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       UW CS
       Theory Group

Course Information

Course Description

This is a first course in the design and analysis of algorithms. The main focus is on techniques for constructing correct and efficient algorithms, and on tools to reason about them. Design paradigms include greed, divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, reduction to network flow, and the use of randomness. A second focus point is computational intractability. NP-complete problems are covered, as well as ways to deal with them. The course forms a foundation for all areas of computer science. The particular computational problems discussed have applications in artificial intelligence, computational biology, compiler construction, hardware and network protocols, and optimization.

Textbook

Jon Kleinberg and Eva Tardos, Algorithm Design, Addison-Wesley, 2006.

References

T. Cormen, C. Leiserson, R. Rivest, and C. Stein, Introduction to Algorithms, 2nd edition, 2001.
K. Rosen, Discrete Mathematics and its Applications, 4th edition, 2003.

Prerequisites

CS 240 (Discrete Mathematics), and CS 367 (Data Structures) are essential prerequisites. The course catalogue also lists Math 222 (second semester of Calculus) but that prerequisite is not as essential as the other two. A self-calibration homework will be handed out in the first lecture.

Exams

All three exams are closed book and closed notes. However, you will be allowed to bring a "cheat-sheet".
• Quiz 1 (12%). M 2/22 11:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. (in class).
• Quiz 2 (12%). F 3/19 11:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. (in class).
• Final (40%). R 5/13 5:05 p.m. - 7:05 p.m.


Grading Policy


• Point distribution. The points distribution for final grades is as follows: homeworks (36% - best 9 out of 10), two quizzes (12% each), final (40%).
• Homeworks. There will be 10 graded homeworks in all. Homework release dates and due dates are posted here. We will drop the lowest homework score from consideration when tallying each student's final score. Homeworks may be done in pairs.
• Lateness policy. Each homework is due at the beginning of the lecture on the due date. No extensions will be given on the due date. However, we will drop each student's lowest homework score from consideration.


Staff

Instructor:	Shuchi Chawla
Office:	CS 4373
Phone:	890-0027
Email:	shuchi (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
Lectures:	MWF 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. in COMP S&ST 1221
Office hours:	T 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. & M 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Teaching Assistant:	Nilay Vaish
Office:	CS 3379
Email:	nilay (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
Office hours:	W 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. & R 11:00 a.m. - noon
Teaching Assistant:	Maheswaran Venkatachalam
Office:	CS 1308
Email:	kvmakes (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
Office hours:	MF 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Teaching Assistant:	Weiyan Wang
Office:	CS 1301
Email:	wywang (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
Office hours:	R 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (grading-related queries only)