CS 577: Introduction to Algorithms

    Section 2: MWF 11:00-11:50 AM in Psychology 113
    Spring 2016
 

      Lectures
      Homework
      Course Calendar
      Piazza



    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, 2005.

    References

    S. Dasgupta, C. Papadimitriou, and U. Vazirani, Algorithms, 1st edition, 2008.
    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).

    Exams

    All exams are closed book and closed notes. However, you will be allowed to bring a "cheat-sheet".
    • Midterm (30%). W 3/16 7:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
    • Final (30%). F 5/13 12:25 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.


    Grading Policy

    • Point distribution. The points distribution for final grades is as follows: homework (40% - 8x5; the lowest homework score will be dropped), midterm (30%), final (30%).
    • Homeworks. There will be 9 homeworks in all, roughly one every week. Homework release dates and due dates are posted on the course calendar. We will drop the lowest homework score from consideration when tallying each student's final score.
    • Collaboration policy. Homework must be done and submitted in pairs (or, in an exceptional situation by the instructor's permission, in groups of three). You may not consult any material other than your lecture notes and the course text or reference books. In particular, the use of materials (such as homework solutions) from previous versions of the course or from the Internet is considered plagiarism and will warrant strict action in accordance with university policy.
    • 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.
    • Extra credit questions and discussion on Piazza. Some of the homeworks will contain extra credit questions. These questions have no points associated with them. However, we will keep a record of how many questions each student (or team) solves correctly. At the end of the semester, your performance on these questions may help your letter grade if your total score is close to the boundary between two grades. Your participation on the online discussion site Piazza may similarly help your letter grade.


    Staff + contact info
    (Note: all TA office hours are held in CS 1304. Shuchi's office hours are held in CS 4373.)

    Instructor for section 2:
    Shuchi Chawla CS 4373; x0027; shuchi (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu

    Teaching Assistants:    
    Ben Miller bmiller (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
    Rex Fernando rex (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu
    Kevin Kowalski nargle (AT) cs (DOT) wisc (DOT) edu