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Course Details

Fall 2012-2013
* COS 487 / MAT 407  

Theory of Computation

Robert E. Tarjan

Studies the limits of computation by identifing tasks that are either inherently impossible to compute, or impossible to compute within the resources available. Introduces students to computability and decidability, Godel's incompleteness theorem, computational complexity, NP-completeness and other notions of intractability.This course also surveys the status of the P versus NP question. Additional topics may include: interactive proofs, hardness of computing approximate solutions, cryptography, and quantum computation. Two lectures, one precept. Prerequisite: COS 340/341 or instructor's permission.

Sample reading list:
Michael Sipser, Theory of Computation
Sanjeev Arora and Boaz Barak, Computational Complexity: A Modern Approach

Reading/Writing assignments:
Problem set every week.

Requirements/Grading:
Take Home Mid term Exam - 15%
Take Home Final Exam - 35%
Problem set(s) - 50%

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
COS 340/341 or equivalent mathematical maturity..

Website:  http://www.cs.princeton.edu/courses/archive/fall12/cos487

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
22616 L01 1:30 pm - 2:50 pm M W   Computer Science Building   105   Enrolled:18 Limit:60
22933 P01 7:30 pm - 8:20 pm M   Engineering Quad J-Wing   J201   Enrolled:18 Limit:30
24315 P02 7:30 pm - 8:20 pm T   Friend Center of Engineering   112   Enrolled:0 Limit:30