Lecture “Modal Logic”
Lecture “Modal Logic”
Course with SWS 2/2/0 (lecture/exercise/practical) in WS 2026
Modalities are expressions that quantify the truth of a statement, e.g. “possibly” and “necessarily”. Modal logics are simple, yet expressive formalisms that incorporate such modalities. The incorporated modalities offer a wide variety of possible readings such as temporal readings (“at some point in the future …”), epistemic readings (“the agent knows that …”) or readings talking about the dynamics of programs (“there is an execution of program P after which …”). Therefore, modal logics are applicable to various application domains and play an important role in computer science, philosophy, mathematics and linguistics, among others.
This course provides an introduction to the main concepts of modal logic with a focus on its role in computer science. It covers:
- syntax and semantics of modal logics,
- Kripke structures and Kripke frames,
- bisimulations,
- translations to first-order logic,
- frame definability,
- soundness and completeness results,
- complexity and decidability results,
- propositional dynamic logic.
Literature
The course follows the book “Modal logic (Fourth printing with corrections)” (P. Blackburn, M. de Rijke, Y. Venema; Modal logic (Fourth printing with corrections); Cambridge University Press; 2010). This book is available online via the SLUB.
Registration
Registration via Opal is required until November 2.
Prerequisites
For the course, basic knowledge on algorithms, complexity theory, automata theory and logic is presumed.
Dates
- Lecture: Tuesdays, 13:00–14:30, APB E005
- Exercise: Wednesdays, 13:00–14:30, APB E005
The first lecture will be held on October 13. Occasionally, there might be exercises during the Tuesdays or lectures on Wednesdays, which will be announced in advance.
Examination
Master Computer Science (PO 2025)
- INF-25-Ma-FTK-MoL: 25-minute oral exam
Diplom Informatik (PO 2025)
- INF-25-Ma-FTK-MoL: 25-minute oral exam
According to the module description, the exam is a non-public individual oral examination lasting 25 minutes. Potential exam dates will be announced towards the end of the semester. The individual exam appointments can then be arranged by e-mailing our secretary, Andrea Kühn.
Contact
In case of organizational questions, please contact Jakob Piribauer.
