CSCI 385 Spring 2006

Archived Class

Charles Cusack
Computer Science
Hope College

CSCI 385 Information


Time	12:00-1:20pm TR, 12:00-12:50pm F
Location	SCICTR 1128

Instructor	Chuck Cusack
E-mail	cusack@hope.edu
Office	VWF 229
Phone	395-7271
Office Hours	10:30-11:30am TR, and by appointment

Schedule	The Schedule link gives the details for each class period, including what you should read before each class period, what assignments are due, when tests will be, etc. Since the schedule may change as the course progresses, please refer to it on a regular basis. *Note:* Events listed for Tuesday apply to both the Monday and Tuesday Recitation for that week.

Textbooks/ Resources	Introduction to The Design and Analsysis of Algorithms, Anany Levitin, Addison Wesley, 2003. Latex Links Getting Started with LaTeX Tex Users Group The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX 2e

Course Coverage	The main purpose of this course is to teach you how to properly design and analyze algorithms. Specific topics include: The basics of algorithm analysis including Asymptotic notation Complexity classes Analyzing recursive algorithms Creating and solving recurrence relations Algorithmic techniques, including Brute Force Divide-and-Conquer Decrease-and-Conquer Transform-and-Conquer Space and Time Tradeoffs Dynamic Programming Greedy Techniques Distributed Algorithms Theory of computing, including Tractable and intractable problems Complexity classes like P, NP, and NP-Complete See the Schedule for a more detailed description of what we will do when.

Reading the Textbook	Before class each day you should read the sections of the textbook listed on the schedule for that day. Be sure the read the introduction to each chapter and the entire section(s) indicated. Each class will start with question you may have about what you read. After clearing up any confusions, we will spend class time doing examples and solving related problems. If you are not doing the assigned readings, you will not get nearly as much out of the course as possible, and it is likely your grade will reflect that.

Suggested Exercises	After you read each section, attempt as many of the suggested exercises as you are able. This will help you to clear up confusions, and will in some cases clarify what difficulties you are having, which will allow you to ask the right questions during the lectures.