Course Description
This is an introductory course on computational geometry and its applications. We will discuss techniques for designing and analyzing efficient algorithms and data structures for computational problems in discrete geometry, such as convex hulls, geometric intersections, geometric structures such as Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulations, arrangements of lines and hyperplanes, geometric range searching, and motion planning.
Course Format
The course format will differ significantly from previous semesters. Please feel free to talk with me if you have any questions or concerns with the following.
- Lectures will be in person (see class time below). Attendance in lectures is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. All lectures will be recorded and posted on ELMS/Canvas.
- There will be a number of homework sets, assigned roughly one each week. Each assignment will be posted at the start of the week and will be due the following Tuesday (at the start of class). Solutions will be discussed in class, so late homework submissions are not allowed. (Submit whatever you have finished.) You may drop your lowest two homework scores.
- There will be 4 in-class quizzes throughout the semester (see the Syllabus for dates). You can expect to see problems that are similar to those of recent homework assignments. Quizzes will be closed-book and closed-notes, but you will be allowed one sheet of notes. You may drop the lowest quiz score.
- There will be a comprehensive final exam (see the Syllabus for the date and time). The final exam will be closed-book and closed-notes, but you will be allowed two sheets of notes (front and back) for the final exam.
- Attendance is required for the quizzes and the final exam. (See the Syllabus for dates and the excused-absence policy.)
- Quizzes and the final exam will be processed electronically through Gradescope.
- We will use Piazza for discussions and important announcements. Click here to sign up.
- Office hours will be conducted both in-person and through Zoom. The schedule is given below. When there is a need to move from in-person to Zoom, we will post an announcement Piazza.
Class Time
Tue, Thu 9:30am-10:45pm, CSI 3117.
Course Staff
| Name | Role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Mount | Instructor | mount@umd.edu |
| Adi Acharya | Graduate TA | adach@umd.edu |
Office Hours
Office hours will be split between in-person and in Zoom. Adi's in-person office hours will take place in (room to be announced) and Dave Mount's will be in IRB 4246. If you cannot make the scheduled office hours, please feel free to contact either of us by email to set up an alternative time. We all allocate one hour per week for unscheduled office hours.
| Day | Time | Who | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 2-3pm | Dave | IRB 4246 |
| Monday | 4-5pm | Adi | Zoom |
| Wednesday | 4-5pm | Adi | AVW 4185 |
| Thursday | 2-3pm | Dave | IRB 4246 |
Piazza
Important class announcements will be made through Piazza. Once class has started, I'll send invitations to join the system.