Introduction to Algorithms

COMPSCI 311

Marius Minea

When/Where

• Lectures: TuTh 11:30 - 12:45, Hasbrouck Lab Addition 124
• Discussion: Fr 10:10 - 11:00, LGRC A301 (low-rise); Fr 11:15-12:05 Ag. Engineering 119

TAs

• Jesse Lingeman (lingeman at cs), office hours: Thu 10-11, CS207 cube 4
• Rik Sengupta (rsengupta at cs), office hours: Tue 5:30-6:30pm, LGRT 220
• Amir Ghafari (ghafari at cs), office hours: Wed 1-2pm, CS207 cube 4

Graders/UCA: Itamar Levy-Or, Sam Silverman, Huan Wang, Shuyang Wang, Bin Yu

Description This course will introduce you to algorithms in a variety of areas of interest, such as sorting, searching, string-processing, and graph algorithms. You will learn to study the performance of various algorithms within a formal, mathematical framework. You will also learn how to design very efficient algorithms for many kinds of problems. There will be one or more programming assignments as well to help you relate the empirical performance of an algorithm to theoretical predictions. Mathematical experience (as provided by COMPSCI 250) is required. You should also be able to program in Java, C, or some other closely related language. Prerequisites: COMPSCI 187 and either COMPSCI 250 or MATH 455.

• Required: Algorithm Design by Jon Kleinberg and Éva Tardos.
• Optional: Companion slides for Kleinberg and Tardos
• Optional: Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein
• Optional: Algorithms by Dasgupta, Papadimitriou, and Vazirani

• Participation (10%): Discussion section activities (7.5%) and in-class quizzes (iClicker) (2.5%). The lowest two discussion sections and three clicker scores will be dropped.
• Homework (20%) + Weekly Moodle quiz (5%)
• Midterm 1 (20%), Wed Oct 3, 7-9pm, Thompson 104. Focus on first third of the class.
• Midterm 2 (20%): Wed Nov 14, 7-9pm, Thompson 104. Focus on second third of the class.
• Final (25%): Wed Dec 19, 1-3pm, Hasbrouck Lab Addition room 20. Covers all lectures.

• Piazza
• Moodle
• Gradescope

• Fall 2016 (Andrew McGregor / Akshay Krishnamurthy)
• Spring 2017 (Dan Sheldon)
• Spring 2018 (Akshay Krishnamurthy)

• Homework: Collaboration is encouraged on homework assignments. However, you should first understand and attempt the problem individually. Each student must write their own solutions. Looking at solutions from other students or any other source (including the web) is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy. Formal charges will be pursued if cheating is suspected.
• Quizzes: No collaboration is allowed, but you may use the book and lecture notes. Formal chages will be pursued if cheating is suspected.
• Discussion: Exercises during discussion sections will be completed in assigned groups.
• Exams: Closed book and no electronics. Cheating will result in an F in the course.

Quizzes will be issued before the weekend and must be submitted before 8pm on Monday. No credit will be given for late quizzes, but the lowest scoring quiz will be dropped.

Homework will be submitted via GradeScope. You may type up your answers in Latex and compile to pdf (preferred) or hand-write your homework and scan to pdf. If scanned, the pdf must be rotated correctly, scanned at high quality, and readable at a standard letter size. If the homework is not submitted in the correct format, it will not receive credit. Unreadable work, scratching out, etc. will not be graded. You should view the pdf once you submit to ensure it meets these minimum standards. Review the gradescope submission workflow (here and here) to make sure you upload and annotate your homework correctly.

A 50% penalty will be applied for homework that is late by up to 24 hours. Homework that is late by more than 24 hours receives no credit. However, each student is allowed to submit one homework up to 24 hours late without penalty.

The discussion section will be used every week except when noted on the course schedule and will consist of exercises to practice solving problems in small groups. Attendance is required. Exercises will be submitted at the end of the discussion and count toward course grade.

Please read the CICS inclusivity statement, copied here:

The College of Computer and Information Sciences shares UMass Amherst’s commitment to diversity. We welcome all individuals regardless of age, background, citizenship, disability, sex, education, ethnicity, family status, gender, gender identity, geographical origin, language, military experience, political views, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and work experience. We expect all members of our community to treat others with respect and civility.

If you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, please contact Disability Services, located in 161 Whitmore Hall, (413) 545-0892. If you are eligible, they will grant you accommodations and notify the instructors.