• Who is my professor? My name is (Dr.) Raven Russell, I have a PhD in Computer Science (specifically in large scale information-centric networks in delay- and disruption-tolerant environments). I also worked in industry for about a decade. So feel free to come talk to me about industry (or grad school) if you're interested.
• What is your contact information All CS faculty have contact information on the Faculty Page of the CS Website
• How should I contact you (and TAs)? See section below on "Course Material and Communication" below.

• What book will we use? Kleinberg and Tardos, Algorithm Design, 2005. ISBN: 9780321295354
• Is the book really required? Yes. Reading will be a substantial part of this class.
• Where can I get the textbook? The university bookstore should have the book, but it's also available new, used, and for rent from most major booksellers.
• When should I read the book? Everyone's learning style is different, so some may prefer to read the book first then come to lecture, while others may prefer to hear the lecture and then read afterwards. This is entirely your choice, but you do need to read as it is an integral part of the course and important for fully understanding the class material.
• I have difficulty learning from written material, what should I do? If you find you have difficulty reading the textbook for some reason, please come talk to me! There are likely strategies that can make it easier (and even more enjoyable). Learning from written material is an important skill for all engineers, scientists, and programmers.

All Classes:

• What type of computer do I need? You will need a computer with some modern operating system capable of running a Java compiler (for Java 1.9 or higher, the latest stable version of OpenJDK is preferred).
• What if I don't have a computer? There are open computer labs on campus, these are free for students but you'll need to check the Java version. There are "portable" versions of the JDK you can put on a thumb drive (such as those available here: https://portableapps.com/apps), which may be helpful.
• What if we need to move online? At the moment I do not foresee any movement back to all-online learning. However, just in case, everyone should be prepared to move online if the semester requires it. So please read the software/hardware requirements for online classes below.

Online and Hybrid Classes:

• Where will we meet? We will use either Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom for the class meetings.
• Are there additional computer requirements? You will need a stable broadband Internet connection (fast enough to stream video+audio presentations while running other applications). You will also need a functional camera and microphone.

• What classes do I need to have taken? The formal prerequisites of this class are a C or better in: CS310 and CS330. More generally, you will be using knowledge introduced in a Formal Methods and Models course (such as CS 330) and by extension Discrete Mathematics (in Math 125). You also need knowledge gained from a Data Structures course (such as CS 310) and by extension multiple programming courses (such as CS 112 and CS 211).
• What specific information from those classes do I need? Below is a list of many (but not all) topics which may be "coming back to haunt you":
  • Programming - Programming Logic, Recursion, Searching, Sorting, Big-O Analysis
  • Discrete Math - Proof Techniques, Mathematical Induction, Sets, Graphs, Trees, Recursion, Enumeration
  • Formal Methods and Models - Logic, Proofs, Mathematical Induction, Program Verification, Computability
  • Data Structures - Big-O Analysis, Lists, Stacks, Queues, Sets and Maps, Hash Tables, Trees, Search Trees, Priority Queues, Heaps, Graphs

• What will we cover? The course schedule (on Piazza) has a more detailed list, but below is a tentative overview of what will be covered:
  • Introductory and Review Material (ch 1-3)
  • Algorithm Design and Advanced Analysis Techniques (throughout the course, but esp. in ch 2 and 4-6)
  • Basic and Advanced Graph Algorithms (throughout the course, but esp. in ch 3, 6, and 7)
  • NP-completeness and Computational Intractability (ch 8-9)
  • Advanced Topics (Time Permitting): Randomized Algorithms, Approximation Algorithms, PSPACE, etc.
• What will I be able to do after taking this class? The formal course outcomes are as follows:
  At the end of the course, students will be able to...
  • Understand classical problems in Computer Science
  • Understand classical algorithm design and analysis strategies
  • Analyze the computability of a problem
  • Design and analyze new algorithms to solve a computational problem
  • Reason algorithmically

