CSC 321 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Summary
This course is an introductory course on the
design and analysis of algorithms. We will be studying and analyzing
some basic methods and techniques that are used for solving problems
in different areas of applications in computer science.
Texts
R. Johnsonbaugh and M. Schaefer, Algorithms, Prentice Hall, 2003. ISBN 0-02-360692-4.
Grading
1.Homework Assignments (including programming) --- 40%
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the specified due date.
2. Midterm --- 20%
The midterm will be given on Monday, October 21, in class. Students who are unable to take the midterm on the scheduled date, and have sound reasons, should contact me in advance.
3. Final Exam --- 40%
The final exam will be given on Monday, November 25, from 11:45 - 2:00, in class. Students who are unable to take the final on the scheduled date, and have sound reasons, should contact me in advance.
4. Puzzle of the week --- extra credit
Since this course mainly focuses on solving problems, it is essential that you try to enhance your problem-solving skills by solving as many problems as you can. To this end, and to help you boost your grade, I will be providing you with a bonus problem on each homework in the form of a puzzle. Those puzzles will be instructive and at the same time fun to work on.
Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
90--100 = A
80--89 = B
70--79 = C
60--69 = D
< 60 = F
Prerequisites
Math-141 and (CSC-301 or CSC-383 or CSC-393).
Topics
1. Introduction; Growth of functions and algorithm analysis;
Recurrences (Chapters 1, 2).
2. Divide and conquer (Chapter 5).
3. Dynamic programming (Chapter 8).
4. Greedy algorithms (Chapter 7).
5. Sorting algorithms (selection, merge, heap, quick, counting,
radix sorts) (Chapters 3, 5, 6).
6. Graph searching (depth first and breadth first) (Chapter 4).
7. Basic graph algorithms (topological sorting, connectivity,
shortest paths, minimum spanning trees, bi-connectivity)
(Chapters 4, 7).
8. Other selected topics if time permits.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
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Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296