Syllabus
Course Description
In this course, you will study a range of advanced data structures with an emphasis on an object-oriented approach. Topics include asymptotic analysis; review of lists and arrays; binary search trees; heaps and priority queues; hash tables; and other selected topics. Programming projects in this course will focus on implementation of data structures and empirical analysis of their asymptotic performance.
Objectives
Students completing this course will be able to:
- Analyze common operations performed on a variety of data structures using asymptotic and amortized analysis as appropriate.
- Perform common operations on a variety of data structures using the appropriate algorithms.
- Use, modify, and implement data structures in complex applications, including recursive solutions.
- Choose an appropriate data structure and implementation based on application requirements.
- Prove basic results regarding the running times and correctness of common operations on data structures.
Required Textbook
The textbook Data Structures and Algorithms in C++, 2nd Edition by Goodrich, Tamassia, and Mount is required. This course participates in the Course Materials Initiative, so you will receive electronic access to the textbook as a registered student.
Lectures and Readings
You are expected to attend all lectures for this course and are responsible for all material covered in class. If you should happen to miss a lecture, you are responsible for getting any missed notes or announcements from a classmate.
Schedule
The course schedule includes lecture topics, exam dates, and due dates for homework and projects.
Grading and Late Policy
Your grade in this course is based on projects, homework, and exams as follows:
| Item | Pct | Num | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project 0 | 4% | 1 | 4% |
| Projects 1 – 4 | 9% | 4 | 36% |
| Homework | 2% | 5 | 10% |
| Midterm Exams | 15% | 2 | 30% |
| Final Exam | 20% | 1 | 20% |
Letter grades will be assigned according to the usual 10-point scale.
The late policy for projects is set by the course coordintator. See the Projects & Support page for project policies and descriptions. The following policies apply to homework and exams:
- Late homework will not be accepted unless authorized in advance.
- Make-up exams will only be given for documented medical, personal, or family emergency.
Projects
See the Projects & Support site for project information.
Homework
There will be five homework assignments over the course of the semester. Unless instructed otherwise, solutions are to be typed, converted to PDF, and submitted. Failure to submit solutions in the correct format will result in point deductions; submissions will be rejected for repeat offenders.
Exams
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. Midterm exams emphasize material from the corresponding units (see the course schedule).
- Midterm Exam #1: Wednesday, March 11.
- Midterm Exam #2: Monday April 27.
The final exam will be cummulative and will include problems similar to those in the midterm exams and homework assignments as well as problems related to the projects.
- Final Exam Date & Time: Friday May 15, 1:00-3:00 PM.
Piazza
All grades and course announcements will be posted on piazza. Please contact Prof. Bargteil if you have difficulty accessing the class piazza site.
Academic Conduct Policies
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC’s scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the Academic Integrity Resources for Students page, the Faculty Handbook (Sections 14.2-14.3), or for graduate courses, the Graduate School website.
If you need help with a project or assignments, see a TA or your instructor. You are encouraged to make full use of textbooks and the course web pages.
Academic Integrity policies for projects can be found on the Projects and Support site.
Your homework submissions will be checked for similarities with all other student work. If your work is found to be “substantially similar” to that of another student, or if it is determined that someone else wrote the solutions for you, then, at a minimum, you and the other student (if applicable) will receive a grade of zero for that assignment. Furthermore, all parties concerned will have their prior homeworks re-checked for cheating. Be aware, we use an automated tool to compare projects.
If it is determined that you cheated on an exam, you will, at a minimum, receive a grade of zero for the exam.
Any second Academic Integrity incident, whether on a project, homework assignment, or exam, will result in a grade of ‘F’ for the semester.
Any act of academic misconduct will be reported to the University’s Academic Conduct Committee for further action, which may include, but is not limited to, academic suspension or dismissal from the University.
Student Disability Services (SDS)
UMBC is committed to eliminating discriminatory obstacles that may disadvantage students based on disability. Services for students with disabilities are provided for all students qualified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADAAA of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act who request and are eligible for accommodations. The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) is the UMBC department designated to coordinate accommodations that would allow students to have equal access and inclusion in all courses, programs, and activities at the University.
If you have a documented disability and need to request academic accommodations, please refer to the SDS website at sds.umbc.edu for registration information and to begin the process, or alternatively you may visit the SDS office in the Math/Psychology Building, Room 212. For questions or concerns, you may contact us through email at disAbility@umbc.edu or phone (410) 455-2459.
If you require accommodations for this class, make an appointment to meet with me to discuss your SDS-approved accommodations.
Title IX
Any student who has experienced sexual harassment or assault, relationship violence, and or staking is encouraged to seek support and resources. There are a number of resources available to you.
With that said, as an instructor, I am considered a Responsible Employee, per UMBC's Interim Policy on Prohibited Sexual Misconduct, Interpersonal Violence, and Other Related Misconduct. This means that while I am here to listen and support you, I am required to report disclosures of sexual assault, domestic violence, relationship violence, stalking, and/or gender-based harassment to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The purpose of these requirements is for the University to inform you of options, support, and resources.
You can utilize support and resources even if you do not want to take any further action.
You will not be forced to to file a police report, but please be aware, depending on the nature of the offence, the University may take action.
If you need to speak with someone in confidence about an incident, UMBC has the
following Confidential Resources available to support you:
The Counseling Center: 410-255-2742 (M-F 8:30-5)
University Health Services: 410-455-2542 (M-F 8:30-5)
For after-hours emergency consultation, cal the police at 410-455-5555
Quasi-confidention on-campus supports and resources:
The Women's Center (available to students of all genders): 410-455-2714 (M-Th 9:30-6, F 9:30-4)
Title IX Coordinator: 410-455-1606 (9-5)
Child Abuse and Neglect
Please note that Maryland law requires that I report all closure or suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Service and/or the police.