CSC 4170-002: Theory of Computation

Fall 2017

Meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-5:15 PM, Mendel 260

Homework assignments

Lecture Notes

Course Home Page: http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~japaridz/4170/index2.html

Instructor: Dr. G. Japaridze

• Office: M 165A
• Email: giorgi.japaridze@villanova.edu
• Office hours: Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 PM and Thursdays 1:30-2:30

Teaching Assistant: Ms. Priyanka Kondapalli

• Office: Mendel 158
• Email: pkondapa@villanova.edu
• Office hours: Mondays 12:30-2:30 PM

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 the quizzes. They will be given every Tuesday at the beginning of the class. A quiz will typically have two questions: one from the latest homework assignment, and one from some earlier homework assignment. Occasionally, 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 following scale will be used for final grades after taking your average quiz score: (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 and Learning Support Services: It is the policy of Villanova to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. You must present verification and register with the Learning Support Office by contacting 610-519-5176 or at learning.support.services@villanova.edu or for physical access or temporary 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 Enchiridion. 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: http://library.villanova.edu/Help/AcademicIntegrity .