Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms -- CMSC 451

(Section 0201)

Fall 2020

Course Overview

This is a traditional, upper-level course on the design and analysis of computer algorithms. The goals of the class are

to cover standard measures of algorithmic complexity;
to introduce you to basic algorithms for common problems;
to teach fundamental paradigms that will allow you to design algorithms for new problems; and
to help you identify problems that (likely) cannot be solved efficiently, as well as how to relax such problems in the hopes of obtaining an efficient solution.

The course will closely follow the textbook "Algorithm Design (1st edition)," by Kleinberg and Tardos, however there are many other textbooks as well as online lecture notes that cover similar material. Students are expected to be familiar with basic programming, discrete mathematics, and basic data structures.

Note that another section of 451 is being offered this semester. The two sections will be very similar, but not identical. You are responsible for the material covered in the section in which you are registered.

This course will follow all applicable UMD policies and procedures.

General Information

The class meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 - 10:45. Lectures will be offered online at the scheduled class time (i.e., "synchronously"), but will be recorded. The Zoom link for attending class is available on Canvas/ELMS.
Grading will be based on five homeworks assigned throughout the course (40%, lowest grade will be dropped), a midterm exam (25%), and a final exam (35%).
This course is not curved. What this means is that there is no predetermined number of students who will get As, Bs, Cs, etc. This also means that students in the class are not competing with each other. Every student's final grade is determined by how well he/she is able to demonstrate his/her understanding of the material, and the intention is that every student should be able to get an A. The plus/minus grading system will be used.
We will use Piazza for class announcements and questions/discussion. Please use Piazza (rather than email) for all questions about the course material.

Homeworks and Exams

Homeworks, solutions, practice exams, and exams will be available on Canvas/ELMS. The detailed syllabus indicates the due dates for all homeworks and exams.
Homeworks and exams should be submitted using Gradescope. You should be registered automatically; if not, please email the instructor. Please ensure that you are able to upload your solutions by making a test submission well in advance of the first deadline.
Your homework/exam submissions should be PDF files, prepared either as typeset documents (e.g., using LaTeX) or a clear scan of handwritten solutions. Your solutions must be written neatly and legibly, and you should always aim to give a concise and simple solution.
No extensions will be given for homeworks or exams. As noted above, the lowest homework grade will be dropped; this policy was specifically put into place to account for potential personal/medical emergencies during the semester. If you are unable to complete an exam, or more than one homework, by their corresponding deadlines due to an excused absence---as defined by University of Maryland policy, as modified for Fall 2020---the remaining assignments will be re-weighted. Students who complete less than 50% of the coursework should expect to withdraw.
While you may discuss homework problems with other student in the class, the TA, and/or the instructor, your submitted solutions must be based on your own work and written by you alone.
Exams will be open book/notes, but Internet access is not allowed while taking the exam. Exams will have a self-monitored time limit, and you may not discuss the exam with anyone else. You will be asked to sign an honor pledge that you have followed these guidelines.
If you request a regrade of a homework or exam, your request must include a detailed explanation of why you believe a regrade is warranted. In response to a regrade request, the entire homework/exam will be regraded and not just the specific question (or part of a question) that you want regraded.

Staff

Instructor: Professor Jonathan Katz (jkatz AT cs DOT umd DOT edu). Office: 5226 Iribe. Office hours: Monday 5-6. Please send me an email by that morning if you plan to attend my office hours. Important: if you send me any email related to this class, please begin the subject line with [CMSC451].
Teaching Assistants (Zoom links posted on Canvas):
- Amir Ahanchi. Office hours: Wednesday 12-2.
- Saba Ahmadi. Office hours: Monday 11-1.
- Doruk Gür. Office hours: Friday 9:30-11:30.
- Ben Sela. Office hours: Monday 2:30-3:30.

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