CMPS 260
Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science
Spring 2024

Time and Place:  MWF 2:00pm−2:50pm in LSC 091
Instructor:  Dr. R. McCloskey
Office:  LSC 191
Telephone:  941-4221 (office), 941-7774 (CS Dept. office), 941-4250 (fax)
E-mail:  robert.mccloskey@scranton.edu
Office Hours:  See schedule
Course Web Page 
Textbook: Formal Language: A Practical Introduction, by Adam B. Webber, published by Franklin, Beedle & Associates

Miscellaneous:

Student Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, a student should be able to

Exams and quizzes:  Expect two mid-term exams, one in late February and another in early April. A comprehensive two-hour final exam will be administered sometime during Final Exam Week, which is May 13-16. (Makeup exams will be offered only if circumstances warrant it, such as in the case of an emergency or sudden illness.)

Expect short quizzes (taking about fifteen minutes) to be given from time to time.

Homework assignments: Expect weekly homework assignments, which typically can be completed using pen(cil) and paper. There could be a small number of programming assignments.

Grading: Weights of graded items (approximate):

ItemApproximate
Weight
Midterm exams28%
Quizzes6%
Final Exam26%
Homeworks36%
Class Participation4%

Mapping from numerical average to letter grade (approximate):

Numeric Range [94,100+][90,94) [87,90)[83,87) [80,83)[77,80) [73,77)[70,73) [65,70][60,65) [0,60)
Letter Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F