1 Course Description

This is an elementary study of theoretical aspects of computer science. Topics in formal languages and automata theory are covered including regular languages, regular expressions, finite automata, context-free languages, pushdown automata, grammars, Turing machines, and unsolvable problems.

This is a web-based class requiring independent responsibility and online communication skills on the part of the student. There are no regularly-scheduled class meetings.

1.1 Course Objectives

Students completing this course should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the primary mathematical models of computation (automata) that underpin Computer Science.

• Demonstrate knowledge of formal languages and their relationship to automata.

• Be able to construct, work with, and prove properties of the basic forms of automata and formal languages.

• Understand and be able to discuss the relationship of automata and formal languages to practical issues in programming languages and software development.

2 Basic Information

2.1 Instructor

Course material, assignments & grades:

2.2 Teaching Assistant

Students may also use the “Hallway” forum in Blackboard for general questions about course content & self-assessments, but should not post questions there about graded material (specific questions on quizzes & exams).

2.3 Website Issues:

2.3.1 Office Hours

Students may meet with Dr. Ranjan or the TA via internet-conferencing.

Dr. He’s office hours: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Monday Students may also request a different time by email.

TA’s office hours: 6:00 - 7:00 PM Monday

2.4 Time & Location

Time: MWF 1000 - 1050 AM. Location: DRGS 1117

2.6 Course Prerequisites

• a grade of C or better in CS 250 and in CS 381
• Math 163

Students are also expected to be familiar with the use of standard Internet-based tools including email and web browsers.

3 Course Policies

3.1 Meeting Times

The class meets thrice a week for 50 minutes on MWF 1000-1050AM. Students are expected to attend all class meetings.

3.2 Communications

Questions and discussion are encouraged during class times. Students are also encouraged to utilize instructor’s and TA’s weekly office hours. Students can also use the discussion forums on Blackboard for communication purposes.

3.3 CS Account

All students taking this course must have activated a login and e-mail account on the CS Dept.’s Unix network. (This is distinct from any Midas or other account you may have from the general University computer center – the ODU ITS).

3.4 Due Dates and Late Submissions

Late assignments and make-up exams will not normally be permitted.

Exceptions to this and other grading policies will be made only in situations of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the student’s control, and such arrangements must be made promptly, prior to the due date in any situations where the conflict is foreseeable.

“I’ve fallen behind and can’t catch up”, “I’m having a busier semester than I expected”, or “I registered for too many classes this semester” are not grounds for an extension.

3.5 Academic Honesty

Everything turned in for grading in this course must be your own work.

Exams and quizzes are, unless stated otherwise, open book, open-internet. You may not, however, consult with another human, either in person, or electronically, on exams and quiz material.

3.5.1 Using External Resources

In quizzes and exams, you may use “answers” that you find already posted on the internet (but may not solicit new ones) provided that you acknowledge your sources appropriately.

• If you use someone else’s thoughts, proofs, or arguments, you must cite your source appropriately, in a fashion that allows me to verify it.

• If you use someone else’s wording, you must enclose that wording in quotation marks and cite your source.

That said, you are responsible for making sure that the cited and/or quoted material is relevant to the question I asked, even when taken out of context from the original source.

• Nothing shows me that you do not understand the course material faster than copying an answer to a different question than the one I actually asked!

• Many of the lowest scores on prior semesters’ exams came from students copying and pasting answers that only matched the question I actually asked in a few key words or phrases.

• I have fairly low patience for this. If a clearly copied answer is not obviously relevant to the question I asked, I am not going to spend a lot of effort trying to study it and figure out ways in which it might be twisted into relevance.

  Therefore,

  • You are responsible for any alterations or bridging discussion necessary to make an copied argument or quotation match the question being asked.

  • If the quoted source uses different notation schemes than what we have introduced in this course, you must reformulate the notation into that of this course.

  • Be aware that different authors may have subtle differences in definitions of terminology, statement of theorems, etc. Again, if you quote external material, it is your responsibility to recognize and adjust for such differences.

3.6 Grading

Quizzes 50%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 30%

Most modules of the course will include a quiz.

The lowest quiz score or the midterm exam score will be dropped, whichever results in the greater improvement of your overall grade.

4 General University Policies

4.1 Accomodation for Disabilities

Students are encouraged to self-disclose disabilities that have been verified by the Office of Educational Accessibility by providing Accommodation Letters to their instructors early in the semester in order to start receiving accommodations. Accommodations will not be made until the Accommodation Letters are provided to instructors each semester.