CSE5311 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Dr. Mohan Kumar

FALL 2010

Course Syllabus and Details

Course Description

Design and Analysis of Algorithms is THE most important basic course in any graduate computer science and engineering curriculum. It is vital for every computer science student to be fluent with algorithms and their analysis. Typically, this course should be taken in the very first semester of graduate study because algorithms are used in Networks, Operating Systems, Databases, and other (including advanced) courses.

Course Objectives

The principal objective of this course is to build a solid foundation in algorithms and their applications.    Students completing this course are expected to appreciate the importance of algorithms in other areas – for example routing in networks, query processing in databases, collaboration in distributed computing, efficient caching in operating systems etc. 

Course Prerequisites

Data Structures (CSE 2320) and Theoretical Concepts in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE 3315) OR Equivalent. Creative thinking, sound mathematical insight and programming skills.

Mode of Teaching

The class meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 to 4:50pm). Power point slides and other lecture material will be used. At the end of each topic, students must attempt to solve exercise problems. There will be no specific text book for the class – the instructor will provide comprehensive notes and references to relevant material. Exercise problems can be found on the course web page and in reference books. All students are expected to work on these problems and participate in the class discussions.

Algorithms are critical to your development as a computer scientist, a researcher, a creative thinker and/or a problem solver. This is a fundamental course - algorithms are extensively used in databases, networks, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, pervasive and mobile computing, robotics, security, architecture, all engineering and science disciplines, finance, management, music, biology and indeed in everyday life. In this course you will be encouraged to think on your own and to discuss solutions with your peers. The course is not limited to any programming language. Students are strongly encouraged to use reference books and course material provided by the professor.

 

Professor: Mohan Kumar, 335 ELB       Email: mkumar@uta.edu          Phone: (817) 272-3610

Class: NH 202; Tue/Thu  - 7:00 – 8:20 PM;        Office Hours: Thu -  2:00 to 5:00 PM;   

Course site: http://crystal.uta.edu/~kumar/cse5311_10FLDAA      GTA: TBA    

Course Syllabus:

·            Review of Asymptotic Analysis and Growth of Functions; Trees, Heaps, and Graphs; and Recurrences.

·            Greedy Algorithms: Minimum spanning tree, Union-Find algorithms, Kruskal's Algorithm, Clustering, Huffman Codes, and Multiphase greedy algorithms.

·            Dynamic Programming: Shortest paths, negative cycles, matrix chain multiplications, sequence alignment, RNA secondary structure, application examples.

·            Network Flow: Maximum flow problem, Ford-Fulkerson algorithm, augmenting paths, Bipartite matching problem, disjoint paths and application problems.

·            NP and Computational tractability: Polynomial time reductions; The Satisfiability problem; NP-Complete problems; and Extending limits of tractability.

·            Approximation Algorithms, Local Search and Randomized Algorithms

·            Applications of Algorithms, sample examples

Text book

           There is no specified text book for this course. There are several good quality books. However, the recommended reference book for a graduate course in algorithms is “Algorithm Design by Kleinberg and Tardos”. Detailed course material and exercises will be available on the course page before the beginning of Fall semester. Students are also expected to refer books from the list below.

References

·            Class Notes, Power point slides, and Exercise Problems

·            Algorithm Design

o   Jon Kleinberg and Éva Tardos, Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2004.

·            The Design and Analysis of Algorithms 1974

o   AV Aho, JE Hopcroft and JD Ullman, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company

·            Introduction to Algorithms: A Creative Approach, Reprinted 1989

o   Udi Manber, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company

·            Introduction to Algorithms, Second Edition, 2001

o   T Cormen, C E Leiserson, R L Rivest and C Stein McGraw Hill and MIT Press

·            Graph Algorithms, 1979

o   Shimon Even, Computer Science Press

·            Introduction to the Theory of Computation, 1992

o   Michael Sipser, PWS Publishing Company

·            The Art of Computer Programming, Vols. 1 and 3

o   Knuth, Addison Wesley Publishing Company

Assessment

Quizzes and class participation: 40%

The structure of the quizzes will be discussed in class, at least one week prior to the quiz.

Quiz 1 (10%): September 9, 2010

Quiz 2 (10%): September 23, 2010

Quiz 3 (10%): October 07, 2010

Quiz 4 (10%): October 28, 2010

Final Exam (30%): December 02, 2010.

Lab Assignment: 30%

Quizzes are of 60 minutes and the Final Exam is of 2 hours duration.

 

Lab Assignment:

Assignment problems will be handed out by September 15, 2010 and the expected date of Completion is November 30, 2010. The students will be required to write programs and run experiments.

 

Homework Assignments: No Grades awarded directly!

Class participation: ACTIVE Participation will prepare you well for Quizzes and Exams Students are expected to interact actively during lectures. All students are expected to solve homework problems and discuss solutions in the class.

Missed Exams, Quizzes, and Makeup Work

Talk to the instructor if you miss an exam or quiz due to unavoidable circumstances (e.g., health).

Attendance and Drop Policy

Attendance though not mandatory, is HIGHLY encouraged. Class participation is important to your grade in the 'Quizzes and Class Participation' component.

Please visit course page for details on Americans with Disabilities Act, Academic Dishonesty and Student Support Services.