1. Course Goals

2. Text

• Introduction to the Theory of Computation by Michael Sipser, second edition.

Please note that there are known errors in this edition of the text. Please see the textbooks Errata for corrections.

3. Prerequisites

CS 212 Discrete Structures

4. Course Web Page

http://www.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/~adamsja/Courses/CS252-08/index.html

5. Instructor Information

Dr. Julie A. Adams
Jacobs Hall, Room 359 
julie.a.adams@vanderbilt.edu
http://www.vuse.vanderbilt.ed/~adamsja
Course Materials: www.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/~adamsja/Courses/HCI07/index.html
Office Hours (subject to change): Monday 4:00  - 5:00, Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 and by appointment.  

6. Grading Policy

Homework Assignments:

There are 11 homework assignments, essentially one each week except for the midterm exam weeks.  Your assignments will be primarily done using pencil and paper.  Each homework assignment will be collected and graded.  The homework assignment will be available, along with the  due dates on the schedule webpage.  You will have a week to complete each assignment.  

Unless it is specifically stated otherwise, you are to complete each assignment yourself with no assistance from other students, the Internet, or individuals other than the professor for this course.  You are NOT allowed to discuss the homework with anyone except myself. 

Your homework assignments are due at the start of class (11:10 AM).  I will not accept late assignments (not even 5 minutes late). If you are unable to attend class on the day an assignment is due, you need to ensure that your assignment reaches me by 10:45 AM that day.  I will drop the lowest homework grade.  If you are given a zero for cheating, it will not be dropped from your final grade.

All assignments must include a signed honor code statement. If the submission is electronic, then the typed statement in your original submission will count as a signed statement. The honor pledge to be included is as follows:

    I pledge my honor that I have neither given nor received aid on this work.

NOTE: I will not answer questions about the homework after 5:00 PM the day before it is due. 

Midterm Exams:

There will be two midterm exams on Thursday February 7th and March 13th.  The exams will require the entire class time.  The exam is closed book and notes but you may have one sheet of letter-sized paper with your own hand-written notes.  There will be no make-up exams.

Final Exam:

A cumulative final exam is scheduled for Monday April 28th at 2:00 PM.  This exam is closed book and notes but you may have one sheet of letter-sized paper with your own hand-written notes.  There will be no make-up exams.

7. Final Grades:

Your final grade is based strictly upon your actual numerical grade total calculated from your assignment grades with the percentages above. The table below provides the translation from a numerical grade to a letter grade. 

8. Office Hour Considerations

You are always welcome at my office hours. If you are unable to make my office hours, please contact me and we will make arrangements to meet. 

The following is my office hour rule: If there are 3 or more people waiting to see me, then the student in my office is limited to 15 minutes of help. After 15 minutes, the person in my office will be required to go to the end of the line and wait for another turn. 

9. General Notes

Generally speaking I attempt to answer all student inquiries as soon as possible. That said, you should keep in mind the following facts.

1. You should not expect that I will answer email or phone calls after I leave campus, 6PM M - F. You will receive a reply at my first opportunity the next day. 

2. As well, I am not guaranteed to answer email or phone calls over the weekend. If you leave a message from me over the weekend, you may not receive a reply until Monday.

3. If I will be away for an extended period, I will let you know my email availability prior to my departure.

10. Academic Honesty

It is a shame that this must be stated at all, but there are always a few students who do not abide by the rules of proper academic conduct. For the record:

• You cannot help someone else complete their assignments. 
• You cannot take information from any other student, or the Internet. 
• If you use information from a book, article or the Internet, you must provide a reference to that source. Failure to acknowledge the source of a significant idea or approach is considered plagiarism and is not allowed. 

Those who behave in a dishonest or unethical manner are subject to disciplinary action. Chapter 2 of Vanderbilt's Student handbook clearly specifies the University's Honor System.  If you have any questions about what constitutes cheating beyond the specifics above please review the student handbook. You may also reference the Honor Council web page.

11. Tentative Schedule

Some of the course topics are not addressed directly by the text book. You can expect class handouts on materials not covered in the texts. 

We cannot stress strongly enough that you are expected to have read assigned portions of the text before class, as some of the material will not be covered in class unless questions arise. You are responsible for everything in the assigned readings whether covered in class or not, as well as lecture material whether covered in the readings or not. Pertinent questions are always welcome.

12. Policy on W and I Grades

This course has been designed so that you can complete all the work in one semester. Thus incomplete grades will be given only in the most exceptional circumstances, and then only by prior arrangement. The professor has the final say in this matter.

13. Disclaimer