Mathematical analysis of a variety of computer algorithms including searching, sorting, matrix multiplication, fast Fourier transform, and graph algorithms. Time and space complexity. Upper-bound, lower- bound, and average-case analysis. Introduction to NP completeness. Some machine computation is required for the implementation and comparison of algorithms. This course is offered as CSE 373 and MAT 373.
Prerequisite
C or higher in MAT 211 or AMS 210; CSE 214 or CSE 260
Course Outcomes
Ability to perform worst-case asymptotic algorithm analysis
Ability to define and use classical combinatorial algorithms for problems such as sorting, shortest paths and minimum spanning trees
Knowledge of computational intractability and NP completeness
Textbook
Steven Skiena, The Algorithm Design Manual, second edition, Springer-Verlag, 2008.
Data Structures: Review of elementary data structures (stacks/queues), dictionary data structures such as binary search trees, priority queues such as heaps, (1.5 weeks)
Sorting: Algorithmic applications of sorting, analysis of quicksort, mergesort, and heapsort, distribution/radix sorting, lower bounds, (1.5 weeks)
Problem Decomposition Algorithms: Dynamic programming (edit distance, chain matrix multiplication), divide-and-conquer algorithms (binary search and variants), (1.5 weeks)