Seminar on Foundations of Probabilistic Programming

Deadline for registration: 25 September 2026

Organisers: 
Rasmus Ejlers Møgelberg and Raul Pardo Jimenez

Lecturer(s):
This is a seminar. We will take turns presenting the material.

https://github.com/raulpardo/2026-foundations-of-probabilistic-programming/blob/main/README.md 

You can find further information on the programme, readings, etc. on the course webpage.

Course description: 
In this seminar, we will read book chapters and articles related to the formal foundations of probabilistic programming. We start with the measure theoretic foundations and their relation to well-established concepts in the theory of programming languages. Next, we discuss operational and denotational semantics of probabilistic programming languages, both imperative and functional. Then, we cover exact and approximate probabilistic inference methods. The last part of the seminar covers hoare-style logics for probabilistic programming languages, and their applications to cryptography.

Intended learning outcomes

• Describe the mathematical foundations for denotational and operational semantics of probabilistic programming languages
• Compare different mathematical tools for modelling probabilistic programming languages
• Describe probabilistic inference methods used in probabilistic programming languages
• Apply probabilistic hoare logic to prove basic properties of probabilistic programs
• Describe some open problems in the topic

Assessment: 
Students must lead the discussion for one session, and participate in all sessions 

ECTS points:
2,5

Prerequisites:
Mathematical maturity, knowledge of basic theory of programming languages such as grammars, typing rules, operational semantics. Knowledge of basics of probability theory is an advantage, but we will also cover the relevant concepts in the seminar.

Sign-up:
You sign up by contacting the organisers by e-mail.