Course Syllabus

Course Information

Course name and number: CPSC 6109 - Algorithms Analysis and Design

Credit Hours: 3

Course Description: The need for efficient algorithms arises in nearly every area of computer science. This course covers the modern theory of algorithms, focusing on the themes of efficient algorithms and intractable problems. The course introduces many of the techniques that apply broadly in the design of efficient algorithms, and study their application in a wide range of application domains and computational models. Topics include Basic Data Structuring Problems, Recursion, Computational Complexity, Graph Algorithms, Greedy Algorithms, Dynamic Data Structures, Hashing, Approximation Algorithms, Linear programming, Parallel Algorithms and Novel Approaches to NP-Complete Problems. The course requires familiarity with Java Programming Language.

Required Competencies/Prerequisites: None

Course Offering (days/times and room):

Section 01 (50% online): 1:00 - 2:15 PM Wednesdays in SCCT 407
Section V01 (100% online): None

Course Registration Number (CRN):

Section 01 (50% online): 21442
Section V01 (100% online): 21443

Websites:

The course schedule, assignment descriptions, etc. are hosted at http://csc.ColumbusState.edu/carroll/6109/.
Grades for each assignment, assignment submissions, quizzes, etc. are hosted in CougarVIEW.

The last day to drop without a grade and receive a 100% refund: Friday, January 12, 2024

Deadline to withdraw with a WP (Withdraw Pass): Friday, March 1, 2024

Instructor Information

Name: Dr. Hyrum D. Carroll
E-mail: carroll_hyrum@ColumbusState.edu
Phone: (706) 507-8182

Student Drop-in Hours:

I will keep the following Student Drop-In Hours. I will be both in my office and available online. I can also be available at other times by scheduling an appointment at https://drcarroll.youcanbook.me/. During my regular Student Drop-In Hours (if I don't have a meeting) you can start a video chat with me by clicking HERE.

Student Drop-In Hours
Day	Times
Tuesday	11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday	2:30 – 3:30 PM
Thursday	11:00 AM – 12:00 PM 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Friday	11:00 AM – 12:00 PM 2:30 – 3:30 PM
And by appointment

Textbooks and Materials

Required Textbook

Introduction to Algorithms, Fourth Edition
Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein
ISBN: 9780262046305

Resources

We will use Java as the programming language for this course. You can use the IDE of your choice. For example, Netbeans IDE 8 or above (available for free download at: http://www.netbeans.org/). You will need access to a computer with Java. Note, the computers in the labs on the SCCT building have Netbeans.

Modules

Computational Complexity & Recursion
Sorting Algorithms
Dynamic Data Structures & Binary Search Trees
Hashing
Dynamic Programming
Greedy Algorithms
Elementary Graph Algorithms
Minimum Spanning Trees
Single-Source Shortest Paths
Parallel Algorithms
Linear programming
NP-Completeness
Approximation Algorithms

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Objective: Upon completion of this course, students will

Learn how to design efficient algorithms and to recognize situations where this is not possible.
Analyze the asymptotic performance of algorithms.
Demonstrate a familiarity with major algorithms and data structures.
Apply important algorithmic design paradigms and methods of analysis.
Synthesize efficient algorithms in common engineering design situations.

Activity Expectations and Assignment Requirements

Attendance

Attendance is required by the university and will be recorded at the beginning of each class. It may also be used in determining grades. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to independently cover any materials missed. Makeup exams or quizzes are generally not given, so please make sure you are present for all exams and quizzes.

Section 01 (50% online)

I expect each student to be in attendance for each class in-person. Attendance will be calculated by your arrival and duration in class. It is your responsibility to make sure your attendance gets recorded correctly for every class meeting (see under Student Responsibilities below). If you can not make a class, please inform me and get the relevant materials from a classmate.

Computers are permitted in lecture for note taking and completing exercises. Other activities such as web surfing, stock trading, and social networking are inappropriate. Not only do they distract you but also others.

Students that do not attend both of the first two lectures may be dropped from the course. Refer to the CSU Catalog (https://catalog.columbusstate.edu/academic-regulations/undergraduate-academic-regulations/) for more information on class attendance and withdrawal.

Section V01 (100% Online)

Attendance will be calculated for each module based on completing at least 70% of the activities for that module.

