Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning
Students study and practice systematic formal reasoning using either the symbolic languages of mathematics and logic or the combinations of text and symbols characteristic of computer software. They learn when and how to apply formal reasoning to particular problems and subject matters.
Learning Goals: By the end of the course, students should be able to
- Recognize when examination of a phenomenon or situation can benefit from problem solving techniques and analyses that use formal reasoning.
- Use their expertise in some applications of formal reasoning and know when to call upon domain experts when a problem is beyond their personal expertise.
- Generate artifacts that require formal reasoning and planning. These artifacts might include logical proofs, mathematical computations, software, simulations, problem solutions, or plans/analyses in a variety of disciplines that require a formal, systematic component.