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CSCE 355 Foundations of Computation

General Information

Description: Basic theoretical principles of computing as modeled by formal languages, grammars, automata, and Turing machines; fundamental limits of computation.
Prerequisites: CSCE 211, 212, 350

Instructor

Manton M . Matthews

mm at sc dot edu

Main text

"Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation" 3rd edition by Hopcroft, Motwani, and Ullman 2007.

Time and Location

MW 4:00-5:15 SWGN 2A27

Course Outcomes The goal for this course is for you to understand various models of omputation and the fundamental limits of computation. In particular you should be able to demonstrate mastery of:

Mathematical prerequisites: functions, relations, properties of relations, posets.
Proof Techniques:
Finite automata: regular languages, regular expressions, DFAs, NFAs, equivalences.
Limitations: pumping lemma
Context free languages: grammars, push-down automata
Turing machines: undecidability, the halting problem
Intractability: NP, NP-Completeness

Important Dates

Date	Significance
Sept 29	Test 1
Thursday, Oct 2	Last day to withdraw without WF
Oct 9-10, Thur-Sun	Fall break-no classes
Nov 10	Test 2
Dec 13@2:00PM	Final Exam

Policies

Homework:
The homework is due before the start of class. No late homework or projects will be accepted. If you cannot make it to class due to other commitments, you can hand in your homework the day before it is due.

Grading policy:
The final grade will be based on two midterms, assignments and the final exam, according to the following weights:

Homework and Assignments: 20%
Two Tests: 25% each
Final: 30%

Academic Integrity

The homework and programs you submit for this class must be entirely your own. If this policy is not absolutely clear, then please contact me. Any other collaboration of any type on any assignment is not permitted. It is also your responsibility to protect your work from unauthorized access. You are reminded that you are expected to know and follow the academic code of responsibility that appears in at Carolina Community: Student Handbook & Policy Guide, (Link to actual section) In particular all work submitted for this course must be your own. Violations of this code can result in actions varying from a failing grade to expulsion from the university.

Solutions to midterms will be distributed when the exams are returned, usually within one week of the exam.

Questions about grading of midterms and assignments must be presented to the instructor within one week after the tests or assignments have been returned.

URL:

http://www.cse.sc.edu/~matthews/Courses/355/index.html

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