Disciplines and areas of study
Logic
Program Coordinator: Dr Ross Brady (Philosophy).
Logic is the study of valid patterns of argument. As such, it has wide applications ranging from everyday reasoning to disciplines such as computing and mathematics, which employ profoundly complex reasoning. Introductory units in logic (for example LOG1BEL Beginning Logic and LOG2DLO/LOG3DLO Deductive Logic) enable students to assess many everyday arguments for validity using straightforward techniques and hence are invaluable in any area of human endeavour. The unit PHI1CRT/PHI1CRT Critical Thinking is designed to introduce students to the application of informal logical techniques to the critical analysis of discursive writing. We also offer the computationally oriented unit LOG2AUR/LOG3AUR Automated Reasoning that is quite valuable for students who are combining logic with computer science units and LOG2FOL/LOG3FOL Frontiers of Logic which gives students an account of recent logical developments since the 1960s.
As a discipline, logic has significant links with philosophy, mathematics, computer science, and linguistics. Some units in each of these disciplines are approved for credit towards a sequence in logic, and logic provides a useful adjunct to studies in any of these disciplines.
Programs of study
Students who wish to satisfy their degree requirements by a major in logic are required to take 130 credit points: 30 credit points at first year level, 40 credit points at second year level and 60 credit points at third year level, and including at least 90 credit points of logic units. The balance can be selected from the list of units below.
| Teaching period | Unit title | Unit code |
|---|---|---|
| First year units (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Critical Thinking | PHI1CRT |
| TE-SEM-2 | Beginning Logic | LOG1BEL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Critical Thinking2 | PHI1CRT |
| Second or third year units (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Automated Reasoning1 | LOG2AUR/LOG3AUR |
| TE-SEM-1 | The Ways of Paradox | PHI2TWP/PHI3TWP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Deductive Logic | LOG2DLO/LOG3DLO |
| TE-SEM-2 | Frontiers of Logic1 | LOG2FOL/LOG3FOL |
| Third year units (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | LOG3RCA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | LOG3RCB |
- Key: 1 Not available in 2008.
- 2 Online unit.
Important notice: Not all of the units listed below will be available every year. See the unit descriptions for availability and semester of offer.
Other units approved for a logic major
Students should note that no more than 40 credit points from all units listed below might be credited towards a logic major without the specific approval of the Logic Coordinator.
| Unit title | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Computer science units | |
| Pure mathematics units | |
| Second or third year units | |
| Language, Meaning and Understanding | PHI2LMU/PHI3LMU |
| Philosophy of Science A | PHI2PSA/PHI3PSA |
| Semantics and Pragmatics: the relationship between meaning and use | LIN2SEM/LIN3SEM |
| Syntax: the relationship between meaning and structure | LIN2SYN/LIN3SYN |
| Third year units | |
| Computer science units | |
| Pure mathematics units | |
| Statistics units |
Honours
Students contemplating admission to the honours program, Logic 4, should consult the Logic Program Coordinator as soon as possible after the completion of second year, to plan a suitable third year reading course.
To be admitted to Logic 4, students are normally required to have taken at least a 130-credit point major in logic, with a minimum B average; to have taken units in their second and third years that enable them to fulfil the prerequisites of all the honours components to be taken; and have at least a B in LOG2FOL/LOG3FOL Frontiers of Logic or LOG2DLO/LOG3DLO Deductive Logic.
Logic 4 normally consists of a 12000 to 15000 word minor thesis (50%) plus three units. Approved units should be selected in consultation with the Logic Program Coordinator from the honours units offered by philosophy, mathematics, engineering, linguistics, and statistical sciences.
A full description of these units (including the unit name, unit code, credit points, campus/location, unit coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites, and readings) appears at the end of each discipline entry. A full description of LOG units appears below. For the most recent descriptions of all units, please access the unit database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.