Course information


  • Description:  Introduction to the design and analysis of efficient algorithms. Topics include models of  computation, efficient sorting and searching, algorithms for algebraic problems, graph algorithms, dynamic programming, probabilistic methods, approximation algorithms, and  NP-completeness.
  • Credits: 3.0
  • Prerequisites: COMS W3139 and W3203.
  • For: Undergraduate, Masters, Professional, PhD
  • Instructor:
    • Name: Prof. Cliff Stein
    • Office: 326 Mudd
    • Phone: 212-854-5238
    • Email: cliff@ieor.columbia.edu
    • Office hours: Th 11-12, and by appointment.
  • Teaching Assistants:
    • Name:  Sharath Gururaj
    • Office:  122A Mudd
    • Phone:
    • Email:  sa2617 'at' columbia.edu
    • Office hours:  Tue 10am-12pm & Thu 6-8pm
    • Name:  Xiangrong Kong
    • Office:  122A Mudd
    • Email:  xk2107 'at' columbia.edu
    • Office hours:  Wed 4-6pm
    • Name:  Chase Hensel
    • Office:  122A Mudd
    • Phone:
    • Email:  cmh2135 'at' columbia.edu
    • Office hours:  Thu 12-2pm
    • Name:  Karthik Ramasamy
    • Office:  122A Mudd
    • Phone:
    • Email:  km2580 'at' columbia.edu
    • Office hours:  Mon 1-3pm & Fri 11am-1pm
  • Time: T Th 4:10-5:25
  • Location: 535 Mudd
  • Textbook:  Introduction to Algorithms (Third Edition), by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Cliff Stein.
  • Exams:  There will be one take-home midterm, and an in-class final exam. The exams must be done entirely by yourselves. The midterm may be followed up by an oral defense of the work.
  • Grading:  
    • Homeworks: 30% (Details on homework grading are here.)
    • Midterm exam: 35%
    • Final exam : 35% 
  • Getting help: You can get help in the course by:
    • Visiting the instructors or TAs in their office hours
    • Emailing the instructors or TAs
  • Students with Disabilites:
    We encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities such as chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with the instructors any appropriate accommodations that we might make on their behalf.

Announcements


  • Textbook has been updated to 3rd edition.
  • HW 7 is due on Monday, December 14 at 5PM.
  • Review session, Wednesday, December 16, 10AM, 303 Mudd
  • Office hours: Tuesday, December 15, 2:15-3:15PM; Friday, December 18, 11-12AM

Materials