---
title: "Course Introduction"
format:
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    toc: true
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---

[In-class notes](hand_written_notes/intro.pdf)

## Today's Information

### Learning Goals for Today

- Define Algorithms
- Understand course structure
- Brainstorm group and learning strategies

### Announcements/Logistics

- Apply to do research with CS profs in the summer: 
	- Fill out application at [go/cs_summer_research](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGukYaUBHg4ngFvSvaAR7IorsSK6z36ND4iEqlfuXOHlt0xg/viewform)
	- E-mail profs to set up a time to talk to them about their research
	- Office hours (this week only), Th 2:30-4pm, Fr 9-10:30
- Upcoming assignments
	- [Getting to know you quiz](https://middlebury.instructure.com/courses/14189/quizzes/32848) (due **today**)
	- [PSet Rough Draft](https://middlebury.instructure.com/courses/14189/assignments/255304) (due Thursday)
	- [Participation Check-in](https://middlebury.instructure.com/courses/14189/assignments/257121)
- Suggested Deadline Schedule
	
	| Monday | Thursday |
	| ------ | -------- |
	| pset | pset rough draft|
	|participation check-in | pset self-assessment|
	| | quiz|

- Tutoring hours??

## What is an algorithm?

**Definition:** An algorithms is a finite, clearly defined sequence of instructions for carrying out a task.

Which of the following are algorithms?

A) ```
Go to Cambridge
```

A) ```java
int i=1;
while(i<5){
	i=i+1;
}
```

A)
> function Fib($i$)
>
>> Input: integer $i: i\geq 0$
>>
>> Output: $i^{\textrm{th}}$ Fibonacci number
>
> If $i\in \{0,1\}$, then return $i$
>
> Return Fib($i-1$)+Fib($i-2$)
>

A) ```java
public static void fun(int j){
	int k=1;
	k++;
}
```

## Plan for the Semester

We will look at 3 paradigms for designing algorithms:

* Divide and Conquer
* Greedy
* Dynamic Programming

For each algorithm, we will do the following:

* Describe using pseudocode and/or java
* Prove correctness
* Analyze the asymptotic runtime
* Consider ethical implications of implementing in a particular domain

We will also study NP-completeness, which is a particular way of trying to understand and compare the difficulty of problems

### Learning and Collaborating
The first learning goal of the course has nothing to do with algorithms:

> Develop strategies to become a better learner and collaborator.
>

#### Learning

Think of something you are good at. How did you get good at it? Did you ever make mistakes? What did you do when you made a mistake?

Because learning is a process, and mistakes are one of the best ways to learn, I give you lots of opportunities to make mistakes:

- Problem sets are graded on effort, not correctness
- Quizzes and exams have unlimited revisions and credit/no-credit grading

#### Group Work

We will do group problem solving in class almost every period. This will help you learn course content

- by trying to explain your thinking to others
- by asking questions
- by making mistakes
It will also help you to learn to be a better team member and to meet lots of other cool CS students! I will always provide the solution in class after you've had a chance to work on it in groups.

In groups we are going to brainstorm ways to manage challenges that arise in group work.

See 
 
- [go/CS302A_groups](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ID53Xfdt1FqBjlVwRLkW2VPYwQm_j8TCSRzEGv4RT1I/edit?pli=1#heading=h.r32eeg1akgfx)
- [go/CS302B-groups](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VXEKL1niznMRLrr4S1Xw9erWxgy-IRfH7n4fjXKvZk4/edit#heading=h.r32eeg1akgfx)