COMP 455 (old 181), COMPUTATION THEORY
			      Fall 2008
		       Course Information Sheet

	This course meets Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:45 in
Sitterson 011.

                Professor: David Plaisted
                Office: Sitterson 352
                Office Hours: TBA
                Office Phone: 919-962-1751
                email: plaisted@cs.unc.edu

                Teaching assistant: Hao Xu
                Office: Sitterson 353
                Office Hours: Tuesday Thursday 2-3 PM
                Office Phone: 919-843-7409
                email: xuh@cs.unc.edu

	Text: Lewis and Papadimitriou, Elements of the Theory of
Computation, chapters 1-7.

			  Exams and grading

	There will be two mid-semester exams, a final, and probably 12
homework assignments.  I may have a few easy programming homeworks,
but most of the homeworks will consist of exercises from the text.
The mid-semester exams will be on Monday, Sept. 29 and Monday, Nov.
3.  Exams are in class and are closed book and closed notes exams.
Be prepared for many pop quizzes, though they don't count much toward
your grade.  The grading algorithm will probably be 30 percent for the
final exam, 19 percent for each mid semester exam, 30 percent for
homework, and 2 percent for all pop quizzes put together.

	Homework is due at the beginning of class.  If the homework is
more than 5 minutes late, you will lose 10 percent.  If it is not handed
in by the end of class, you lose 20 percent.  If it is not handed in by
the end of the day, you lose 30 percent.  If it is not handed in the next
day, you lose 40 percent or more.

	Class participation and behavior in class can affect your
grade, especially if it is on the borderline.  Also, there are a few
guidelines for behavior.  If you have to leave class for a good
reason, you don't need to wait until my back is turned.  If you need
to yawn, do it quietly.  Try to enjoy class.

	In my classes most of the students typically get a C or
better, but I do not grade on a curve.  This course requires some
aptitude in theory.  If you are weak in theory (i.e, math), do not be
upset if you do not get an A or a B.  In the fall of 2002 people did
unusually well and there were 19 A's, 3 H's, 9 B's, and 6 C's.  In the
spring of 2002 there were 16 A's, 23 B's, 16 C's, and one D, not
counting plusses and minuses and not counting graduate students, most
of whom got H's.  The 16 C's included one C-.  Students who do not
come to class often, tend to get lower grades unless they have
exceptional ability in abstract thinking.

        The COMP 455 web page is at www.cs.unc.edu/~plaisted/comp181.

	You should be aware that the honor code, which prohibits the
giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on exams and homework, is in
effect.