• Where can I find the course material? The majority of course information and material will be available on Piazza (access code is "banana"), including TA contact and office hour information. You will need to read Piazza for clarifications and homework information/updates.
• Where can I find my grades? Grades and other private information will be on Blackboard and/or GradeScope.
• Where will you put announcements? ASome announcements and reminders will be posted on Piazza for access links). But often announcements will be made at the beginning of class. If you miss the start of class, make sure to get the information from a friend or ask after class!
• Where/when can I ask questions? Most questions should be answerable in, before, or after class, however the GTAs and I will have some additional office hours for questions and course help, and Piazza is available 24-7 for asynchronous help.
• Should/can I email you? Definitely email me for any personal issues such as medical situations, disability accommodations, etc. Due to the size of the class, please do not e-mail me (or any course staff) about homework problems, use office hours and Piazza for that!
• Is there a week-by-week schedule? Yes, this is on Piazza. Go to our class, the "Resources" page, click the "Resources" tab, and you'll find it under "General Resources" near the top.

• What things will be graded? You will be doing three main things for grades: coming to class, doing homework, and taking exams. The first part (coming to class) will be graded by various activities in class. Homework will have alternating formats: code and non-code. Exams will be a midterm and a final. There is much more extensive information on these materials in the sections below.
• How much is each task worth?
  The following is a breakdown of the class tasks by topic and sub-topic:
  
  

  Category	Sub-Category	Percent
  Class Participation	Various (~24)	10%
  Homework	Non-Code (5)	15%
  	Mini-Code (4)	10%
  	Code (2)	10%
  Exams	Midterm	20%
  	Final	35%
  Extra Credit Opportunities	EC HW 14	+1%
  	EC on Exams	+2.75%

  
  
• How do semester grades equate to letter grades? We will be using the +/- system in the following way:
  • A+ (>= 98%) A (>= 92%) A– (>= 90%)
  • B+ (>= 88%) B (>= 82%) B– (>= 80%)
  • C+ (>= 78%) C (>= 72%) C– (>= 70%)
  • D (>= 60%)
  • F (< 60%)
• Do you round? I do not round individual components (exams, homework, etc.), but I do round the semester grade up to the nearest whole number before determining the letter grade. Please do not ask for more rounding.
• Do you curve? I do not curve grades, and you should never ask anyone for a curve. A real curve pits students against each other and your grade might go down if there is someone very talented in your class. At it's heart, a curve is a promise to fail some percentage of the students in the class, and I'd prefer everyone be able to pass by doing the work, even if everyone else is also doing the work.
• Ok... then do you curve up? Not for the semester grades, but if I belive there is something "off" about the grades on some particular assignment (based on my knowledge of the class in general, historical information, etc.), I will make appropriate adjustments to that one item. Please understand that all adjustments must be consistent with the grading shown above and fair for all students.
• Can I do additional work or redo assignments at the end of the semester? There will be no make-up assignments or unannounced extra-credit opportunities at the end of the semester; your grade should be a measure of your semester-long progress.
• What if I need to pass this class? If you tell me at the end of the semester, then unfortunately there will be nothing I can do at that point. However, if you tell me at the start of the semester, we can definitely work together to make sure you're on target.

• How do I get credit for participation? Most lectures will contain one thing you need to do to get credit for participating in that lecture. That thing will vary from class-to-class, but usually it will be something related to the work we're already doing together.
• What if I miss a lecture!? At the end of the semester, I will drop your lowest two participation scores. This should cover situations where you are unable to come to class (due to illness, forgetfulness, outside responsibilities, etc.), and also cover situations where you just "didn't do well". There will be no makeup participation for any reason.
• Can I work in groups? It will depend on the participation activity whether or not you can work with others. You may never work with people who aren't in the room (or at least, they can't get participation for helping you).
• Do I have to work in groups? Have to? No. But keep in mind that when you go out into industry (soon), your hire-ability will be greatly impacted by your ability to communicate with people you don't know. Also, research says you'll learn easier if you work in groups, so if groups are being encouraged for some participation activity, try to join one.

