George Mason University
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
CS600 - Theory of Computation - Spring 2015
Monday -- 4:30-7:10, Arts 2003
Prerequisites | Description | Readings | Syllabus | Grading | Late | TA | Dates
This page last updated on 2/8/2015
703-993-1545
richards@gmu.edu
(Please prefix the subject of your email with CS600.)
Course office hours: Monday and Tuesday 3:00-4:00 or by appt.
Engineering Building - Room 5320
PREREQUISITES :
CS583 (and so CS310, CS330, and MATH 125); that is data structures, algorithms, undergraduate theory, and discrete math.
DESCRIPTION :
(From catalog) Introduction to logic and proof techniques, formal languages, automata theory, and computational complexity. Specific topics include regular and context-free languages, Turing machines, NP-completeness, and undecidability.
READINGS:
SYLLABUS:
The pace will vary and some chapters will be abridged.
Chapter 0 -- Sipser
Chapter 1 -- Sipser
Chapter 2 -- Sipser
Chapter 3 -- Sipser
Chapter 4 -- Sipser
Chapter 5 -- Sipser
Chapter 6 -- Sipser
Chapter 7 -- Sipser
Chapter 8 -- Sipser (?)
Tentatively, Exam #1 will be March 16 and Exam #2 will be May 11 (at 4:30).
GRADING :
Exams -- 100%
The two exams, including the final, each cover about a half of the semester; the final is not cumulative.
Of these exams the highest score will count 60%, and the lowest 40%.
Homework is ungraded.
All testing is closed book, but limited notes are permitted, as follows for exams (but not for quizzes). One sheet of notes (8.5 by 11 inches, 1 side only). NO COPYING is allowed. That means no photocopying of anything, even the textbook, though you may write out material from it verbatim. It also means no copying of anyone else's notes, even by hand. You may use a computer for editing your own notes. The sheet must be turned in with your exam. Violations of these rules for creating the notes is considered a violation of the Honor Code.
TA: NA
No laptops, etc. (If you need a laptop for note-taking then see me.)