Objectives and Topics: We will learn how circuits and software are founded on symbolic logic, and we will see how every computer program contains a ``logical skeleton'' that forecasts the program's computation. We can use the logical skeleton as a mathematical proof of the program's correctness. We will also study symbolic logic itself --- what it looks like, what it means, and how to manipulate it within formal proofs. As time allows, we will learn useful programming techniques (that you are unlikely to see elsewhere) based on grammars, dynamic data structures, and logic programming.
Here is a summary of the topics covered; these are listed in the order that they will be covered from the course lecture notes:
Final letter grades are not based on strict percentage cutoffs but are "curved" by taking into account the difficulty of the exercises and exams. Usually, but with no guarantee that it will apply also this year, it requires 80 % to earn an A, and 60 % to earn a B; 40 % to earn a C, and 20 % to earn a D. In general, my approach to grading is expressed well by this piece by S.A. Miller.
Homeworks are due almost every week and are to be submitted through K-State Online. Assignments that are late will not be graded, unless in case of documented medical or family emergencies.
Exams will be closed-book but you can bring up to two sheets (double-paged) of hand-written notes. The final will be comprehensive, but with emphasis on the last part of the course.
Grievances: If you think the instructor or the TA has made an oversight 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).
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. September 16 is the last day to drop for a 100 % refund; September 23 is the last day to drop for a 50 % refund; September 30 is the last day to drop a course without a "W" recorded on your transcript; November 1 is the last day to drop a course (with a "W"). [You should double-check these dates!]
Statement Regarding Academic Honesty
Kansas State University has an Honor 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 System. The
policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and
part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses
on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. The honor system
website can be reached via the following URL:
www.k-state.edu/honor. A
component vital to the Honor 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.
The homework exercises are meant to develop your skills. It is OK to discuss them with others and to ask for help with the tricky bits, but what you submit must be written/typed by you, and you must be able to reproduce it from memory, from scratch, whenever asked. That is, whatever you submit must be saved in your brain as well.
If you are in doubt about what is permissible, please ask me.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who need classroom accommodations, access
to technology, or information about emergency building/campus
evacuation processes should contact the Student Access Center and/or
their instructor. Services are available to students with a wide
range of disabilities including, but not limited to, physical
disabilities, medical conditions, learning disabilities, attention
deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety. If you are a student
enrolled in campus/online courses through the Manhattan or Olathe
campuses, contact the
Student Access Center
at accesscenter@k-state.edu, 785-532-6441; for Salina campus, contact
the Academic and Career Advising Center at acac@k-state.edu,
785-826-2649.
Statement Defining 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.
Statement for Copyright Notification
Copyright 2013[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.
Acknowledgment: The course material, including this syllabus, is adapted from the class taught by David Schmidt, and also inspired by the class taught by John Hatcliff and Andrew Cousino.
Torben Amtoft