600.371/471: Modern Complexity Theory
Spring Term 2004
Christian Scheideler
Course Structure
Lectures: MTW 1, Shaffer 300
Office Hours
- Christian Scheideler: Mon 5-7 pm, Wyman 403
- David Friedman: Tue 12-1 and 2-3 pm, Wyman 414
Topics
Topics covered will be polynomial complexity classes and beyond,
complexity of logic and arithmetics, cryptography and complexity,
interactive proof systems and probabilistically checkable proofs,
non-approximability, and new directions including Quantum computing and
complexity of evolutionary systems. [Analysis]
Grading
- 1/3: assignments
- 1/3: mid-term exam
- 1/3: final exam
Syllabus
- Jan 26-28: Computational Models
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 2-4: Set Theory and Complexity
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 9-11: Time and Space
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 16-18: Complexity of Logic
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 23-25: Complexity of Arithmetic
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 1-2: Introduction to Cryptography
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 3: Midterm Exam
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 8-10: Interactive Proof Systems
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 15-17: Spring Vacation
- Mar 22-24: Probabilistically Checkable Proofs
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 29-31: Approximation and Complexity
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 5-7: Quantum Complexity Theory I
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 12-14: Quantum Complexity Theory II
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 19-21: Evolutionary Systems I
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 26-28: Evolutionary Systems II
(in ps and pdf)
- May 5, 2 pm, Shaffer 300: Review Session
- May 7, 2-5 pm: Final Exam
Previous final exams: 2001
(in ps and pdf)
and 2003
(in ps and pdf)
Assignments
- Assignment 1
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 4 at 1 pm
- Assignment 2
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 11 at 1 pm
- Assignment 3
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 18 at 1 pm
- Assignment 4
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 25 at 1 pm
- Assignment 5
(in ps and pdf),
due Mar 24 at 1 pm
- Assignment 6
(in ps and pdf),
due Mar 31 at 1 pm
- Assignment 7
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 7 at 1 pm
- Assignment 8
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 14 at 1 pm
- Assignment 9
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 21 at 1 pm
- Assignment 10
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 28 at 1 pm
Assignments will be posted here every Wednesday, and their solutions have to
be submitted till the following Wednesday, 1 pm.
At most two people are allowed to work together on an assignment, but
there has to be a separate submission for each person.
Please indicate on your submission with whom you collaborated
to solve the assignment (if any). Also, please write your name and the
course (371 or 471) for which you registered clearly on your submission.
If you have questions about what is allowed and what not, please read the
ethics code of the
department or the guide to
Academic Ethics for
Undergraduates.
Christian Scheideler
Last modified: Tue Jan 20 2004