Here are some topics to look for in catalogs and journals. Examples of using formal methods SPIN the Z language VDM and/or VDL The B method Petri Nets Semantics of UML Buchi automata analysis of requirements Specification methods UNITY SCR = Software Cost Reduction type systems and errors proof methods verifying properties safety and liveness properties model-checking modules and modularity traces and trace assertion CSP ACP lightweight methods TCAS And/Or tables statecharts Search for MATH and FORMAL in my online bibliography. http://www.csci.csusb.edu/cgi-bin/dick/lookup Can also look for names: Jackson, Parnas, Heitmeyer, Lamport, Broy, Rushby, Woodcock, Mili, Luqi, Gries, Parnas, Hinchey, Leveson, Harel, Bowen, ..., Botting:-)