UMBC CMSC451, Automata Theory and Formal Languages, Summer 2005, Session I

Course Description

Textbook

Introduction to the Theory of Computation (first edition), Michael Sipser, PWS Publishing Company, 1996. 

You can make use of second edition also as your text book.

Reference

Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation (2nd Edition) by John E. Hopcroft, Rajeev Motwani, Jeffrey D. Ullman.

Objectives

There are two objectives for this course: 1) to introduce the student to the concepts in automata theory and formal languages; and 2) to continue the development of the student's skills in reading, writing and understanding mathematical proofs.

Grading

Your final grade will be based upon homework assignments (40% total) and three exams (20% each). It is very important that you do the weekly homework assignments to understand the subject thoroughly. Your grade is given for work done during the semester; incomplete grades will only be given for medical illness or other such dire circumstances.

Your final letter grade is based on the standard formula:

0 <= F < 60, 60 <= D < 70, 70 <= C < 80, 80 <= B < 90, 90 <= A <= 100

Depending upon the distribution of grades in the class, there may be a curve in your favor, but under no circumstances will grades be curved downward.

Lecture and Homework Policy.

You are expected to attend all lectures. You are responsible for all material covered in the lecture as well as those in the assigned reading. However, this subject cannot be learned simply by listening to the lectures and reading the book. In order to master the material, you need to spend time outside the classroom, to think, to work out the homework and understand the solutions.

There will be a total of 5 homework assignments. Homework is due at the beginning of lecture --- this is so you do not work on your homework during lecture. Late homework will not be accepted --- this is to allow for timely grading and discussion of the homework solutions. Since you will be given partial credit for serious attempts, you should simply turn in whatever you have accomplished for the homework set when it is due.

Working Together

You are encouraged to work with other students and to consult other reference books. However, you must acknowledge your collaborators and reference materials by listing them on the last page of your homework. Also, you must write up your homework independently. This means you should only have the textbook and your own notes in front of you when you write up your homework --- not your friend's notes, your friend's homework or other reference material.

You should not have a copy of someone else's homework under any circumstance. For example, you should not let someone turn in your homework. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely. At the very least, students who submit copied homework assignments will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment --- this applies both to the person who copied the homework and to the person who allowed the his/her homework to be copied.

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