_Proper Subset, Cardinality of Finite Sets & Power Set•1 minute
Sets_Ordered Tuple•1 minute
Sets_Cartesian Product & Relation•7 minutes
Sets_Union & Intersection•2 minutes
Sets_Union, Intersection, and Cardinality•6 minutes
Sets_Difference and Complement•2 minutes
Sets_Set Identities and Logic Equivalences•3 minutes
Functions_Function & Examples•8 minutes
Functions_Injective Function & Surjective Function•5 minutes
Functions_Bijection•8 minutes
Functions_Inverse Function & Example•4 minutes
Functions_Composition & Example•1 minute
(Optional) InclassEx•4 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_Hilbert’s Grand Hotel•1 minute
Cardinality of Sets_Cardinality of Infinite Sets•3 minutes
(Optional) Cardinality of Sets_Cardinality of Infinite Sets_Example•4 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_Q is countable & String•3 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_R is uncountable•5 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_Compare infinite sets•7 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_The Contiuum Hypothesis & Schroder-Bernstein Theorem•3 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_S smaller than P(S)•10 minutes
Cardinality of Sets_Uncomputable functions•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
Sets-Functions•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Quiz 4•20 minutes
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
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Is financial aid available?
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.