• Mathematical maturity as obtained from a bachelor in engineering, computer science or a similar background. In particular, the student should be familiar with sets, relations, and propositional logic.

The courses Distributed Systems and Concurrency provide examples of use of the theory covered in this course which might help, but they are not required to follow the course. 

• recognize several models, model- and specification languages in which the structure and behaviour of concurrent, distributed and mobile systems can be described
  
• be able to point out different forms and characteristics of distribution and mobility, and explain how these can be formally described and analyzed,
  
• be able to apply models in the design phase of distributed and mobile systems
  
• know how to express that systems have the same observable behavior in all contexts
  
• be able to apply the techniques to specify and analyze fundamental properties of basic concurrent, distributed and mobile systems
  
• be able to compare and evaluate new models (e.g. calculi for concurrency and mobility) and model-languages for distributed and mobile systems proposed in e.g. research papers, in terms of expressiveness.
  

• models and (model/specification) languages for concurrent, distributed and mobile systems, including e.g.
  
  
  
  • UML State diagrams, UML Collaboration diagrams and Sequence Diagrams,
    
  • Automata,
    
  • Labelled transition systems,
    
  • CCS,
    
  • temporal logic,
    
  • the pi-calculus
  
  
  
  
• formal semantics: transition systems and bisimulation


• characteristics of distribution and mobility

The course will interact with research projects on Location Dependent Communication and Location Based Services at IT-C when appropriate.
There will be weekly hand-in exercises, of which approval of 60% is required to be admitted to the exam. 

By the end of the 12-week course period, a list of exam topics with exercises will be given. At the exam you will get one of the topics and then have 20 minutes to prepare yourself for the succeeding oral examination (25-30 minutes), at which you are expected to present your solution at the blackboard and answer to related questions.  

• Book: Communicating and mobile systems: the pi-calculus, Robin Milner, ISBN 0 521 65869 1 (paperback)


• Notes/Papers on UML


• Notes/Papers on Temporal Logics
• Research Papers on Models and Languages for Distributed and Mobile Systems