General Homework Questions:

• What types of homework will there be? You will have paper-and-pencil homework some weeks and coding assignments in other weeks. See schedule (on Piazza) for exactly which when.
• Where will I submit homework? Homework will be submitted to Blackboard or GradeScope depending on the assignment.
• Will you "drop" one or more homework assignments? No. This is a senior-level class. No homework can be dropped for any reason (except emergencies, see questions below in "Homework Issues and Potential Problems").
• Can I work in a group? Some homework has group options in this class. Those that do will explicitly state how many people, how grading works, etc. Otherwise homework is considered individual effort.
• Where can I work with my group? GMU offers several Collaborative Learning Areas around campus if you need things like roll-out whiteboards, LCD wall monitors, movable tables, etc.
• Are there any minimum requirements for programming assignments? For all coding homework, your programs must compile on Java 1.9 or higher to receive credit. All other requirements will be specified on a homework-by-homework basis.

Getting Help on Homework:

• How can I get help on homework? Homework help is available in-person before/after class or in office hours, but the discussion board (Piazza) also gives a way to get asynchronous help. Don't spend hours banging your head against a wall, come get help!
• Where and when are office hours? These will be posted on Piazza as either a pinned post or on the "Resources" page, "Staff" tab.
• Can I discuss my homework with others? Unless it's someone in your group for a group homework, no sharing of code or solutions, and no discussion of problem solutions is allowed with anyone except the TAs or me. You may not use the internet to find, develop, or solicit help for code, assignments, or any other individual work. See section 4.1 on the Honor Code.
• How can I get getter at time management so I'm not doing everything at the last minute? Instructors can often help with this, but GMU Learning Services offers a lot of support options for time management improvement as well. Whatever you do, don't hide the problem, talk to someone about it!
• What can I do to improve my writing skills (so that I don't lose points on homework or exams)? I'd recommend working with the Writing Center. They also have specific resources to assist with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Homework Issues and Potential Problems

• What if I submit the wrong files electronically? Just like turning in the wrong homework in-person, turning in the wrong homework electronically will result in a zero. Just because it's easy to make a mistake, doesn't mean you shouldn't double check your submission (in fact, it means the opposite!).
• What if I make a "stupid" mistake on my homework? It happens, but it also has consequences. To prepare you for the cautiousness you need when working in a professional environment, you will not be able to fix anything after submission, even if it is a simple mistake. That's what the time before submission is for. Make sure to dedicate specific time to looking over your work before submission.
• What if Blackboard or Gradescope is down? In the rare situation that a website/tool/service is somehow unavailable or giving an error, you are still responsible for turning in on time. Just email your submission to me before the deadline and explain what happened.
• What if my computer crashes and I lose my work? To ensure professional practices in our senior student body, catastrophic computer failure will not be considered a reason for an extension. As this is a senior level CS course, you can practice the professionalism you'll need in the workplace by backing up your work.
• What type of backup should I use? You can use online services like OneDrive (free to students, see: https://its.gmu.edu/service/office-365-onedrive/), or something as simple as emailing things to yourself at the end of each day, whatever gets the job done!
• What if I miss (or will miss) a homework deadline because of some sort of emergency? If you need an extension or miss a due date because of a university-accepted emergency (such as being taken to the hospital), just notify me within 24 hours to make arrangements. If you provide documentation of the emergency and your involvement we will work out something that makes sense for the situation. I may elect to "exempt" a missed homework rather than give an extension under certain circumstances. In this case, other homework in the same sub-category will gain more weight. Unfortunately, to ensure the class moves forward for everyone, failure to follow these policies will result in a zero.
• What if I miss a homework deadline for some other reason? Missing a homework due date for any non-university-accepted reason (such as not paying attention to when the due date is), will result in a zero.
• What if I know I will need an extension in advance? Extensions require exceptional circumstances (as judged by me) and must be arranged in advance. I don't give extensions on or after the due day unless you have a university-accepted emergency. Normal obligations such as family or friend events, vacations, or other classes are not exceptional circumstances (unless hospitals are involved!).
• Can the TAs give me an extension? Nope. Just me. GTAs cannot approve late submissions or extensions.

