Students taking CMSC 441 should have mastered the material covered in the following courses: CMSC 203 (Discrete Structures), CMSC 341 (Data Structures) and MATH 152 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry II). The material in Appendix B, Chapter 10 and Chapter 12 of the textbook (covering sets, elementary data structures and binary search trees) should be familiar. Some knowledge of probability and counting (Appendix C of the textbook) is also expected. Students must be able to understand and be able to write proofs by induction. In addition, proficiency in the implementation of the elementary data structures (e.g. stacks, queues, linked lists, heaps and balanced binary trees) in C/C++ or Java is assumed.
In this course students will
The syllabus lists 13 homework assignments and 6 quizzes. However, if a homework assignment or quiz is canceled and not made up (e.g., because UMBC is closed for snow or hurricane), the proportion of the final grade from homework, quizzes and the final exam will remain the same. That is, homework will still count for 26% of the final grade and quizzes 45% (each homework or quiz will have greater weight).
Homework (13) 26% Quizzes (6) 45% Classwork (20/23) 5% Final Exam (1) 24%
The final letter grades are based on the standard formula:
0 ≤ F < 60, 60 ≤ D < 70, 70 ≤ C < 80, 80 ≤ B < 90, 90 ≤ A ≤ 100
Grades will not be "curved" — that is, the percentages of A's, B's and C's are not fixed. However, depending upon the distribution of grades in the class, there may be adjustments in the students' favor, but under no circumstances will the letter grades be lower than in the standard formula. As a guideline, a student receiving an A should be able to solve the homework problems with facility; design and analyze new algorithms in written exams; and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of theoretical analysis in practical programming settings.
Grades are given for work done during the semester; incomplete grades will only be given for medical illness or other such dire circumstances. In particular, taking a heavy course load is not a legitimate excuse for receiving an incomplete.
Each quiz will consist of one or two questions (possibly with multiple parts) on pre-announced topics. The questions will require students to solve new problems (i.e., not simply regurgitate of facts). In order to do well in these quizzes, students must be able to do the types of questions assigned for homework — without help from others or from the internet.
Section 01: Thu 12/12, 10:30am – 12:30pm, SOND 203There are no midterm exams.
Section 02: Tue 12/17, 10:30am – 12:30pm, ITE 233
The purpose of the lectures is to explain the parts of the reading that are difficult to understand. Lectures do not replace the reading. Lectures will be a mix of prepared slides and presentations on the white/blackboard. Students will need to take notes and read the textbook. The slides are not a transcript of the lecture.
Three times during the semester, students will be allowed to submit a late homework assignment without excuse and without penalty one lecture late (e.g., homework due on Thursday maybe submitted in class the next Tuesday). One full-credit unexcused late assignment will be accepted for Homework 1-5, one for Homework 6-9 and another for Homework 10-13. This late policy allows students to juggle due dates from other classes and deal with life issues such as colds, cars that won't start, etc. Students do not accrue any credit for submitting homework assignments on time. For example, a student who submitted Homework 1-9 on time, can still only turn in one of Homework 10-13 late.
Unexcused late homework not covered by the policy above may be submitted up to two weeks late (but no later than the final exam) for 50% credit.
All homework must be submitted on paper, in person, in class. Do not submit homework by email. Do not submit homework for an absent student.
Please submit late homework separately from on-time homework.
Finally, looking up the solutions to homework problems completely defeats the purpose of homework assignments, which is to train a student's mind to think. Students who bypass this training will do poorly in the quizzes and in the final exam. The primary purpose of homework is not to obtain the correct solution — it is to practice thinking.
The UMBC academic integrity policy is available at: https://tinyurl.com/yd26tx2d
There are confidential resources available to the UMBC community. Conversations with these Confidential Resources will remain confidential, except, when there is clear and imminent danger that someone's life is at risk, there is apparent or suspected abuse of a child or dependent adult; or there is a legal obligation to reveal such information under enforceable court order. Confidential sources at UMBC include:
Students can utilize support from these resources even if they do not want to take any further action. Students will not be forced to file a police report, but, depending on the nature of the offense, the University may take action.
In cases of emergency, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.
Complete UMBC policies and procedures are available here:
https://humanrelations.umbc.edu/sexual-misconduct/policies-and-procedures/
Back to Fall 2019 CMSC 441 Sections 01 & 02 Homepage