Harambe University cOLLEGE
Department of Computer Science
Course Title : Formal Language Theory
Course Code : CoSc 3111
Credit Hour : Credit hours = 3
Instructor : Shimelis T.
Email: shimetechane@gmail.com
Course Description:
This course aims to develop the theoretical foundations of computer science through study of mathematical
and abstract models of computers and the theory of formal languages. It also, introduces some fundamental
concepts in automata theory and formal languages including grammar, finite automaton, regular
expression, formal language, pushdown automaton, and Turing machine. Not only do they form basic
models of computation, they are also the foundation of many branches of computer science, e.g. compilers,
software engineering, concurrent systems, etc.
Course Goal (Learning outcome):
On completion of this course students should be able to: Introduce concepts in automata theory and theory
of computation Study the central concepts of automata theory Acquire insights into the relationship among
formal languages, formal grammars, and automata. Identify different formal language classes and their
relationships. Design grammars and recognizers for different formal languages Prove or disprove theorems
in automata theory using its properties Familiar with thinking analytically and naturally for problem
solving situations in related areas of theory in computer science.
Content of the course
Chapter Title Detailed Content
1
Introduction
Mathematical foundation and set
๏ Sets
๏Representation of sets
๏Finite set and infinite sets
๏Sequence and tuples
๏Relation and its types
๏Function
๏Boolean logic
๏Graph and tree
2
The Theory
of Automata
๏Definition of automata
๏Description of a Finite Automaton
๏DFA
๏NFA
