CSCI 256: Algorithm Design and Analysis

Fall 2019

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Assignment Expectations and Instructions

There will be weekly problem sets (which may include occasional small programs). Planned problem set release and the due dates are listed on the course schedule, the links to actual assignments will be posted on the schedule as well. Any adjustments to the due dates will be announced in class. Please read this page in its entirety for information about what is expected from you with respect to the problem sets.

You are expected to answer all questions, except for those labeled "optional." A good attempt at a problem, stating your approach and where you got stuck, is much better (both grade-wise and for learning) than leaving it blank. Most problems will usually require either a proof or a counter-example.

Written Proofs. The presentation style of your proofs should be modeled on the proofs given in the textbook. The proofs we will do during lectures, will usually be interactive and focused more on providing intuition than serving as a model for written proofs. Visualizations (graphs, diagrams, etc) are encouraged and are an effective methods of clarifying a concept. However, they generally do not themselves constitute a proof.

Preparation and Submission. You must follow the instructions below for preparing and submitting your problem sets.

• All assignments must be submitted through Gradescope. All students must sign up on Gradescope using the course code 96XGZV. Gradescope not only helps streamline the process of submission, grading and returning graded, it is also useful in implementing practices like anonymous grading.
• All assignments must be submitted in PDF format and must be typeset using LaTeX. LaTeX is the most widely used tool to professionally typeset mathematical content, proofs, conference and journal papers, etc. It is installed on all CS lab machines (both OS X and Unix) and is freely available for all major operating systems, as well as in browser-based platforms such as Overleaf.
Resources to get stated in and master LaTeX are listed on the Resources page.
• You must use the LaTeX template provided as part of each problem set. This template ensures that your PDF is handled correctly by Gradescope.
• For figures, graphs or other illustrations, you may use any graphics generation tool of your liking. Some examples are GraphViz, Powerpoint, Keynote, Inkscape, etc. Neat and properly scanned hand drawn figures are also allowed.
• All problem sets are due at 9pm on the due date unless otherwise stated.

Why handwritten problem sets are not accepted. A large fraction of handwritten solutions, especially including mathematical content as in this course, are difficult (sometimes impossible) to read, which can dramatically increase the amount of time needed to grade them. Secondly, handwritten problem sets make it difficult to implement anonymous grading as handwriting can often reveal the student's identity. By submitting typeset assignment, without student information, through Gradescope, the TAs and instructor will be unlikely to know whose work they are grading.

Sample Solutions. Sample solutions to problem sets will be provided through GLOW and represent a particular approach to solving a problem; it may not be the only (or even the best) approach. Typically there are several ways to solve a problem and creativity is encouraged, unless the problem states that a specific approach must be used (for example, "Design a greedy algorithm to ..." would require that the solution be a greedy algorithm).