CPSC 220: Fundamentals of Computer Science III
Fall 2007
Instructor: / Dr. Adrienne Bloss / Office Hours: / MW: 10:50 - 11:50Office: / 110 Administration Bldg / TTh: 2:30 - 3:30
Phone: / 375-2434 / Also by appointment
E-Mail: /
Course Objectives: This is the third and final course in the introductory computer science sequence. This course focuses on the design, implementation and analysis of elementary data structures. Students will learn fundamentals of efficient sorting and searching and the mathematical theory underlying tree and graph structures. Students will also apply formal mathematical reasoning, including inductive proof techniques and complexity analysis based on recurrence relations, to such structures and algorithms. Programming will emphasize object-oriented design and will be done in Java.
Prerequisite: CPSC 170.
Text: Java software structures: designing and using data structures, 2nd edition, by John Lewis and Joseph Chase, Addison Wesley, 2005. Additional materials may also be provided.
Homework Assignments: Homework assignments are small theoretical or applied problems that are designed to reinforce the material covered in the text or in class. Homework will be assigned frequently and will be due at the beginning of the next class unless otherwise specified. Late homework will not be accepted for credit except by special arrangement. Students are encouraged to work together on homework assignments, but it is never permissible for a student to turn in work that is substantially someone else's as his or her own.
Programming Projects: Programming projects are designed to give students the opportunity to apply the problem solving and programming skills they have learned to larger projects. Programming projects are to be individual work. Students may discuss general program design and may seek input from other students on syntax errors, but programs are NOT to be constructed jointly or with substantial help from anyone but the instructor -- each student is responsible for his or her own design and code. Students are strongly encouraged to seek help from the instructor. Code or algorithms taken from any outside source must be documented by citing the source.
Unless otherwise specified, projects are to be turned in by 4 pm on the due date. Five percent per calendar day (24 hours) will be deducted for late work; work more than 5 days late may receive no credit. A student who anticipates being unable to meet a deadline should talk to me before the deadline; in extenuating circumstances we may be able to make special arrangements.
MCSP Conversation Series: The Math, Computer Science and Physics department offers a series of discussions that appeal to a broad range of interests related to these fields of study. These sessions will engage the community to think about ongoing research, novel applications and other issues that face our disciplines. Students in this class are required to participate in at least two of these sessions this semester and, within one week, submit a 1-2 page paper discussing and responding to the issues that were raised. Consult the MCSP web site for this semester's schedule of talks.
Attendance Policy: Class attendance is a very important aspect of a student's success in this course. The student is expected to attend every class and is accountable for any missed classes.
Grading Policy: The course grade will be based on three tests, homework assignments, programming projects, and a comprehensive final examination. The course grade is determined using the following weights:
tests.....40% homework...... 15% projects...... 23% colloquia...... 2% final exam...... 20%
Grading Scale: / 93-100 / A / 83-86 / B / 73-76 / C / 63-66 / D90-92 / A- / 80-82 / B- / 70-72 / C- / 60-62 / D-
87-89 / B+ / 77-79 / C+ / 67-69 / D+ / below 60 / F
Course Topics and Schedule (subject to change with notice)
Week of / Topics / Sections in TextAug 29 / Introduction and review of linear collections; begin sorting and searching / Most of chapters 2,3,4,6,7,8,10 (!)
Sept 3 / Sorting and searching / Chapter 11
Sept 10 / Introduction to trees / Chapter 12
Sept 17 / Binary search trees / Chapter 12
Sept 24 / ** TEST 1 **
Formal reasoning about trees / Supplemental materials
Oct 1 / More formal reasoning about trees / Supplemental materials
Oct 8 / Multiway search trees / Chapter 16
Oct 15 / Fall Break!!
Oct 22 / Heaps / Chapter 15
Oct 29 / ** TEST 2 **
Hashing / Chapter 17
Nov 5 / Introduction to graphs / Section 18.1-18.3, 18.5
Nov 12 / Graph algorithms / 18.4
Nov 19 / More graph algorithms and applications
Thanksgiving break / Supplemental materials
Nov 26 / ** TEST 3 **
Advanced algorithms
Dec 3 / Wrap-up and catch-up
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, Dec 12, 8:30-11:30
Exact test dates will be announced at least one week in advance.
Make-up Policy: Everyone is expected to take tests and the exam at the scheduled time. Make-ups may be available at the discretion of the instructor in case of medical emergency, and under other extenuating circumstances if the instructor is notified ahead of time. Make-up tests, if given, may be oral.
Academic Integrity
- Students may work together on homework assignments, and are encouraged to do so. They may discuss programming projects in a limited way as described above. However, copying any portion of someone else's work or turning in work that is substantially someone else's is never allowed. Consultation with the instructor is always encouraged.
- Unless otherwise announced in class, tests and exams are to be the work of the individual student.
Students who need help with any aspect of the course are encouraged to contact the instructor.
Computer Use Policies: All students must abide by the Computer Use policies of Roanoke College. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from the course.