CS 441T/541T Course Information (Fall 2003)

CS 441T/541T Course Information (Fall 2003)

Prerequisites: CSE 241 and CSE 240/CS 201. The most important prerequisite is the ability to create and write proofs using induction, proof by contradiction, and proof by cases.
Time/Place: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-2:30pm, Cupples II, 217
Professor: Dr. Sally A. Goldman (sg@cs), Bryan 515, 935-7545
The Course TAs are: Joel Brandt (jbrandt@wustl.edu), Sajeeva Pallemulle (sajeeva@cs.wustl.edu).
Office Hours:
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To be announced
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The text book for this course is the 2nd edition of Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein (MIT Press/McGraw-Hill, 1990). If you have the first edition of the text, the key changes relevant to this are that the chapters on greedy algorithms, dynamic programming and NP-completeness have been revised and some of the examples and presentation has been changed and a chapter on linear programming has been added. A copy of the second edition will be put on reserve at Olin Library.
Homework Assignments: There will by 6 required homework assignments. (Homework 5 and 6 will be shorter assignments since less time is available for them.) The assignments are due either in Dr. Goldman's mailbox in Bryan 509 by 11:20am or in class at the beginning of class on the given due date. Any homework submitted in class after 11:40am will be given a 15 point late penalty. If you arrive to class after 11:40, wait until the end of class to bring up your homeworks. It is VERY disruptive to have students walking in late and coming to the front of the class to submit their homeworks. No assignments will be accepted after the solutions are handed out at the end of class. Each homework consists of:
- A core section that contains the problems required by all students enrolled for credit in either CS 441T or CS 541T.
- An advanced section contains problems required only for students registered in CS 541T. They are extra credit problems for CS 441T students. Note that the points obtained on the extra credit problems are recorded but not added into the score. They are only used to help decide the grade in border line cases. Thus you should be sure to do the core section before beginning the extra credit problems.
You are strongly advised to get started early so that you can get help if needed! These homeworks are not designed to be done in just a few days. I expect you to spend 10-14 hours for a two week homework assignment --- It will be very frustrating if you try to do this all in the last few days. For some problems you may need to think about them a while and then set them aside for a little.
Policy on Collaboration: Each homework you submit should be the result of your own effort. For ALL homework problems you ARE NOT permitted to consult the solutions from another student (former or current), or copy/consult the provided solutions from previous years. Each homework must be submitted with a signed cover sheet.
In solving your homework problems, you may discuss HIGH-LEVEL approaches to solving the homework problems with your classmates, HOWEVER, you are to work out all details of any solutions discussed and write up the solution completely on your own. In particular, when working with a student on an assigned homework problem you should do so verbally -- Nothing should be written. Remember to keep your discussion at a high-level so that everyone can work out the details on their own. Also you must clearly acknowledge anyone (besides me or a class TA) with whom you discussed any problem and say briefly what you discussed.
Please keep any discussions you have with other students to a small group of no more than 3 students and be sure that each of you are equally involved. If you just listen in and are then able to understand and write up the solution you have missed at least half of the benefit of the homework and this will show up on the exam. It is really important to work through the process of recognizing when you are heading the wrong way and learning how to work through the problem solving process.
Violations of any of the above rules will be dealt with harshly! These homework problems are designed to help you learn the material being taught. Being told the solution and understanding it is VERY different from working through the process of actually finding a solution. If you do not take an active role in the process of solving the homework problems, then you won't get much out of it, hence you won't learn the material and you are unlikely to pass the exams.
Homework Grading: Some of the core homework problems will be made available to be graded by some class members under the guidance of the teaching assistants. While it is important that you can design and analyze an algorithm, it is equally important that you can evaluate an algorithm written by someone else and verify its correctness and stated time complexity. Each student can volunteer to grade one problem (of one problem set). To grade a problem you must first solve it and then verbally go over your solution with me. The student graders will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis. Based on the quality of your grading you will receive up to twice the point value for the problem you grade.
Exams: There will be two in-class exams and a final exam. There will be additional problems on the CS 541T version of the exam. All exams will be closed book.
Switching Between CS 441T and CS 541T: Through November 14th you may switch from CS 541T to CS 441T, but not the other way. Thus if you are undecided I encourage you to begin by doing the required work for CS 541T and see how that goes for you.
Computation of the Final Grade: The total number of points that you receive on the homeworks will account for 50% of your grade, each of the in-class exams will count for 15% of your grade, and the final will account for 20% of your grade. An "A" will be awarded for an overall percentage of 85% or better, a "B" is given for an overall percentage between 75% and 84%, a "C" is given for an overall percentage between 65% and 74%, a "D" is given for an overall percentage between 55% and 64%. No credit (i.e. an "F") will be given an overall percentage less than 55%.

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