Hardware Verification -- CS 395t -- Announcement

Homepage: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/hunt/class/2018-spring/cs395t/cs395t.html

        Unique Number:  51160

           Instructor:  "Warren A. Hunt, Jr." <hunt@cs.utexas.edu>

   Teaching Assistant:  "Mertcan Temel" <"temelmertcan@gmail.com>

The seminar is organized to expose students to formalizing computer hardware designs and to techniques to formally prove the correctness of hardware designs. We will use the ACL2 logic to write hardware models and to capture hardware designs. We will use the ACL2 theorem-proving system to verify that design models meet their specifications. We begin by providing the necessary background knowledge. Thereafter, (just before spring break) students will choose a topic from open questions in the field, and then attempt to make a contribution. The remainder of the semester will focus on hardware-verification-related research. Students will have a fair amount of liberty in choosing their projects. For instance, one might decide to focus on automated analysis tools or more general tools. Ideally, student efforts will be matured into publications.

In the first six weeks, a series of increasingly difficult problems will be assigned. Some of these problems will be discussed by students. Class participation is expected, and student grades will, in part, reflect each student's contributions. Not showing up for class is a sure way to have a class-participation grade lowered. There will be one in-class exam. Each student will work on a project proposed by the student. Students will present their projects in class during the last week of the semester.

We will give six weeks of introductory lectures providing information all student will need. Then, we will give more specialized lectures concerning, and students will be expected to choose a research topic -- either their own topic or one from several offered topics. Students will be expect to give a talk about their chosen area, and then students will be directed to create a project in pursuit of their chosen topic. Relevant research papers will be assigned, and students may be asked to either present them to our class or to one of the instructors.

A final report will be required, which will document the student's project, knowledge, and results. Grading is discussed in the syllabus.

The remainder of this webpage page is a reminder of things that you should know.

In general, the information found in Code of Conduct is a good guide on how to conduct yourself in this class. Additional general information about College of Natural Sciences (CNS) class coursework and procedures can be found in Vice Provost Laude's memorandum to the CNS faculty.

This course attempts to comply with the requirements of the University and the State of Texas. Texas House Bill 2504 specifies a number of items regarding course materials and instructor qualifications: Hunt. In addition, the material contained in the class webpages are designed to be compliant with Gretchen Ritter's (Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Faculty Governance) August 3, 2012, memorandum. Ritter's memorandum also addresses issues concerning campus safety and security. Please familiarize yourself with this information, and let us know if you believe the class Website does not comply with any of these requirements.

Any scholastic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Students Office. The following passage is taken from the University of Texas at Austin Information Handbook for Faculty.

The Discipline Policies Committee believes that in most cases of scholastic dishonesty the student forfeits the right to credit in that course, and that a penalty of "F" for the course may be warranted. In addition to the academic penalties assigned by a faculty member, the Dean of Students or the hearing officer may assign one or more of the University discipline penalties listed in the "General Information" bulletin, Appendix C, Sections 11-501 and 11-502. Certain types of misconduct, such as a student substituting for someone else on an exam or having someone substitute for the student, submitting a purchased term paper, or altering academic records, have usually involved a penalty of suspension from the University.

As a reminder, the "UT Code of Conduct" is available where plagiarism, cheating, and other issues are described. If there are any questions, please see the Academic Policies and Procedures of UT Austin.

The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

We fully support the University's scholastic honesty policies, and we will follow the University's policies in the event of any scholastic dishonesty. If you are ever unsure whether some act would be considered in violation of the University's policies, do not hesitate to ask your instructors or other University academic representatives.

Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259, or follow this link.

A notice regarding accommodations for religious holidays. By UT Austin policy, you must notify your instructor(s) of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.

The following recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety and Security, 512-471-5767, or see the safety office website.

Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, please follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.

A link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures is available.

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