• What can I bring to an exam? Exams are closed book/notes unless otherwise specified. Resources available during exams will be specified by me on a exam-by-exam basis.
• What must I bring to an exam? You will need to have your GMU identification available on exam days (and you will be required to show a photo ID as part of the exam process). Alternative photo IDs options may be required if your GMU ID is unavailable or unreadable.
• Can I work in a group on my exam? Studying beforehand? Yes. During an exam? No. All exams are considered individual effort.
• What if I miss the exam because of some sort of emergency? If you miss an exam due to a university-accepted excused absence (such as an illness or car accident the day and time of the exam), just notify me within 24 hours of your absence to make arrangements for a makeup, and bring approved documentation with you when you take the make-up exam. I may elect to replace a missed midterm with some (or all) of the final exam grade rather than offering a makeup exam under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, to ensure the timely return of grades and ensure the class progresses through the semester at the same pace, failure to follow these policies will result in a zero.
• What if I miss an exam for some other reason? Missing an exam for any non-university-accepted reason (such as not paying attention to when the exam is), will result in a zero.
• What if I know I will miss an exam in advance? Early or late/makeup exams require exceptional circumstances (as judged by me) and must be arranged in advance. Vacation plans are not exceptional circumstances. I may elect to replace a missed midterm with some (or all) of the final exam grade rather than offering a makeup exam under certain circumstances.
• What should I do if I have test anxiety? This depends on the severity of your anxiety. Instructors can often give you some advice on this, but there are three other resources you might want to be aware of. One is GMU Learning Services which offers a lot of support options for test taking skills and overcoming test anxiety. The second is talking to Counseling and Psychological Services if the anxiety is very severe. If you have a documented anxiety disorder, then the third option is the Office of Disability Services (see section 5.1). Whatever you do, don't hide the problem, talk to someone about it!

• Can I contest grades? Of course! No one is perfect. If you feel that points have been incorrectly deducted for any reason, just contact the grader for that item. For homework, that is your GTA. For exams, that's me.
• Is there a deadline for contesting grades? To ensure that regrade-requests are manageable, contesting grades on submissions must be requested within one week of receiving the grade (on BlackBoard or GradeScope). No grade changes will be considered subsequent to that deadline or subsequent to the final exam (whichever comes first). For recording errors (e.g. GradeScope says 8/10, but Blackboard says 5/10) there is no time limit.

• What is the GMU Honor Code? The GMU Honor Code describes the behaviors that are not allowed in an academic setting, such as cheating, plagiarism, stealing, and lying. This policy is rigorously enforced. All students must abide by the GMU Honor Code.
• What is the CS Honor Code? The computer science department has a CS Honor Code that you are also subject to. The document helps you to understand how GMU honor code applies to CS, such as what constitutes cheating in a CS setting, and it clarifies some scenarios that are unique to our sorts of assignments.
• What is the Honor Court? If you are suspected of violating the GMU or CS Honor Code, you will be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity who will present you with options, such as contesting the charge or admitting the violation. The purpose of the honor court is to hears both sides in the case. This way it is not your professors who get to determine what occurred and professors can't unilaterally take action against you.
• Is the Honor Court a sentencing court? No. The honor court is there to ensure a fair hearing before punishments are given. The referral to the the Office of Academic Integrity is not a punishment in itself, it is a way of getting the situation clearly understood before any penalties are applied.
• What happens if I violate the honor code (cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie)? The CS Department take the honor code quite seriously. Any violations of the honor code simply will not be tolerated. The penalty for cheating will always be far worse than a zero grade, to ensure it's not worth taking the chance. Confirmed cases of cheating almost always translate into course failure. Suspected cheating will be referred to the Honor Committee as outlined in the GMU Honor Code.
• What happens if someone steals my work? It is your responsibility to lock your computer(s) with a password, to not post your work to websites like Pastebin that are publicly accessible, to guard your USB drives and computers, to not upload your files to someone else's computer, etc. You will be liable for any access gained to your work resulting from poor computer security practices.
• Can you give me an example of cheating? There are many examples in the honor codes listed above, if you are ever unsure of what would/wouldn't be cheating, just ask!
• Why can't I do ___? I hear that's what they do in industry. Why is that cheating? If you want to play in a band, you need to know how to play your own instrument. School is like learning to play the instrument, industy is like being in the band. I worked for over a decade in industry, so I know what people do and don't do, come talk to me if you want a much longer discussion of this :)
• People on the internet say CS professors will send me to the honor court for no reason, what should I do? First, if that were to happen, the Office of Academic Integrity would just dismiss the case. You can't refer someone without evidence. If you have someone telling you this, just ask to see the evidence and decide for yourself (they will have been given this as part of their referral). Second, professors don't get anything out of referring students, it's a process that takes hours to do (per student), and not something anyone would do for fun. Third, if you do know someone whose case was dismissed by the honor court, it doesn't mean they were referred "for no reason", the purpose of the referral is to get all the evidence out in the open and determine what happened. So just being found "not in violation" does not mean there wasn't a reason to investigate the situation. And finally, don't trust people on the internet to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

