Email: sharma.thankachan@ucf.edu
Office Hours: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Friday (or by appoinment) at HEC 207
Course Webpage: http://www.cs.ucf.edu/~sharma/COT4400
University Course Catalog Description: Tools from discrete and continuous mathematics for analyzing complexity of algorithms. Order notation use and manipulation.
Course Overview: Review of mathematical background, sorting and searching, algorithm design techniques such as divide and conquer, greedy approach, dynamic programming, worst case and average case analysis techniques, data structures such as binary search trees and various heaps, graph algorithms, string algorithms and geometric data structures, advanced topics (P, NP, NP-Complete, etc) if time permits.
Course Objectives: Understanding of various types of techniques for algorithms design and (run time) analysis in detail. Also, a gentle introduction to several advanced data structures.
Text Books and Materials: Introduction to Algorithms (3rd edition) by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein. Click here for lecture notes.
Grading Policy: Grading will be on the curve and +/- grading system will be used (A, A-, B+, B, etc). The tentative grading weight is Midterm exam (25%), Final Exam (25%), Assignments (40%), Class Participation (10%) and Challenge Problems (with extra credits). Absence from the Final Exam (without a valid reason) will result in grade "F". Finally, the instructor reserves the right to change the grading policy at any time, but will explain the changes beforehand.
Tip for success: attend lectures and take notes.
Rules to Abide by
Both midterm and final are going to be open handwritten note book (so, take notes !!!).
Course Policies: Student Expectations
Disability Access: The University of Central Florida and the instructor is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Ferrell Commons Room 185, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to make every effort to attend all classes. Please see the instructor if you plan to be absent for more than 4 consecutive classes.
Professionalism Policy: Per university policy and classroom etiquette; mobile phones, iPods, etc. must be silenced during all classroom and lab lectures. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom/lab immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned may suffer a reduction in their final class grade.
Academic Conduct Policy: Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes academic dishonesty, please consult The Golden Rule, the University of Central Florida's Student Handbook (http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/) for further details. As in all University courses, The Golden Rule Rules of Conduct will be applied. Violations of these rules will result in a record of the infraction being placed in your file and receiving a zero on the work in question AT A MINIMUM. At the instructor’s discretion, you may also receive a failing grade for the course. Confirmation of such incidents can also result in expulsion from the University.
University Writing Center: The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF undergraduates and graduates. At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.uwc.ucf.edu, stop by MOD 608, or call 407.823.2197.
Religious Observances: Students are expected to notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss class to observe a holy day of their religious faith. The Office of Diversity Initiatives at 407-823-6479 may assist students in this process.