CIS 5110, Spring 2026 Introduction to The Theory of Computation

Course Information February 4, 2026

** Welcome to CIS5110, Spring 2026 **

Coordinates:

Instructor:

Office Hours:

TA/Graders:

Office Hours:

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Course Format

I will lecture in person in DRL A8. Lectures will be recorded and some office hours and recitations will be conducted on zoom and recorded as well.

In order to increase the level of interaction between the students and the instructor(s) I propose to use the following scenario.

• Every student is expected to read the material covered every week in advance. This material is in the slides and the notes online.
• I will record each session and make them available on the CANVAS account for the class.
• Students, whether or not they attended lectures, may listen to recorded classes and should read the corresponding material in the notes.
• A list of the material to be listened to and read will be available on this web page (see under CANVAS account).
• I will provide an extra recitation (once a week, for 1 hour 15mn). During this recitation I intend to
• Take and answer questions about the material presented during the lectures.
• Occasionally present important proofs.
• In general, attempt to motivate, demistify, and put in context the material of the lectures.
• Give an idea about applying the material to solve the homework problems.

There will be homework problems (some challenging) but no midtems and no final exam.

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CANVAS Account

There is a CANVAS account for the course: CIS 5110-001 202610
https://canvas.upenn.edu/courses/1912392
You should have access to it using your Pennkey.

This account contains the video recordings and reading material that
you should consult each week.

Look for Class Recordings and Files.

There is also an Ed Account: https://edstem.org/us/courses/92826/discussion
Slides and Notes

Textbook (not required):

Also recommended:

Latex Tutorial :

[   Grade (Homeworks, Exams)   |  Additional Resources   |  Syllabus   |  Slides and Notes   ]

A Word of Advice :

You MUST use a good text editor, such as LATEX, to write up your solutions ( NO hand written solutions will be accepted).

Please submit your homework solutions on gradescope, NOT on canvas.

Due to the difficulty of the homework problems and in order to give you an opportunity to learn how to collaborate more effectively (I do not mean "copy"), I will allow you to work in small groups. A group consists of AT MOST THREE students.

You are allowed to collaborate with the same person(s) an unrestricted number of times.
Only one homework submission per group. All members of a group will get the SAME grade on a homework or a project (please, list all names in a group).

It is forbidden to use solutions of problems posted on the internet. If you use resources other than the textbook (or the recommended textbooks) or the class notes, you must cite these references.

Plagiarism Policy

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Jean Gallier