Csci 408/538
Introduction To Formal Language Theory
Course description: An introduction to formal languages, their grammars, and the machines that generate them. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Directed reading and/or research project required.
No duplicate credit for Csci 538 and Csci 408.
Prerequisites: Csci 308, or permission of department head.
Text: Introduction to the Theory of Computation, by Michael Sipser, PWS Publishing Company, 1997.
Course material
Course material will include the following topics:
| Topic | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Mathematical Preliminaries | ~ 1 week |
| Finite Automata, Regular Languages, and Their Properties | ~ 4 weeks |
| Context-Free Languages and Their Properties | ~ 4 weeks |
| Turing Machines | ~ 2 weeks |
| Limits of Algorithmic Computation | ~ 3 weeks |
Assessment
The Semester score for the course will be calculated by using the weights (%) indicated below:
| Weight (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% | Semester average | Tests | ______ % |
| Assignments | ______ % | ||
| _________ | ______ % | ||
| 25% | Final exam grade |
The Semester letter grade in the course will be assigned according to the scale below:
| Semester grade | Semester score |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | A |
| 80–89 | B |
| 70–79 | C |
| 60–69 | D |
| 0–59 | F |
Notes:
- Students enrolled in Csci 538 will be expected to do additional assignments as approved by the instructor.
- In cases of an excused absence, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the final exam in lieu of a make-up test.
- In the case where a student's score on his final exam indicates exceptional achievement above and beyond that indicated by the semester average, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the value of the final exam in computing the semester grade.
Please read the Department's Attendance Policy.
Instructor's office hours
can be found on the MSU web site at
http://www.faculty.mcneese.edu
Click on individual instructor to view their web page.
Or navigate from MSU Home Page; select Faculty & Staff, select Faculty Web Server.
Students should visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/policy/diversity.htm
for information about diversity awareness and sexual harassment policies and
procedures, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Students should also visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/integrity
for information on the Academic Integrity Policy.
ANY STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN DREW HALL, ROOM 200, VOICE (337) 475-5916, HEARING IMPAIRED (337) 475-5722. IT IS EACH STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHEN REQUESTING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.
One week of summer school is equivalent to 2 ½ weeks of Fall or Spring classes
DMCS
Location:
Kirkman Hall, Beauregard Drive
Mail:
Box 92340, MSU, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Phone:
(337) 475–5788,
Fax:
(337) 475–5799
e-Mail:
sbradley@mcneese.edu
