CISC 5825: Computer Algorithms

General information

Faculty: Dr. A. G. Werschulz
Office: Rm LL610D.
Phone: (212) 636-6325
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm to 5:25 pm, or by appointment.

Teaching Assistant: Ming Chen
Office: Rm LL612.
Office Hours: Mondays, 3:00 to 5:00.

Class meetings: Wednesdays, 5:30pm to 7:45pm, Room LL307.
We will not be having class on Wednesday, September 4, which is a "virtual Monday".

Class email list: algs-grad STRUDEL dsm.fordham.edu (STRUDEL is a thinly-disguised @, to thwart the amount of spam that your instructor receives in his guise of list manager). This can be used for both announcements and discussion.

Text and Readings

Grading

• homework assignments: 50%
• one midterm exam: 25%
• one final exam: 25%

Protocol

• Examinations: The midterm exam will be given on Wednesday, October 16, at the beginning of the regular class period. The final exam will be on Wednesday, December 18, during the usual class period.
• Homeworks will be assigned every week, and will be due at the beginning of the next class session; they will be posted on the class website. Homework assignments may involve theoretical work (such as determining the worst-case run-time of some algorithm) or programming, perhaps both. Late homework will not be accepted, barring serious illness or unavailability of the Departmental computing facilities.
• Electronica: You may not use laptop computers, tablets, or mobile phones, neither during the lecture nor during the lab.

Additional Remarks

• Some resources:
  • The class syllabus.
  • Before we cover each of this book's chapters during lecture, I'd strongly advise you to print out the handout version of the overhead slides for said chapter. This will allow you to jot down additional notes concerning each slide.

  • The original version of the Big-O Cheat Sheet, as well as a printable version. Need I say more?

    Speaking of Big-O and algorithm behavior, take a look at the sort animation page for a bit of fun.

  • A good chunk of the homework assignments will involve math, rather than programming. It's generally agreed that the best way to produce high-quality documents containing mathematics is to use LaTeX.
  • There is an online introduction on using the Linux computer systems at Lincoln Center that belong to the Computer and Information Sciences Department. Please take some time to read this. It has the answers to a lot of questions.
  • Many websites have material on Unix and Linux. I have collected a sample of same. You should especially look at the material for beginners.
  • We strongly encourage you to use the emacs editor for creating programs. Your instructor thinks that it's the best programmer's editor, with many handy features (but not so many as to overwhelm you).
• Academic integrity statement
• Makeup exam policy
• If you believe that you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. If so, please schedule an appointment to speak with me immediately or you may go to the Office of Disability Services (x6282). Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal access to the programs and activities of Fordham University.