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Foundations of
Algorithms

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Staff
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Foundations of Algorithms Overview

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Getting help
Semester Two, 2021 Assessment

Checklist

Welcome!

Algorithms are FUN!!

c The University of Melbourne, 2021
Lecture slides prepared by Alistair Moffat
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Summary Foundations of
Algorithms

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Staff Critical
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Overview
Critical information
Workload

Getting help
Subject overview
Assessment

Checklist
Workload

Getting help

Assessment

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Staff in 2021s2 Foundations of
Algorithms

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Lecturers: Alistair Moffat and Artem Polyvyanyy Staff

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Overview

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Assessment

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Tutors: Alec, Alireza, Andrew, Andy, Angus, Anh, Cindy,

Hoang (Tony), Isabelle, Jack, Lucas, Luis, Qizhou (Mike),
Thomas, Tsz Kiu.

Contact information for all staff is on the LMS page.

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Getting started Foundations of
Algorithms

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information

Overview
Critical information #0: The single most important thing Workload
you have to do to get the semester off to a good start is to Getting help

make sure you have friends in the class. Assessment

Checklist

Every time you enter a room zoom over the next two weeks,
turn on your video and mike, and chat to the other members
of the group while you wait for the start of the class.
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Critical information Foundations of
Algorithms

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Critical information #1: Everything is on the LMS, including Staff

all slides and all handouts. Critical

information

Overview
All lecture content will be via pre-recorded videos, available Workload
from the start of each week. Getting help

Assessment
Informal staff consultation sessions will operate during most Checklist
scheduled lecture times. See the LMS page “Modules →
Permanent Zoom Links → Staff Consultation” for details.

The expectation will be that if you plan to ask questions, you

will have already watched the corresponding video(s). But
spectators are also welcome, or if you just feel like a chat.

The consultation sessions will not be recorded.

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Critical information Foundations of
Algorithms

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Critical information #2: Workshops will commence in Week information

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Two. There are no workshops this week.
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Workshops are either on-campus or online. Make sure you
Assessment
know which type you have registered for. See the LMS page
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“Modules → Permanent Zoom Links → Workshops” for
online access.

There will also be workshop videos released at the start of

each week (prepared by one of the tutors), plus solution
videos released at the end of each week.
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Critical information Foundations of
Algorithms

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Critical information #3: The textbook will be used Critical

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extensively, including in Workshops.
Overview

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Programming, Problem Solving, and
Getting help
Abstraction with C by Alistair Moffat
Assessment
(second edition, Pearson, 2012), on sale
Checklist
at http://booktopia.com.au for
approximately $85. An e-edition is
available from the publisher’s website for
$65, with more info at http://people.
eng.unimelb.edu.au/ammoffat/ppsaa.

You are advised to have your own copy, new or second-hand.

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Critical information Foundations of
Algorithms

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Critical information #4: Things are still challenging! information

Overview
Engagement and connectivity are going to be problems to Workload
overcome. Please make a habit of actively contributing to Getting help
online workshops, leaving your video on (put a screen behind Assessment

your chair if you don’t want your bedroom to be seen), Checklist

interacting with the tutors, and building networks with your

classmates that extend beyond the formal sessions.

And if you have registered for an in-person workshop, please

attend; make the most of the face-to-face communication.
You must QR check-in every time you enter a room.
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Subject overview Foundations of
Algorithms

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Foundations of Algorithms provides further programming, information

now using the language C, with an emphasis on fundamental Overview

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techniques and algorithms, and on software development
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skills.
Assessment

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Particular topics that will be covered include dynamic data
structures, and the algorithms that manipulate them (lists,
trees, hash tables); searching algorithms including pattern
searching; and sorting algorithms.

We go “under the hood”, and build technical understanding.

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Programming environment Foundations of
Algorithms

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You can use any C programming environment that you have Overview

access to. Workload

Getting help

In particular, you might find it convenient to start the Assessment

semester with grok, start at https://groklearning.com/. Checklist

The LMS describes how to install and use jEdit and

perform command-line compilation using gcc; both tools
that can be installed and used on any computer.
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Programming is “hands on”... Foundations of
Algorithms

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The emphasis is on you doing programming, and learning the information

necessary skills in a hands on manner. Overview

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You need to work steadily through the semester, and write Getting help

Assessment
(and execute) programs throughout. You will also need to
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develop your knowledge of both programming techniques,
and of the processes that lead to the development and
analysis of algorithms.

Programming is like driving a car, you need lots of actual

practice to become good at it.
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Classes Foundations of
Algorithms

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There will be around 150 minutes of pre-recorded lecture
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videos to watch each week. Many were recorded in 2020s2, information

but we’ll be re-doing some of them (to try and do better!) Overview

Workload

The workshops will consist of approximately one hour of Getting help

“tutorial”-style interaction, plus one hour of programming Assessment

Checklist
work. You should stay up to date, and have watched the
relevant lecture videos prior to your workshop.

You should also start working on solutions to the workshop

exercises before each class.

Consultation will be available at most of the scheduled

lecture times each week.
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Total workload Foundations of
Algorithms

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I Three to four hours watching (and perhaps re-watching information
parts of) lecture videos Overview

I Two to three hours reading the text Workload

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I Two preparation hours for the workshop.
Assessment
I Two hours attending the workshop. Checklist

I An hour of general review, perhaps in a study group.

In total, around ten to twelve hours per week per subject is

required, starting immediately.

Make a study timetable for all activities. Then follow it.

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Total workload Foundations of
Algorithms

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information

Overview

If you have outside interests (including work) that consume Workload

Getting help
more than approximately 10–12 hours per week, you are
Assessment
seriously jeopardizing your chances of passing.
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If your outside interests cannot be restricted to fewer than

12 hours per week, you should consider taking only three
subjects per semester.
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Seeking assistance Foundations of
Algorithms

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There are a range of mechanisms to use when you need help.
Overview

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I Check the LMS for general announcements. Getting help

I Search the LMS discussion for the same question. Assessment

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I Post your query to the LMS discussion forum. Read
other posts and responses while you wait for an answer.
I Ask your tutor in your workshop.
I If the issue is personal, direct email to Alistair,
ammoffat@unimelb.edu.au.
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Assessment Foundations of
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Your final mark is the combination of six components.
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Overview
Task Due Marks Workload

Quiz 1 26 Aug (Week 5) 10% Getting help

Assignment 1 17 Sep (Week 8) 20% Assessment

Quiz 2 30 Sep (Week 9) 10% Checklist

Assignment 2 15 Oct (Week 11) 20%

Examination 40%

To pass the subject as a whole you must also attain at least

24/60 (combined) in the quizzes and exam, and 16/40
(combined) in the two assignments.
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Academic honesty Foundations of
Algorithms

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All assessed work in this subject is individual. information

Overview
We run sophisticated similarity checking software over all Workload
submissions. If you are clever enough to outsmart this Getting help
software, you are also clever enough to do your own project. Assessment

Checklist

The University’s Academic Integrity policy may be applied if

duplicate work is detected. Penalties include subject failure,
or termination of enrolment.

You will be required to submit an “Authorship Declaration”

with both assignments.
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Week one checklist Foundations of
Algorithms

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Things to be done: Critical

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Overview
I Check that you can access the LMS page (if you are Workload

watching this, you can!) Getting help

Assessment
I Get hold of the textbook, Programming, Problem
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Solving, and Abstraction with C. Start reading it.
I (On Friday) Confirm your workshop time, and check the
LMS for any late messages about workshop changes.
I Most importantly, prepare to make some new friends,
get set for a great semester, and start believing that
Algorithms are Fun!!