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COMP 3761
Algorithm Analysis and Design

School School of Computing and Academic Studies

Program Computing Part-time Studies

Course Credits 4

Minimum Passing Grade 50%

Start Date January 13, 2021

End Date March 31, 2021

Total Hours 48

Total Weeks 12

Hours/Weeks 4

Delivery Type Lecture/Lab

Prerequisite(s) COMP 2121 and (COMP 2522 or COMP 2526 or COMP 2613)

CRN 72095

Acknowledgement of Territories

The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional
territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓ əm
(Musqueam).

Instructor Details

Name Neilson Mackay

E-mail Instructor to provide

Location Virtual online

Office Hours Instructor to provide

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Course Description

In this hands-on course, Java programming students who have also taken Discrete Math will develop their ability to
analyze and design computer algorithms. In particular, learners will analyze the time and space complexity of programs,
solve nontrivial programming problems using algorithmic techniques, and prove that their solution is correct. The
emphasis will be on developing the practical skills of analysis and design. Topics include: evaluating time and space
complexity and designing solutions by using appropriate data structures or applying techniques such as recursion, parsing
and graph algorithms.

Course Learning Outcomes/Competencies

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Understand the basic framework of algorithm analysis.

Analyze pseudo-code using asymptotic notations.
Compare the order of growth of different algorithms.
Understand the differences between nonrecursive and recursive algorithms.
Describe some common algorithm design strategies: Divide and Conquer, Transform and Conquer, Greedy
Technique, Graph Algorithm, dynamic programming, etc.
Recognize different types of computing problems and how to solve them.
Apply algorithm design techniques to solve some practical problems.
Specify algorithms in pseudocode.
Implement solutions by using appropriate data structures.
Deduce the complexity of a program by running different experiments.
Argue the correctness of the algorithms.
Find lower bounds for some simple problems.

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Learning Resources

Text: Introduction to the Design & Analysis of Algorithms, 3rd Edition

Author: Anany Levitin
ISBN-10: 0132316811
ISBN-13: 978-0132316811

ONLINE: This course uses the Learning Hub online system. Students must access this system regularly for
announcements and learner support.

Course Goals

To analyze and design computer algorithms to solve programming problems

To implement common data structures.
To describe, implement and use common data structures and algorithms.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria % Comments

Lab 25
Assignments Weekly assignments, 9 lab assignments in total

All lab assignments must be completed in order to pass this course.

Quizzes 20 Biweekly, 4 quizzes in total

Midterm Exam 25 You must average 50% or higher between the Midterm and Final Exam in order to pass
this course.

Final Exam 30 You must average 50% or higher between the Midterm and Final Exam in order to pass
this course.

Total 100

Assignments are to be completed by each student on an individual basis unless stated otherwise.

Assignments must be submitted to the Learning Hub (D2L) prior to the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Emailed and/or in-person submissions will not be accepted.

Note: the passing grade in this course is 50%. Students who earn less than 50% on the midterm exam and less than 50%
on the final exam will be assigned a failing grade in the course.

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated.

Students are encouraged to work in groups to develop peer to peer communication and support. However each
student must complete and submit their own individual work (not copies of the same assignment) and not material

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found online or recycled from other courses. Assignments and labs are to be completed by each student on an
individual basis unless stated otherwise.

Academic misconduct includes providing solutions to other students.

Students who cheat or enable other students to cheat will be documented. Any subsequent instances of academic
misconduct will meet with harsher penalties. Penalties include being dropped with no refund and failing the course
and/or being indefinitely removed from the program

Academic Integrity:

Violation of academic integrity, including plagiarism, dishonesty in assignments, examinations, or other academic
performances are prohibited and will be handled in accordance with Policy 5104 - Academic Integrity and
Appeals, and accompanying procedures.

Attendance Requirements

Please play this short video before the second lesson; Welcome to Computing PTS

Note: By attending this course you agree to read the Computing PTS Student Guide and you are aware of the
department policies, deadlines and who to contact.

Computing PTS Attendance Policy

Attendance in lectures is mandatory.

In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with
his/her Instructor indicating the reason for the absence.

Prolonged illness which causes the student to miss 20% or more of the lessons will require a BCIT-approved
medical certificate submitted to the department, substantiating the reason for the absence.

Excessive absence of 20% or more may result in failure or forced withdrawal from this course.

Course Specific Requirements

COMP 2121 and (COMP 2526 or COMP 2613) Or prior understanding of both Discrete Mathematics and Java
Programming

NOTE:

CST Diploma day school students must have passed COMP 2121 and COMP 2526 before starting this course.

