Course Title: Computing Theory

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Computing Theory

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC1105	City Campus	Postgraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010
COSC1106	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006
COSC1107	City Campus	Undergraduate	140H Comp Sci & Info Technology	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010

Course Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. James Harland

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2045

Course Coordinator Email:james.harland@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students are expected to have a basic level of programming skill together with a basic level of discrete mathamatics. Completion of the two courses below would satisfy these requirements. 
Mathematics for Computing or equivalent AND Programming 2 or equivalent.

Course Description

Computing theory introduces students to foundational issues in computer science. The emphasis is on understanding and applying techniques, rather than formal mathematical proofs. You will learn and apply fundamental theories of computing to computing problems. Topics include the study of measuring time requirements for a computation, probabilistic approaches to difficult problems, the principles of cryptography, the use of grammars to specify syntax rules, formal models of computation, and computability properties.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following capabilities:
Critical analysis: Students will analyse and compare the characteristics of different types of computational problems and of different models of computation.
Problem solving: Students will design and implement solutions to a wide range of problems, including constructing grammars or automatons for given formal languages and specifying formal languages for given grammars or automatons.
Teamwork: Tutorials are divided into peer learning groups as described in the overview of learning activities. Each person will be assessed for their contribution to the learning of their peer learning group.
Communication: Students are expected to write up solutions to the tutorial problems after each tutorial, and briefly discuss their solutions at the beginning of the following tutorial. You will also be expected to write a technical report justifying a course of action from analysing a scenario.

Students will learn to:

• analyse and compare the characteristics of different types of computational problems and of different models of computation.
• design and implement solutions to a wide range of problems, including constructing grammars or automatons for given formal languages and specifying formal languages for given grammars or automatons.
• to write a technical report justifying a course of action from analysing a scenario. 

Overview of Learning Activities

Syllabus material will be presented, explained and illustrated with demonstrations and examples in lectures, classes, or online. Completion of tutorial questions and laboratory programming exercises and projects, are designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on your progress and understanding. Each tutorial group will be divided into peer learning groups of approximately 6 members. Written assignments will be individually assessed, however peer learning groups will also have the task of facilitating the learning of all members of the group. A component of the assessment is given to this task. Private study will consolidate your understanding of the theory and practice.

Attendance:
While a minimum attendance standard is not compulsory, non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in this course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub (also known as online@RMIT) and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

Use the RMIT Bookshop’s textbook list search page to find any recommended textbook(s).

Overview of Assessment

See Assessment Tasks (part B course guide for this Teaching Period) for assessment details, including deadlines, weightings, and hurdle requirements. For standard assessment information relating to Computer Science and IT courses see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi