How to Succeed in CS 483
  • Be oriented and motivated:

    • A recurring theme of this course is explaining how its somewhat abstract material turns out to be highly useful in the real world.
    • Algorithms capture fundamental ideas of computational systems. This course will expand your knowledge of key existing algorithms and enhance your ability to create new ones that are both correct and efficient.
    • Although there is no programming (in this section), the course is in some ways more demanding than other advanced CS courses. You should expect to spend 10-15 hours per week studying and re-studying the material.
  • Before each class:

    • Read the assigned material, including the chapter introduction.
    • Take notes on key points.
    • Read and think about the recommended problems.
    • If something confuses you, try to formulate a question in writing and ask it in class.
  • In class:

    • Sit close enough to see and hear; let the instructor know if you can't.
    • Try to balance listening and note-taking.
    • Take note at least of what topics are covered.
    • Have your mind in active mode, ready to ask and answer questions.

  • After class and studying for quizzes:

    • Topics selected for class may indicate what the instructor thinks is important.
    • Summarize paragraphs, algorithms and chapter sections in your own words.
    • For each definition, write it down without looking at the book, then check; repeat if necessary.
    • Examples are especially valuable. Each one is, in effect, a worked-out problem. See "Testing yourself."
    • Each multi-part figure that shows the sequence of effects of an algorithm is valuable in the same way as an example. See "Testing yourself."
    • For almost every recommended problem there is a partial solution or substantial hint on the web. See "Testing yourself."

  • Testing yourself: For each example, exercise and algorithm figure, read it, copy it down and carry out the following steps as often as you need to.

    • Try to solve it yourself.
    • Compare your work to what was done in the book or on the website.
    • Study any discrepancies. If they are significant, repeat the process.

  • For the midterm and final:

    • See "After class and studying for quizzes" as well as "Testing yourself."
    • Do a good job on your note sheets (1 for the midterm, 2 for the final).
    • The note sheets are not a substitute for knowledge. For them to really help, you will have to understand what you have written and adapt it to the actual exam questions.
    • The process of selecting what to put on the note sheets is intended to be a useful learning experience.

  • If you are having difficulty, get help early.

    • If it concerns particular subject matter, another student or the TA, as well as the instructor, may be able to help.
    • If it goes beyond that, see the instructor while there is still time to deal with it.