COS 240: Reasoning about Computation

Princeton University · Spring 2026
Lecture Times: M W, 2:55 pm - 4:15 pm

Summary

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An introduction to mathematical topics relevant to computer science. Combinatorics, probability and graph theory will be covered in the context of computer science applications. The course will present a computer science approach to thinking and modeling. Students will be introduced to fundamental concepts in theoretical computer science, such as NP-completeness and cryptography that arise from the world view of efficient computation.

Course Content

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We will cover basic topics in math that are important in computer science as well as basic topics in theoretical computer science. The following is a rough estimation of the number of lectures spent on each topic:

Faculty Teaching Staff

Prof. Ran Raz
Faculty Instructor
🌎 : Website
📧 : ran.raz.mail (at) gmail (dot) com
Dr. Iasonas Petras
Faculty Instructor
🌎 : Website
📧 : ipetras (at) cs (dot) princeton (dot) edu

Graduate TAs

Linrong Cai
Preceptor
🌎 : Website
📧 : lc1556 (at) princeton (dot) edu
Sebastian Simon
Preceptor
🌎 : Website
📧 : ss9162 (at) princeton (dot) edu
Clover Zheng
Graduate TA
🌎 : Website
📧 : sz6116 (at) princeton (dot) edu

Precepts

P01
Time: Th 12:15pm - 1:05pm
Instructor: Sebastian Simon
Location is found in the course's registrar page .
P02
Time: Th 12:15pm - 1:05pm
Instructor: Iasonas Petras
Location is found in the course's registrar page .
P03
Time: Th 1:20pm - 2:10pm
Instructor: Iasonas Petras
Location is found in the course's registrar page .
P04
Time: F 9:35am - 10:25am
Instructor: Linrong Cai
Location is found in the course's registrar page .

Undergraduate Lab TAs

TBA
TBA
TBA

Undergraduate Graders

TBA
TBA
TBA

Undergraduate Program Manager

Please direct questions concerning enrollment or your precept assignment to Colleen Kenny-McGinley, the CS Department's Undergraduate Program Manager. Colleen's contact information is provided later on this page. The course's Faculty and Graduate TAs do not manage enrollment or precept assignments.

Colleen Kenny-McGinley
Undergraduate Program Manager
🌎 : Website
📧 : ckenny (at) cs (dot) princeton (dot) edu