All students must provide their own current model PC desktop or laptop with a web cam, a microphone and have
high speed internet access. BCIT does not provide technical support for student’s devices.
Courses will be delivered in real time and may use two-way audio and video as well as group work.

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All students must be computer literate and be able to log in during regular scheduled class hours in order to
participate and complete this course.

Other information

BCIT Computer Use Guidelines

BCIT Computing students are expected to use BCIT resources in both a professional and ethical manner. When using
BCIT computer resources, some specific expectations include:

Respect others. Do not download, view, or distribute inappropriate or offensive material.

Respect copyright. Do not download or share any unauthorized materials (e.g. music, movies, games and software).
Respect our vendor software agreements. Do not download products which are not used in your specific courses
(we have tracking mechanisms in place). It is each student's responsibility to remove vendor provided software
when the course ends.
Respect confidentiality. Do not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any account, system, data. Do not attempt to
bypass any protective mechanism or attempt unauthorized access or alteration of BCIT data.
Respect availability. Do not engage in any denial of service activity or take actions that will degrade the use of
BCIT or other resources. Only use BCIT resources for your BCIT course work.

Please read BCIT policies 3501 Acceptable Use of Information Technology and 3502 Information Security.

Please understand that consequences of policy violation could result in loss of access to BCIT resources and / or removal
from classes.

Course Schedule and Assignments

Week of Material Covered References / Reading Assignment

1 Course Introduction 1.1, 1.4

Algorithmic Efficiency 2.1, 2.3

Orders of Growth

2 Brute Force 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 - Assign 1

Exhaustive Search

3 Decrease and Conquer 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 - Assign 2

- Quiz 1

4 Divide and Conquer 5.1, 5.2, 5.4 - Assign 3

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5 Transform and Conquer 6.1, 6.4 - Assign 4

- Quiz 2

6 Space/Time Trade-offs 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 - Assign 5

7 Midterm - -

NOTE: Course Withdrawal Deadline

Please inform your instructor that you are dropping this course. You must also fill out and submit the 'REQUEST
TO WITHDRAW FROM A PART-TIME STUDIES COURSE' before week 8 or else you will receive a failing grade
on your academic record.

8 Data Structures and Graph 1.4, 3.5 - Assign 6

- Quiz 3

9 Graph Algorithms 3.5, 4.2, 5.3 - Assign 7

10 The Greedy Technique 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 - Assign 8

- Quiz 4

Course Evaluation: To be conducted online during Week 11 prior to the class break.
Students will have previously received a link to the survey via their myBCIT email. Those who do not have the link in
their myBCIT email cannot complete this online evaluation.

If you did not receive the link please email: [email protected] at least 48 hours before week 11. Your instructor
will leave the room for 15 minutes while each student logs in and completes this anonymous course evaluation.

11 Dynamic Programming, Final Review, Course 8.1, 8.2, 8.4 - Assign 9

Evaluation

12 Final Exam -

This schedule is tentative and subject to change; certain topics will take longer/shorter to cover in response to the needs
of the students.

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BCIT Policy

Any student who needs special assistance in the event of a medical emergency or building evacuation (either because of a
disability or for any other reason) should promptly inform their course instructor(s) and Accessibility Services of their
personal circumstances.

Human Rights, Harassment and Discrimination:

The BCIT community is made up of individuals from every ability, background, experience and identity, each contributing
uniquely to the richness and diversity of the BCIT community as a whole. In recognition of this, and the intrinsic value of
our diversity, BCIT seeks to foster a climate of collaboration, understanding and mutual respect between all members of
the community and ensure an inclusive accessible working and learning environment where everyone can succeed.

Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion is a supportive resource for both students and employees of BCIT, to foster a respectful
learning and working environment. Any student who feels that they are experiencing discrimination or harassment
(personal or human rights-related) can confidentially access this resource for advice and support. Please see Policy 7507
– Harassment and Discrimination and accompanying procedure.

Students should make themselves aware of additional Education, Administration, Safety and other BCIT policies listed at
https://www.bcit.ca/about/administration/policies.shtml

Guidelines for School of Computing and Academic Studies

Attempts:
Students must successfully complete a course within a maximum of three (3) attempts at the course. Students with two
attempts in a single course will be allowed to repeat the course only upon special written permission from the Associate
Dean. Students who have not successfully completed a course within three attempts will not be eligible to graduate from
their respective program.

Approved

I verify that the content of this course outline is current.

Neilson Mackay, Instructor
January 11, 2021

I verify that this course outline has been reviewed.

Kevin Cudihee, Program Head
January 11, 2021

I verify that this course outline has been reviewed and complies with BCIT policy.
Aaron Hunter, Acting Associate Dean
January 11, 2021

Note: Should changes be required to the content of this course outline, students will be given reasonable notice.

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