600.371/471: Modern Complexity Theory
Spring Term 2005
Christian Scheideler
Course Structure
Lectures: MTW 1, Shaffer 300
Office Hours
- Christian Scheideler: Mon,Tue 5-6 pm, Wyman 403
- Noamaan Nadeem: Tue,Wed 11:45-1 pm, NEB UGrad Lab
- Michael Kornbluh: Thu 2-4 pm, NEB UGrad Lab
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 31-Feb 2: Computational Models
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 7-9: Set Theory and Complexity
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 14-16: Time and Space
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 21-23: Complexity of Logic
(in ps and pdf)
- Feb 28-Mar 2: Complexity of Arithmetic
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 4, 3 pm: Review session, Shaffer 300
- Mar 7: Midterm Exam
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 8-9: Introduction to Cryptography
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 14-16: Spring Vacation
- Mar 21-23: Interactive Proof Systems
(in ps and pdf)
- Mar 28-30: Probabilistically Checkable Proofs
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 4-6: Approximation and Complexity
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 11-13: Quantum Complexity Theory I
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 18-20: Quantum Complexity Theory II
(in ps and pdf)
- Apr 25-27: Evolutionary Systems I
(in ps and pdf)
- May 2-4: Evolutionary Systems II
(in ps and pdf)
- May 6, 3 pm: Review session, Shaffer 300
- May 13, 2-4 pm: Final Exam, Shaffer 300
Assignments
- Assignment 1
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 9 at 1 pm
- Assignment 2
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 16 at 1 pm
- Assignment 3
(in ps and pdf),
due Feb 23 at 1 pm
- Assignment 4
(in ps and pdf),
due Mar 2 at 1 pm
- Previous midterm exams (Spring 03 and
Spring 04)
- Assignment 5
(in ps and pdf),
due Mar 30 at 1 pm
- Assignment 6
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 6 at 1 pm
- Assignment 7
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 13 at 1 pm
- Assignment 8
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 20 at 1 pm
- Assignment 9
(in ps and pdf),
due Apr 27 at 1 pm
- Assignment 10
(in ps and pdf),
due May 4 at 1 pm
- Previous final exams (Spring 01,
Spring 03, and
Spring 04)
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 2005