# Programs and Courses

**Source**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/COMP1600
**Parent**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/AACOM

- Code
  [COMP1600](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1600)
- Unit Value
  6 units

- Offered by
  School of Computing
- ANU College
  ANU College of Systems and Society
- Course subject
  Computer Science
- Areas of interest
  Computer Science, Mathematics, Information Technology, Algorithms and Data, Computational Foundations

- Academic career
  UGRD
- Course convener
  - Prof Dirk Pattinson
- Mode of delivery
  In Person
- Co-taught Course
  - [COMP6260](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/COMP6260)
- Offered in

  Second Semester 2026\

  [See Future Offerings](#terms)
- STEM Course
- Graduate Attributes
  - Critical Thinking

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Foundations of Computing ([COMP1600](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1600))

- [Introduction](#introduction)
- [Learning Outcomes](#learning-outcomes)
- [Indicative Assessment](#indicative-assessment)
- [Workload](#workload)
- [Inherent Requirements](#inherent-requirements)
- [Requisite and Incompatibility](#incompatibility)
- [Prescribed Texts](#prescribed-texts)
- [Preliminary Reading](#indicative-reading-list)
- [Other Information](#other-information)
- [Fees](#fees)
- [Offerings and Dates](#terms)

This course presents some formal notations that are commonly used for the description of computation and of computing systems, for the specification of software and for mathematically rigorous arguments about program properties. The following areas of study constitute the backbone of the course. Predicate calculus and natural deduction, inductive definitions of data types as a basis for recursive functions and structural induction, formal language theory (particularly regular expressions, finite state machines and context-free grammars), and specification languages.

## Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Apply the concepts of mathematical logic to formulate assertions and construct proofs or refutations in a variety of formalisms.
2. Prove simple properties of recursive functions on inductively defined data structures using structural induction.
3. Prove simple programs correct using Hoare Logic.
4. Understand, analyse, and describe formal languages in a variety of representations including grammars and automata and Turing machines.
5. Apply standard concepts of computability and complexity theory to classify computational problems.

## Other Information

[Webpage of Foundations of Computing (COMP1600 / COMP6260)](https://comp.anu.edu.au/courses/comp1600/)

## Indicative Assessment

1. Assignments (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
2. Quizzes (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
3. Final Exam (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the [ANU Online](http://services.anu.edu.au/information-technology/software-systems/turnitin) website.

## Workload

Lectures, tutorials and self-directed study to a total of 130 hours.

## Inherent Requirements

None.

## Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed:
6 units of MATH courses and
[COMP1100](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1100) or [COMP1130](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP1130).
It is incompatible with [COMP6260](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/COMP6260).

## Prescribed Texts

None

## Preliminary Reading

[Webpage of Foundations of Computing (COMP1600 / COMP6260), section on reading material.](https://comp.anu.edu.au/courses/comp1600/resources/)

## Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.

**Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students**\
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at **[Fees](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions)**. 

Student Contribution Band:
:   [2](https://students.anu.edu.au/fees/domestic/csp.php)

Unit value:
:   6 units

If you are a **domestic graduate coursework student** with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place**or international student** you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at **[Fees](http://students.anu.edu.au/fees/)**.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

| Units | EFTSL |
| --- | --- |
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |

## Course fees

[Domestic](#indicative-fees__domestic)
[International](#indicative-fees__international)

Domestic fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $5520 |

International fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $7020 |

**Note:** Please note that fee information is for current year only.

\

## Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the [Timetable webpage](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling).

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
\

Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

[2026](#course-tab-1)

[2027](#course-tab-2)

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 8673 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10088 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |