Math 140: Data Structures and Algorithms

COURSE INFORMATION - Spring 2015
(Additional Docs and Calendar at bsmith/m140/)

Course Description

This course uses the Java programming language to introduce the fundamental concepts of data structures and the algorithms that proceed from them. Includes recursion, object-oriented programming, fundamental data structures (including stacks, queues, linked-lists, hash tables, trees, and graphs), and the basics of algorithm analysis. Examines implementation and analysis of sorting and searching algorithms.

Instructor

Bruce Smith, 421-6700, x5291, room 390d, bsmith [AT] swccd [DOT] edu

Office Hrs

Meeting Times

Lecture: Tue, Thu 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm, Room 394
Lab: Tue, Thu 1:25 pm - 2:40 pm, Room 394

Course Calendar

Calendar

Final Exam

May 26, 2015 (Tue), 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Class Webpage

Grades, assignments, this document, and additional useful information can be found at http://swccd.blackboard.com (Blackboard)

Course Prerequisite

A grade of "C" or higher in Math 130 (Introduction to Computer Programming) or equivalent.

Textbooks and Materials

Required:   Algorithms (4th Edition)   by Robert Sedgewick ISBN: 978-0321573513.  
We will also reference the supporting website for this book, 4th edition, located at www.cs.princeton.edu/algs4/home/
Use of a USB Flash Drive or some other external storage is encouraged.

Library Reserve

Data Structures and Algorithms in Java, by Goodrich and Tamassia, 3rd ed.
Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson, and Rivest

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of Math 140, the student should be able to 1) describe problem requirements and employ correct programming constructs and syntax to create a working solution, and 2) identify necessary data structures and existing algorithms to be used in solving programming related problems.

Evaluation Policy

40% Quizzes (~7)
20% Projects (~6)
20% Midterm (1)
20% Final Exam [ May 26, 2015 (Tue), 10:30 am - 12:30 pm]
----
100%

Course Objectives

1. Student will contrast, select, and implement the proper data structure for a given application.
2. Student will use the principles of program verification to debug, upgrade, and maintain programs.
3. Student will analyze an algorithm's correctness and efficiency.
4. Student will describe and illustrate the concept of recursion.
5. Student will define the divide-and-conquer approach.
6. Student will describe how recursion can be implemented using a stack.
7. Student will discuss problems for which backtracking is an appropriate solution.
8. Student will explain the difference between event-driven programming and command-line programming.
9. Student will produce and demonstrate software that responds to exceptions raised during execution.
10. Student will describe how the computer system uses activation records to manage program modules and their data.
11. Student will describe how the class mechanism supports encapsulation and information hiding.
12. Student will design and demonstrate the implementation of "is-a" relationships among objects using a class hierarchy and inheritance.
13. Student will apply polymorphism using interfaces and abstract functions.
14. Student will describe how iterators access the elements of a container.
15. Student will design and demonstrate an appropriate hashing function for an application.
16. Student will describe the efficiency considerations for sorting, searching, and hashing algorithms..

Important Dates

• add classes
• withdraw from full-semester classes and qualify for a full refund;
• get a refund for Student Activities stickers, and

• Feb 8: Last day to withdraw from a class without receiving a "W" grade
  
• Apr 17: Last day to withdraw from full-semester courses and receive a "W" grade.
• May 21: No classes; Faculty Flex Day
• May 22 - 29: Finals Week

Holidays

• Feb 13 (F): Lincoln's Birthday
• Feb 16 (M): Washington's Birthday
• Mar 31 (M): Cesar Chavez's Day
• Apr 3 (F): Good Friday
• Mar 30 - Apr 5: Spring Break
• May 26: Memorial Day

Make-ups

No make-up exams will be given without prior consent of the instructor. Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled, college extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation.

Grade Scale

A: 100% - 90%
B: 89% - 80%
C: 79% - 70%
D: 69% - 60%
F: 59% - and below

Class Policies

No food or drinks allowed in the classroom (water bottles OK). Please switch all cell phones either off or to silent mode. No children or other visitors unless prior permission is obtained.

Attendance

Each student is expected to attend every class meeting. In the case of absence, it is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor.

