Advanced functional programming

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course teaches advanced techniques and theory for programming in functional programming languages.

 

In functional programming, the type system and other abstractions in the language can be used to express advanced programming patters which produces concise programs with a clear meaning. Monads which expresses computations with side-effects or other context, are some of the most important such abstractions, and thus an important part of this course. Other central topics are partiality/totality, co-recursion, lazy evaluation, as well as algebraic and dependent types.

 

The theoretical part of the course is based on research in type theory, and gives a syntactic and semantic background for the programming-techniques presented in the course. The aim with the theory is to give a framework for understanding properties, constructions and patterns in functional programming languages.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

 

Knowledge

The student

  • is familiar with the most important methods of abstractions in functional programming
  • understands how these abstractions can be used in specific programming languages
  • understands the theory behind the abstractions

 

Skills

The student

  • can develop advanced programs in a functional programming language
  • cap express structures in algebraic and dependent types

 

General competence

The student

  • can communicate ideas related to functional programming to others
  • can present techniques and specific programs which they have written in a competent manner

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master (can be elevated and offered at PHD-level).

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Access to the course requires admission to a programme of study at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures and lab for up 6 hours per week
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Approved compulsory assignments and/or approved oral presentation of programming project.

Compulsory activities are valid for two semesters, the semester the activity is approved and the following semester.

 

Extra activities for PHD-students (elevated course): Give a presentation or write a report about an advanced, functional technique for programming.

Forms of Assessment
Programming project with report. Compulsory exercises may count towards the final grade.
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Examination both spring semester and autumn semester. In semesters without teaching the examination will be arranged at the beginning of the semester.
Reading List
The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the department
Examination Support Material
None
Course Administrator
The faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences by Department of informatics has the administratvie responsibility for the course and the study programme