2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Computing Department of Mathematical and Computing Science Graduate major in Mathematical and Computing Science
Programming Language Theory
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Mathematical and Computing Science
- Instructor(s)
- Youyou Cong
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (W3-201(W321)) / 5-6 Thu (W3-201(W321))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MCS.M428
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Programming languages are a tool for humans to communicate with computers. Just like natural language, programming languages have underlying theories, with which one can reason rigorously about complex programs. This course aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge of programming language theory. Specifically, we discuss how to define the syntax, evaluation, and typing of several small programming languages.
Course description and aims
Students are expected to be able to explain the behavior of programs from a mathematical point of view.
Keywords
functional programming, lambda calculus, operational semantics, type systems, continuations, algebraic effects and handlers
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each lecture introduces a new concept, language construct, etc. while providing hands-on exercises.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Basics of functional programming |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 2 | A language with booleans and integers (1) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 3 | A language with booleans and integers (2) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 4 | A language with booleans and integers (3) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 5 | Review (1) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 6 | The lambda calculus (1) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 7 | The lambda calculus (2) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 8 | Review (2) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 9 | A language with exception constructs (1) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 10 | A language with exception constructs (2) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 11 | Programming with algebraic effects and handlers |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 12 | A language with algebraic effects and handlers (1) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 13 | A language with algebraic effects and handlers (2) |
Instructed in the class. |
| Class 14 | Wrap-up |
Instructed in the class. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
N/A
Reference books, course materials, etc.
N/A
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation is done based on class participation (10%), in-class exercises (30%), and take-home assignments (60%).
Related courses
- MCS.T204 ： Introduction to Computer Science
- MCS.T224 ： Programming I
Prerequisites
Experience in functional programming would be helpful, but is not required.