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  6. MA1511: Set Theory

MA1511: SET THEORY (2026-2027)

Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:42


Course Overview

Set theory is the language of formal mathematics. It is how we present and understand many mathematical objects and our reasoning about them, and it is a fundamental ingredient in university-level maths. Examples of sets include the familiar number systems: integers (whole numbers), rational numbers (fractions), real and complex numbers. The course begins by explaining the basics of logic and sets, before moving on to functions and their properties, proof by induction, relations, and countability (the study of infinite sets).

 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Richard Hepworth-Young

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course will cover the following main topics:

  • Logic
  • Sets and operations on sets
  • Functions and their properties
  • Induction and strong induction
  • The construction of the natural numbers
  • Equivalence relations
  • Countability and uncountability

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8 January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Homework

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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6 x Short Take-Home Assignments (5% each)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyHave a working knowledge of basic logic.
ConceptualCreateBe able to give examples to illustrate the theorems from the course.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the algebra of sets (including the empty set, intersection, union of sets).
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the natural numbers.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand functions between sets, and relations.
ProceduralApplySolve problems, of varying levels of difficulty, on the material from the course.
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of proof techniques from the course.

Design Project: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyHave a working knowledge of basic logic.
ConceptualCreateBe able to give examples to illustrate the theorems from the course.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand Zorn's lemma.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the natural numbers.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand countability.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand functions between sets, and relations.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the algebra of sets (including the empty set, intersection, union of sets).
FactualRememberBe able to state the main definitions and theorems from the course.
ProceduralApplySolve problems, of varying levels of difficulty, on the material from the course.
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of proof techniques from the course.

Class Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 45
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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3 x Class Test (15% each)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyHave a working knowledge of basic logic.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the algebra of sets (including the empty set, intersection, union of sets).
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand functions between sets, and relations.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the natural numbers.
ProceduralApplySolve problems, of varying levels of difficulty, on the material from the course.
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of proof techniques from the course.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Reassessment

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

For each assessment, a corresponding reassessment will be offered. These have the following form:
• Homeworks: Reassessment consists of a new homework of the same form, assessing the same part of the course.
• Class Tests: Reassessment consists of a homework assessing the same part of the course.
• Group project: Reassessment consists of a solo project of a similar nature.
Each student is entitled to submit the reassessment(s) corresponding to any assessment(s) in which they received a score of E1 or less. Students may not submit reassessments corresponding to assessments in which they received a score of D3 or higher. Students are not obliged to submit all of the reassessments that they are entitled to. Scores for assessments where the student did not submit a reassessment, or was not entitled so submit a reassessment, are carried forward.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand Zorn's lemma.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand countability.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the algebra of sets (including the empty set, intersection, union of sets).
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of proof techniques from the course.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand functions between sets, and relations.
ProceduralApplySolve problems, of varying levels of difficulty, on the material from the course.
FactualRememberBe able to state the main definitions and theorems from the course.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the natural numbers.
ConceptualCreateBe able to give examples to illustrate the theorems from the course.
ConceptualApplyHave a working knowledge of basic logic.
 

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