CIS 570/770
(Introduction to) Formal Language Theory
Spring 2023


This syllabus is subject to (hopefully only minor) modifications

Summary

This course (3 credit hours) teaches important concepts from the theory of computation, with focus on languages, grammars and automata.

Content

Prerequisites
Students should preferably have taken MATH 510 (Discrete Mathematics), or an equivalent course.

Specifically, students are expected to understand basic concepts of sets, functions and relations, graphs and trees, propositional/predicate logic, and proofs, much as summarized in Chapter 1 of the textbook.

CIS770 is not available for credit to students who already have credit for CIS570.

Expected Outcome

Course Overview
For details, see the course schedule (separate document).

Textbook
An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata by Peter Linz and Susan H. Rodger, 7th edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2022 (https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284231601).

Other Course Material
The JFLAP system, available for free from https://www.jflap.org, may be helpful as it allows you to create and manipulate specific instances of many of the concepts introduced in this course.

Logistics

For each class,

Personnel

Weekly Schedule

EventLocationMondayTuesday WednesdayThursdayFriday
ClassesEngineering 11168:05-9:20am 8:05-9:20am
Torben
Office Hours
Engineering 2179 10-11am 4-5pm 1-2pm

Communication

The instructor makes efforts to keep up with email (please do not use Canvas messaging) even though he may not check his inbox all the time (to decrease disruption of productivity, he usually reads his email only twice or thrice a day). But you may expect an email answer no later than on the next business day, and often even earlier.

For questions (or comments) of general interest, we strongly encourage that you post in the Canvas discussion forum so that also other students will benefit from the answers. We even encourage you to answer questions from other students (of course you should not give more hints towards solutions than you would reasonably expect the instructor to give).

Deliverables and Grading

Exams
will be open book and open notes, with the third comprehensive but with some emphasis on what was covered in the last part of the course.

If you do not show up for an exam, then

Minor Projects
are due almost every week, on topics recently covered.

The lowest project score will be disregarded. (But if you can document valid excuses for not submitting two projects, they will both be disregarded.)

Quizzes
are posted after each class (when new material has been introduced) and are due one week later; for each quiz you may submit up to 5 times (the highest score counts).

If you do not attempt to submit a quiz, it will be disregarded, but only up to two times: the third non-submitted quiz, and each subsequent, will (at the end of the semester) be converted to a zero.

Class Participation

Weighting

Graduate work
To merit graduate credit, CIS770 students must

Letter Grades
are not based on strict percentage cutoffs but are "curved" by taking into account the difficulty of the exercises and exams.
As a rule of thumb, however, you should expect (cut-offs may be a bit higher for CIS770 students than for CIS570 students) that to earn an A will require somewhat more than 80 %.

In general, my approach to grading is expressed well by this piece by S.A. Miller.

Drop Policy
It is your responsibility to drop the course if you are enrolled but decide not to complete the course; there are no "automatic" drops due to nonattendance.

Grievances
If you think the instructor or the TA has made an error when grading your test or your homework, you are of course very welcome to ask for clarification. But complaints about judgment calls, like how much credit to give for a partially correct solution, are not encouraged (it is like arguing balls and strikes).

Various Statements

Academic Honesty

Kansas State University has an Honor and Integrity System based on personal integrity, which is presumed to be sufficient assurance that, in academic matters, one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor and Integrity System. The policies and procedures of the Honor and Integrity System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. A component vital to the Honor and Integrity System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other course work undertaken by students. The Honor Pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work." A grade of XF can result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in the course; the X indicates the reason is an Honor Pledge violation.

If you are in doubt about what is permissible, please ask the instructor.

Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities

At K-State it is important that every student has access to course content and the means to demonstrate course mastery. Students with disabilities may benefit from services including accommodations provided by the Student Access Center. Disabilities can include physical, learning, executive functions, and mental health. You may register at the Student Access Center (k-state.edu/accesscenter) or to learn more contact:
Manhattan/Olathe/Global Campus - Student Access Center
accesscenter@k-state.edu
785-532-6441
Students already registered with the Student Access Center please request your Letters of Accommodation early in the semester to provide adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations. Once SAC approves your Letter of Accommodation it will be e-mailed to you, and your instructor(s) for this course. Please follow up with your instructor to discuss how best to implement the approved accommodations.

Expectations for Classroom Conduct

All student activities in the University, including this course, are governed by the Student Judicial Conduct Code as outlined in the Student Governing Association By Laws, Article V, Section 3, number 2. Students who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave the class.

Mandatory Statement on Mutual Respect and Inclusion in K-State Teaching and Learning Spaces

At K-State, faculty and staff are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. K-State courses, labs, and other virtual and physical learning spaces promote equitable opportunity to learn, participate, contribute, and succeed, regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, genetic information, ancestry, disability, socioeconomic status, military or veteran status, immigration status, Indigenous identity, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, religion, culture, as well as other social identities.

Faculty and staff are committed to promoting equity and believe the success of an inclusive learning environment relies on the participation, support, and understanding of all students. Students are encouraged to share their views and lived experiences as they relate to the course or their course experience, while recognizing they are doing so in a learning environment in which all are expected to engage with respect to honor the rights, safety, and dignity of others in keeping with the K-State Principles of Community https://www.k-state.edu/about/values/community/.

If you feel uncomfortable because of comments or behavior encountered in this class, you may bring it to the attention of your instructor, advisors, and/or mentors. If you have questions about how to proceed with a confidential process to resolve concerns, please contact the Student Ombudsperson Office. Violations of the student code of conduct can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/sga/judicial/student-code-of-conduct.html. If you experience bias or discrimination, it can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/report/discrimination/.

Mandatory Statement Regarding Wearing of Face Masks

Kansas State University strongly encourages, but does not require, that everyone wear masks while indoors on university property, including while attending in-person classes. For additional information and the latest updates, see https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/guidance/health/face-covering.html.

Mandatory Statement Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment

Kansas State University is committed to maintaining academic, housing, and work environments that are free of discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Instructors support the University's commitment by creating a safe learning environment during this course, free of conduct that would interfere with your academic opportunities. Instructors also have a duty to report any behavior they become aware of that potentially violates the University's policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment (PPM 3010).

If a student is subjected to discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment, they are encouraged to make a non-confidential report to the University's Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) using the online reporting form. Incident disclosure is not required to receive resources at K-State. Reports that include domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, should be considered for reporting by the complainant to the Kansas State University Police Department or the Riley County Police Department. Reports made to law enforcement are separate from reports made to OIE. A complainant can choose to report to one or both entities. Confidential support and advocacy can be found with the K-State Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE). Confidential mental health services can be found with Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Academic support can be found with the Office of Student Life (OSL). OSL is a non-confidential resource. A comprehensive list of resources is available here. If you have questions about non-confidential and confidential resources, please contact OIE at equity@ksu.edu or (785) 532-6220.

Copyright notification

Copyright 2023 (Torben Amtoft) as to this syllabus and all lectures. During this course students are prohibited from selling notes to or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course. In addition, students in this class are not authorized to provide class notes or other class-related materials to any other person or entity, other than sharing them directly with another student taking the class for purposes of studying, without prior written permission from the professor teaching this course.