CPSC 436R (Randomized Algorithms)

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.

Prior to making a regrade request, make sure you understand the solution to the problem, and read any comments provided on Gradescope or Piazza about how the problem was graded. If you don't understand what's missing from your answer, come see one of us during office hours before submitting a regrade request.
Explain clearly and specifically why you believe your mark is inappropriate, referring to your solution, and the rubric. Good examples: "I lost a point for not initializing my table entries, but I initialize them in line 6." Or, "My solution is quite different from the one in the sample solution, but I'm confident that my approach also works for the following reason..."
Don't submit a request because you think the rubric is unfair, or if you disagree with a judgment call of the grader. A bad example that disputes the rubric is: "I lost a mark for not justifying my answer, but I didn't think I needed to justify my answer, and I don't feel I should be penalized." A bad example that disputes a judgment is: "I should get 'minor errors (-0.5 points)' instead of 'significant errors (-2 points)'." An example that is not sufficiently specific is: "My friend gave basically the same answer and got a higher grade."

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