This course covers the theoretical computer science areas of formal languages and automata, computability and complexity. Topics covered include the following: regular and context-free languages; finite automata and pushdown automata; Turing machines; computability - halting problem, solvable, and unsolvable problems; space and time complexity; classes P, NP and PSPACE; NP-Completeness.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of formal computation and its relationship to languages
2. Distinguish different computing languages and classify their respective types
3. Recognise and comprehend formal reasoning about languages
4. Demonstrate a competent understanding of the basic concepts of complexity theory

Research-Led Teaching

The material covers standard complexity classes and related topics, which are important in current research for making theoretical investigations. Complexity and expressivity studies are exemplified in current AI planning research.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

n/a

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

n/a

Recommended Resources

Reading recommendations will be made available on the Wattle teaching site. There are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning

Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Workloads

130 hours of student learning time across the semester includes:

• 4 hours scheduled time each week (2 lectures and one 2-hour lab) for 12 weeks and/or drop-ins (not currently mentioned)
• Students are expected to spend an average of 5-6 hours per week outside of scheduled labs practicing programming which includes:
• work on assignments, practice exercises, online activities, group meetings and activities for group projects, and reading.

The Use of Generative AI Tools

The use of Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT) is permitted in this course, given that proper citation and prompts are provided, along with a description of how the tool contributed to the assignment. Guidelines regarding appropriate citation and use can be found on the ANU library website (https://libguides.anu.edu.au/generative-ai). Marks will reflect the contribution of the student rather than the contribution of the tools. Further guidance on appropriate use should be directed to the convener for this course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Finite Automata, Regular Expressions, Languages
2	Regular Languages, Context-free Grammars and Languages	asg. 1 released
3	Pushdown Automata
4	Properties and Normal Forms of Context-free Languages	asg. 2 released
5	Turing Machines
6	Decidability and Undecidability	asg. 3 released
7	Complexity Classes, Reductions, Completeness
8	NP and co-NP	asg. 4 released
9	EXPTIME and PSPACE
10	Alternation and Recap	asg. 5 released
11	Examples from Classical Planning
12	Examples from Hierarchical Planning

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities/tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1	10 %	07/03/2025	19/03/2025	1,2
Assignment 2	10 %	19/03/2025	02/04/2025	1,2
Assignment 3	10 %	04/04/2025	11/04/2025	2,3,4
Assignment 4	10 %	02/05/2025	14/05/2025	3,4
Assignment 5	10 %	16/05/2025	26/05/2025	3,4
Final Exam	50 %	*	*	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

n/a

Assessment Task 1

Assignment 1

Individual assessment, with tutorials preparing for the assessment tasks. Individual assessment, value 10%. It may contain questions that have to be submitted via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 2

Assignment 2

Individual assessment, with tutorials preparing for the assessment tasks. Individual assessment, value 10%. It may contain questions that have to be submitted via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 3

Individual assessment, with tutorials preparing for the assessment tasks. Individual assessment, value 10%. It may contain questions that have to be submitted via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 4

Assignment 4

Individual assessment, with tutorials preparing for the assessment tasks. Individual assessment, value 10%. It may contain questions that have to be submitted via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 5

Assignment 5

Individual assessment, with tutorials preparing for the assessment tasks. Individual assessment, value 10%. It may contain questions that have to be submitted via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 6

Final Exam

Final exam, in-person, value 50%.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Submissions after the due date are not allowed and will be awarded a mark of 0.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may re-submit assignments as often as they chose until the deadline. Late submissions are not accepted. In case of extenuating circumstances, students should contact the convenor ahead of the deadline.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students