SYLLABUS

COMPUTER SCIENCE 481

Dr. Tom Higginbotham
Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology

Office:                     331 C Fayard Hall
Office Hours:           Consult my Web Page

Telephone:             549 - 2189
Email:                     Higginbotham@selu.edu
Web Page:             http://www.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/thigginbotham

Catalogue Description:

479. Automata and Formal Languages. Credit 3 hours. Prerequisites: Computer Science 257 or Mathematics 223 and senior standing. Introduction to computing device capabilities through study of abstract machines and corresponding formal languages. Topics include Turing machines, recursion, Chomsky grammars, context-free languages, regular languages, and finite automata.

Hardware Requirements:       IBM/IBM compatible PC running Windows
Internet Connection:             Required
Required Knowledge:           Know how to upload/download, zip/unzip files, paint, and use email

TEXT: Introduction to Computer Theory, Daniel A. I. Cohen, Second edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1997. ISBN 0-471-13772-3

GRADING: 10 point scale

The grading scale is 10%; that is, A (90 - 100), B (80 - 89), C (70 - 79), D (60 - 69)

The instructor reserves the right to make any changes deemed appropriate which includes special or extra credit assignments.

All broadcast information coming from me will be placed on the Blackboard System. Got to www.selu.edu > Blackboard (Bottom of the main web page) . Your account is your W number. Your password is the one you use for registration.

You are responsible for making sure that your University mail account works. You may wish to place a forward on your account to an outside account at another location, such as I-55.com .

If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Office of Student Life, Room 202, Student Union.

Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom / Online behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor=s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as crossing the civility line. In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular telephone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.

The office/classroom is not a place for children (exceptions as noted on page VII:4 Faculty Handbook), and neither employees or students are to bring their family members for day care or baby sitting. If children require care, then the employee/student is expected to provide that care in an environment other than Southeastern office/classroom space.