CSC 4170: Theory of Computation

Fall 2023

Meeting in Mendel Hall onTuesdays and Thursdays:

·       Section 1 ---  2:30pm-3:45pm, Room G88   

·       Section 2 ---  4:00pm-5:15pm, Room G90

Homework questions

Lecture Notes  

Course Home Page: http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~japaridz/4170/

Instructor: Dr. G. Japaridze

 

Teaching assistant: Ms. Priyanka Gandhi

Textbook:
"Introduction to the Theory of Computation" (3rd edition) By Michael Sipser. Cengage Learning, 2013. ISBN 978-1-133-18779-0

Description and goals: This course is about what computers can and cannot do. It approaches this question in a strict mathematical fashion. The goal of the course is to expand your mind and give you conceptual tools for solving theoretical and practical problems.

Topics and Schedule (tentative):

  1. Regular Languages (4 weeks)
  2. Context-free Languages (3 weeks)
  3. The Church-Turing Thesis (3 weeks)
  4. Decidability (2 weeks)
  5. Basics of Complexity Theory (2 weeks)

Grading: Your grade will be based on weekly quizzes (25%) and one final exam (75%). If your quiz average is better than the examination score, the two weights will be switched in your favor: quizzes 75% and the final 25%. Both the quizzes and the exam are closed books/notes. In-class participation is very much encouraged, and may be taken into account when rounding up your cumulative score.

Quizzes will be given every Tuesday at the beginning of class.  A quiz will typically have two questions based on the latest set of homework questions. Often, however, questions may be asked that are not exactly on the list of homework problems yet are similar or closely related to the latter; if you have done homework with understanding (as opposed to memorization), answering such questions should not be a problem. The questions on the final examination will be similar, but otherwise the exam is comprehensive (all topics covered during the semester).

The following scale will be used when deriving your letter grades from your cumulative numeric scores: (A)95+; (A-)90+; (B+)85+; (B)80+; (B-)75+; (C+)70+; (C)65+; (C-)60+; (D+)55+; (D)50+; (D-)45+.

Office of Disabilities (ODS) and Learning Support Services (LSS): It is the policy of Villanova to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Go to the Learning Support Services website (http://learningsupportservices.villanova.edu) for registration guidelines and instructions. For physical access or temporarily disabling conditions, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 610-519-4095 or email Stephen.mcwilliams@villanova.edu.  Registration is needed in order to receive accommodations.

 

Academic Integrity: All students are expected to uphold Villanova’s Academic Integrity Policy and Code. Any incident of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for disciplinary action. For the College’s statement on Academic Integrity, you should consult the Student Guide to Policies and Procedures. You may view the University’s Academic Integrity Policy and Code, as well as other useful information related to writing papers, at the Academic Integrity Gateway web site: https://library.villanova.edu/research/subject-guides/academicintegrity

 

Absences for Religious Holidays: Villanova University makes every reasonable effort to allow members of the community to observe their religious holidays, consistent with the University’s obligations, responsibilities, and policies. Students who expect to miss a class or assignment due to the observance of a religious holiday should discuss the matter with their professors as soon as possible, normally at least two weeks in advance. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the absence. https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/provost/resources/student/policies/religious holidays.html

 

 

Links to related videos:

Alan Turing - BBC Horizon Documentary 48 min.

Proof That Computers Can't Do Everything (The Halting Problem) 8 min.

A beginner’s Guide to Quantum Computing 18 min.

Quantum Computing Explained with a Deck of Cards 16 min.