Projects

There will be multiple projects in this course. Projects must be written in Java. They are due at 10:00 PM Eastern Time on the assigned due date (unless indicated otherwise).

If an assignment contains portions that are more than 75% similar to other material (not provided by the instructor), zero points will be awarded Additionally, an Academic Misconduct incident may be reported as well.
Students missing two or more projects will receive an F or FA in this course. It is recommended that you regularly keep a copy of your projects on a second device.

Project Late Policy

A total of at most 3 project late days will be granted for the entire semester for projects (and only for projects). For example, if Project 2 is turned in two days late and Project 3 is turned in one day late, then all of the late days for the semester have been used.

Exams

There will be an exam during the regular semester (in addition to the final). This will be proctored using Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Using Respondus Monitor requires a fee of $15 per year. Respondus Monitor requires a webcam to work. These tools are known to not work with the following devices:

Chromebooks
iPads/tablets
Android devices
Smartphones

If you do not have a compatible laptop or desktop, you will need to find an alternative method to take each of the exams. Some options include:

You can borrow a computer from the CSU library (or a friend)
You can come to campus and use a computer in the Tutoring Lab, SCCT 450
You can take a proctored exam at a library. Most libraries offer these services.

Final Exam

The course final is comprehensive. Respondus Lockdown Browser is required for the final exam. For Section 01 (50% online), the final exam is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2024, 1:30 – 4:00 PM in the same room as the classroom. For Section V01 (100% online), the final exam will be proctored and available between Friday, May 1 2024 – and Monday, May 4, 2024. Failing the final may result in not passing the class.

Grading

Category	Percentage
Quizzes	20%
Assignments and Projects	40%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	20%

Each of the grading categories is capped at 100%.

Course letter grades are determined by the final course average according to the following chart:

Final Grade Calculation
% Range	Course Grade
90 – 100	A
80 – 89	B
70 – 79	C
60 – 69	D
<60	F

Expectations

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME

I will be prepared for lecture each day and will energetically present the material. I will ask questions to verify learning and understanding. I will answer all questions. They can be asked before class, during class, after class, via email or phone or during my Student Drop-in Hours (listed above).

Below are my target response times:

Target Response Times
Deliverable	Target
Email responses	≤ 2 school days
Quizzes posted	≥ 4 days (so that it's open at least 3 days)
Assignments posted	≥ 5 days before it's due
Projects posted	≥ 7 days before it's due
Quizzes graded	≤ 2 classes later
Assignments graded	≤ 4 school days
Discussion boards reviewed	≤ 5 school days
Projects graded	≤ 7 days
Exams graded	≤ 2 classes later

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU

Information regarding student rights and responsibilities can be found in the CSU Student Handbook.

As a student in this course, you are responsible to:

Be respectful to both your peers and instructors in all interactions.
Manage your time and maintain the discipline required to meet the course requirements.
Be prepared to ask questions to maximize your understanding of the material.
Complete all readings and watch all assigned videos,
Complete all assignments,
Complete all quizzes and exams,
Ask questions when something is not clear.
Actively participate in classroom discussions.
Submit work that is completely your own creation and not author by someone or something else.

Course Communication

E-mail

Use your official CSU account for all e-mail communication.
Regularly check your official CSU email (at least every 36 hours).
Follow common sense in writing and sending e-mail. As this course is a semi-public space, be cautious about sharing personal information such as your address or phone number.
Read and think about e-mail before sending. Email is a permanent record of your communication.
To help me prioritize responding to your email, please start the subject line with "CPSC 6109-01: " for my face-to-face students and "CPSC 6109-V01: " for my online students.

Technical Requirements/ Support

See the CougarVIEW Starter Guide for support with navigating this system.

Hardware Requirements

See the System Checker here. (GeorgiaVIEW’s system checker is compatible with CougarVIEW.)

Software Requirements

An office suite such as Microsoft Office or Open Office
- Microsoft Office 365 is available free to all CSU students through MyCSU.
- OpenOffice can be downloaded for free.
Acrobat Reader offers additional features for PDF files.

Browser Plugins (.pdf files, QuickTime files, .mp4 files) can be obtained at a browser's website:

Privacy Policies

Below are the links to the privacy policies for the tools that we will be using in this course: