Description
An introductory course on randomized algorithms, and
probabilistic techniques in computer science.
Instructors
Prof. Nicholas
Harvey
TAs:
·
Emily Gong, gongz@student.ubc.ca
·
Michael Liu, mfliu@cs.ubc.ca
·
Victor Sanches Portella, victorsp@cs.ubc.ca
Textbook
·
N. Harvey, “A
first course in randomized algorithms”
https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~nickhar/Book1.pdf
Grading Scheme
·
25%: Assignments (there will be 6 of them)
·
25%: Midterm
·
50%: Final exam
There is no additional requirement to pass
the exams.
Positive Space
My
expectation is that all aspects of this course (lectures, Piazza, office hours,
textbook, exercises) are welcoming and respectful to all members of the UBC
community. Please bring to my attention any behavior that is disparaging, disrespectful,
inflammatory, prejudicial, or could be construed as microaggresions
or bullying.
I
will do my best to hold myself to the same standard. There may be the
occasional slip up, but hopefully they are infrequent and forgivable. If I am
the perpetrator of any negative behavior, please either can bring it to my attention,
or notify a neutral third party, such as the associate head for undergraduate
affairs ah-ugrad@cs.ubc.ca.
Please
educate yourself about the following resources.
·
https://www.cs.ubc.ca/students/undergrad/resources/equity-inclusion-wellness
·
https://bullyingandharassment.ubc.ca/
Assignment Guidelines
Collaboration: You can work alone or in a group of
two. Each group should make a single submission per assignment. Collaboration
with others is limited to discussion and brainstorming. Each group must write
their own independent solution, using their own words. Acknowledge all
collaborators or sources of assistance in your submission, although you need
only name CPSC 421 course staff, handouts, and textbooks if you quote or adapt
directly from them.
Formatting: We require that assignments
be submitted using LaTeX. We will make the .tex version
of the assignment available, to make it easier for you to prepare your
solutions using LaTeX. Submissions that are not typeset in Latex will
incur a severe penalty. Their grade will be multiplied by 0.5.
Submission: Submit your assignments on Gradescope by
11:59:00pm. You can submit early and resubmit as often as you want up to the
deadline. We strongly encourage you to submit something a few days in
advance of the first assignment, to make sure that things are working
properly.
After uploading to Gradescope, link each question with all the pages of
your pdf containing your solution. Add CSID's of group members on GradeScope after one student has made the initial submission.
As a secondary failsafe, please clearly write the CSIDs of all group members on
the first page of each submission. Do not include your names or any other
identifying information on your assignments.
Late submissions: Late homework
submissions will not be accepted, except in special situations (e.g. medical
issues).
Prerequisites
I expect you to be familiar with the following
concepts:
·
logic, proofs,
summations, binary representation and modular arithmetic from CPSC 121
o
To
review these topics, see Lehman, Leighton
and Meyer Ch 1-5, 11, 13.
o
Logic
and proofs are covered in the PLP
book.
·
data structures, sorting
and searching, asymptotic notation, trees and graphs from CPSC 221
·
algorithm analysis,
divide-and-conquer algorithms, graph searching algorithms, and asymptotic
notation from CPSC 320
·
probability
o
events,
independence, probability and its properties, conditional probabilities, random
variables, common distributions, mass functions, cumulative distribution
functions, expectation,
Regrading Requests
We do our best to grade all submissions fairly and consistently.
Because graders occasionally make mistakes, we welcome regrade requests that
help us correct such mistakes and ensure fairness. You have one week from the
time that the grades are posted to submit a regrade request on Gradescope. Please be respectful and help us ensure that
time spent on regrades is productive by following these guidelines.
The person who graded the question will review
your request, possibly with input from an instructor or other TAs. The decision of your TA or instructor is final.
It may either increase or decrease your mark. Submitting several
poorly-explained regrade requests may result in a penalty.
Academic Disconduct
See
https://www.cs.ubc.ca/students/undergrad/resources/academic-integrity