• Mandatory First Day of Class: Instructors must drop any student who fails to attend the first class meeting if the class is at maximum enrollment and other students are waiting to enroll, unless the student notifies the instructor in advance.
• Dropping for Absences: Per SWCCD Policy 5075, instructors may drop a student from a class if the student's total hours of absences exceeds twice the number of lecture hour equivalent units (LHE) for the class. For example, if this is a 4-unit (4 LHE) class, when you have more than eight hours of absences, you will be dropped and receive a "W" or an"F" depending the date dropped.
• Dropping for Tardiness: A tardy is defined as arriving after the start time up to 10 minutes late. If you are more than 10 minutes late, this will count as an absence. Two (2) tardies will count as one (1) absence. This tardy policy also applies to students leaving before the end of class or returning late from a break. The tardy policy will begin after the end of the add period. Dropping students for being tardy will be in accordance with SWCCD Policy 5075 stated above. Arriving late or leaving early is a problem for both the students and the instructor. Students are expected to be in class for the entire class period.
• Late Adds: After the add period concludes, a student may add classes only: 1) If the instructor certifies that the student has been in attendance during the add period. 2) Submits a Late Add Form to the School Dean. 3) Receives the approval of the School Dean. 4) Submits approved form to Admissions and Records. No Late Adds after the 3rd week.
• If an add code is given at the start of the semester, it must be used within 24 hours of receipt, at which point the code can be assigned to someone else.

Tutorial Services

The Math Center (Room 426) offers free drop-in tutoring and tutorials on computer. Check with the Center for hours of operation. The Academic Success Center (ASC) offers math videos and free tutoring by appointment. Check for hours of operation

Students with Disabilities

Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities or specific learning needs contact their professors during the first two weeks of class to discuss academic accommodations. If a student believes they may have a disability and would like more information, they are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at (619) 482-6512 (voice), (619) 207-4480 (video phone), or email at DSS@swccd.edu. Alternate forms of this syllabus and other course materials are available upon request.

Academic Success Center Referral

Services are located in the ASC (420), the Writing Center (420D), the Reading Center (420), Math Center (426), the Library/LRC Interdisciplinary Tutoring Lab, MESA, specialized on-campus School tutoring labs, the Higher Education Center, and the San Ysidro Education Center. Online learning materials and Online Writing Lab (OWL) are available online at swccd.edu/~asc .

Misconduct

Faculty may require a student who disrupts the classroom to meet with the Dean of MSE prior to the next class meeting. Also, instructors may exclude a student for misconduct on the day of the disruption, and an additional day if needed. Further disciplinary action may be pursued by the instructor or college administration.

Misconduct includes the following:

• Academic cheating and plagiarism:
  • Academic dishonesty of any type by a student provides grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. In written work, no material may be copied from another without proper quotation marks, footnotes, or appropriate documentation.  Students (both the giver and the receiver) involved in cheating and/or plagiarism will receive a zero (failing) grade on the assignment (this assignment cannot be dropped) and, at the discretion of the instructor, earn a failing grade in the class. Academic dishonesty of any type such as cheating and plagiarism can result in one or all of the following: a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in the class, and/or formal disciplinary action by the college.
• Disruption of instructional activities or administrative procedures.
  • Continued disruptive behavior, continued willful disobedience,
  • habitual profanity or vulgarity, or the open and persistent abuse of college personnel.
  • Use, sale, or possession on campus, or campus premises under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, other hallucinogenic drugs or substances, or any poison classified as such by schedule "D" in section 4160 of the Business and Professions Code.
  • Alteration or misuse of college documents, including acts of forgery and furnishing false information.
  • Acts or threats of damage to or theft of property belonging to or located on college-controlled property or facilities.
  • Act or threat of physical abuse of any person. Assault or battery upon any student, college personnel, authorized college guest, or any other person.
  • Violation of college regulations or state laws.
  • Additionally, please review course catalog (swccd.edu/Catalog/), or Southwestern Community College District Procedure No. 5550 for more information.

Disciplinary Action Procedures

• When a student conduct violation has occurred, the first attempt to resolve the misconduct will be an informal consultation between the student and the instructor (or college staff member).
• If the situation is unresolved, the Dean will meet with the instructor and the student(s) involved.
• If the situation remains unresolved, the instructor will complete a "Report of Student Misconduct" and file the report with the Dean of Student Services.
• In situations involving safety or if the College Police have become involved, steps 1 and 2 need not be adhered to.