CS H311 Honors Colloquium: Introduction to Algorithms

This course is an honors colloquium for COMPSCI 311. It requires a weekly 50 minute class meeting. Students will explore and discuss topics from the CS311 curriculum in greater detail. Students will also implement an algorithms programming project.

Prerequisites COMPSCI 187 and either COMPSCI 250 or MATH 455, all with a grade of C or better. Concurrent or previous enrollment (with a grade of B or better) in COMPSCI 311.

Topics (tentative)

• Algorithms for Strongly Connected Components
• Amortized Analysis
• Huffman Codes and Data Compression
• Generating Functions for Recurrence Relations
• Convolutions and the Fast Fourier Transform
• RNA Secondary Structure Prediction
• Advanced Network Flow Algorithms
• Network Flow Applications
• Co-NP and the Asymmetry of NP
• Space complexity and PSPACE
• Approximation Algorithms
• Local Search
• Randomization Algorithms

Grading The final grade in this colloquium will be based on short homeworks, due weekly or biweekly, and a final programming project on algorithm design and implementation, on a topic of the student's choosing. The relative weights are:

• Homeworks: 70%
• Project: 30%

Collaboration and Academic Honesty 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.

Accommodation Statement The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. In this case, you should notify the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester to make appropriate arrangements.

Inclusivity 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.