CS 3613

Theoretical Foundations of Computing

Spring 2008

 

Instructor:  

     Debao Chen 

     Office:  North Hall 324

     Office Hours: M WR 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm, or by appointment

     Phone: (918) 594-8554

     Email: cdebao@okstate.edu   cdebao@osu-tulsa.okstate.edu

     Web: http://www.cs.okstate.edu/~cdebao

 

Teaching Assistant:

      Mr. Qiurui Zhu

     Email: qiurui@cs.okstate.edu

 

Required Text:

     Michael Sipser, Introduction to the Theory of Computation, Second edition

  

Reference books:

1.      John C. Martin, Introduction to Languages and the Theory of Computation

2.      Eitan Gurari, An Introduction to the Theory of Computation

3.      Harry R. Lewis and Christos H. Papadimitriou, Elements of the Theory of Computation

4.      Raymond Greenlaw and H. James Hoover, Fundamentals of the Theory of Computation: Principles and Practice

 

Course description:

     Introduction to the classical theory of computer science. Sequential machines and their

     applications to devices, processes, and programming. Models of computation: finite

     state automata, push-down automata, Turing machines. The role of non-determinism.

     Limit of digital computation. Computability and unsolvability. The Church-Turing

     machines

 

Material to be covered:

     1. Chapter 0, Introduction

     2. Chapter 1, Regular Languages

     3. Chapter 2, Context-Free Languages

4, Chapter 3, The Church-Turing Thesis

5, Chapter 4, Decidability

6, if time permits, we will cover more material on the complexity theory and NP-

    Completeness

 

Attendance policy: 

    Attendance is usually has a high correlation with how well you perform in a course.  

    Students should talk with the instructor about any absences. Attendance is not required,   

    but is strongly encouraged. Students are responsible for

    any material covered in class, including material that does not appear in the text. If    

    students miss the class too many times, at the instructor’s judgement, the instructor

    may give them an oral examination to evaluate their understanding of the missing

    classes.

 

Homework:

1.      Homework will be assigned on every class day, with possible a few exceptions.

2.      Homework will be collected on every Thursday class time, unless the instructor notifies otherwise.

3.      If for whatever reason, you cannot attend a Thursday class, with my permission, you may email your homework to the TA.

4.      Homework assignments will be posted on the web after each class.

5.      Late homework will not be accepted.

 

Grading:  

     Homework:                  30%

     Mid-term:                     30%

      Final:                           40%

 

Grade scale:      

     90 – 100%   A

     80 – 89%     B

     70 – 79%     C

     60 – 69%     D

     Below 60%  F

 

Collaboration policy:

1.      Homework:  Discussion of concepts, ideas, and techniques is allowed and

is encouraged. After discussion, each student must write up his/her own solution. 

          Copying another person's work is not allowed. Giving your work to another student

          is considered cheating as well.

2.      Examinations:  Any kind of communication among students is not allowed.

3.      Any case of academic dishonesty would result in a reduction of one letter grade.

All cases of academic dishonesty would be reported to the university administration.

 

Special accommodation for disabled students:

      If any student feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodation of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the University Services to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise the instructor of any such disability and the desired accommodations as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Syllabus attachment

           Syllabus attachment of OSU can be viewed on http://osu.okstate.edu/acadaffr/aa/syllabusattachment-Spr.htm.

Syllabus attachment of OSU-Tulsa is attached.

 

 

 

01/09/2008