Special Topics in Molecular Computing
ELEC 7909/8909 Spring 2000
Instructor: Dr. Russell Deaton, Rm. 214, x3250, rjdeaton@memphis.edu, http://www.ee.memphis.edu.
Office Hours: See my homepage at http://engronline.ee.memphis.edu/rdeaton
Textbook: Papers and Online Resources
Goal: The course is designed to introduce graduate students to research topics in molecular computing.
Prerequisites: None
Topics: (25 Classes with a couple extra for odds and ends, Subject to Change)
- Class Introduction (1 class).
- Introduction to Molecular Computing (2 classes)
- Computation Theory and Molecular Implementations (2 classes)
- Resource Bounded Computation and Molecular Computing (1 class)
- Behavior of Biomolecules [Chemistry and Thermodynamics] (2 classes)
- Encoding Problem (2 classes)
- Evolutionary Molecular Computing (2 classes)
- DNA Crystal Computation (2 classes)
Research Questions: Issues that the class will consider and investigate.
- What physical and computational models are suited to describe molecular computations?
- What are the essential features of a molecular computation?
- What are the advantages of molecular computation over digital computers?
- How much of the essential features of molecular computing can be simulated on digital computers?
- How large of a molecular computation can be done in a distributed network simulation of molecules?
Grading: The course will be graded on a B curve.
| Project Proposal | 10 % |
| Paper/Project Report | 40 % |
| Presentation/Demo | 40 % |
| Daily | 10 % |
| Total | 100 % |
Policies and Details:
- I will grade the course on a B curve. If I think it is warranted, I may improve this.
- If I cannot read it, I do not grade it.
- Project: The class project is to implement a virtual molecular computation on a network of computers, and evaluate the results. A project report will be due to me. This will be a group project. Other project proposals will be accepted, which may be individual projects. The total project grade will consist of project proposal, implementation, and report.
- Review Paper: You will write a paper reviewing a topic in molecular computing. Format will be given in class.
- Presentation: You will give a 15 minute formal presentation on your project or on your paper.
- Daily: I will assign papers to read which we will discuss in class. Everyone will get a chance to review a paper for the class. Your participation will serve as basis for this grade. I may also assign problems that will contribute to this grade.
- Check the Web Site for the Class for Updates.