• Can I give material on Piazza/Blackboard/Gradescope/etc. to others? Please don't share any course material unless you've been authorized to do so (by me!). There are copyright issues (and privacy issues in some situations) that you might not be aware of. So please ask first!
• Can I post course materials to the internet? All course materials posted to Blackboard or other course sites are private and much of it is copyrighted. Additionally, by federal law, any materials that identify specific students (via their name, voice, or image) must not be shared with anyone not enrolled in this class.
• Can I record the class or post recordings of the class? By federal law, any materials that identify specific students (via their name, voice, or image) must not be shared with anyone not enrolled in this class. Therefore, video recordings of in-person class meetings that include audio or visual information from other students is private and must not be shared. And also recordings of video conference meetings (e.g. Collaborate or Zoom) that include audio or visual information from other students must be viewed privately and not shared. If you need to record the class due to a documented medical condition, you will need to sign a waiver (please ask for this).

• What is your non-discrimination policy? GMU, the CS Department, and the CS Faculty are committed to providing an educational environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, or genetic information.
• What should I do if I am being discriminated against? If you feel there has been a violation of the University's policies on discrimination, please contact GMU's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (https://diversity.gmu.edu).
• What if I have a different gender identity, preferred name, or personal pronouns? If you wish, please share your name and/or gender pronouns with us and we will attempt use them to address you in class and via email. In the case of a preferred name, please just try to include your GNumber in communications so that we can easily associate you with your student record.
• How can I refer to you? You can address any instructor as "Prof. [LAST NAME]" in email and verbally if you aren't sure of their personal preferences. "Dr. [LAST NAME]" also works for professors with PhDs. For me, I personally identify as female, but I dislike my gender being highlighted (so I dislike being called "Miss", "Mrs.", or "Ms.") and prefer a neutral title, such as "Prof." or "Dr.".

• I need to talk to someone. Who should I talk to? All faculty members are designated "Responsible Employees", and are required to report all disclosures of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator per university policy 1412. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact the Student Support and Advocacy Center (https://ssac.gmu.edu) or Counseling and Psychological Services (https://caps.gmu.edu). You may also seek assistance from Mason’s Title IX Coordinator directly (https://diversity.gmu.edu/title-ix/who-can-i-call).

• I got injured and it's impacting my ability to do class tasks and/or homework. What should I do? The Office of Disability Services also handles services for many temporary disabilities (for example, if you break your arm, they can arrange note taking services). Please contact them if you discover any sudden impairment that affects your ability to function in class and/or on your projects. They have a quick and easy registration process. All you need is documentation for your condition.
• I have an undocumented disability, or other condition that impacts my learning. What should I do? This depends a lot on the nature of your condition, but generally it's best to talk to someone about what's happening. Often instructors can't offer support on an ad-hoc basis, but they can often help you determine if the situation might be helped by some coaching (e.g. minor test anxiety), counseling (e.g. major anxiety), or something you can get temporary support for from the Office of Disability Services (e.g. a broken arm).
• I have a documented physical or learning disability. What should I do? If you have not yet registered with the Office of Disability Services, you should. This office offers accommodations (such as extended time on projects and/or exams, quite testing environments, lecture recording waivers, etc.) to assist with everything from broken arms to chronic/acute depression and anxiety. I'd highly recommend talking to them if you think any of their services might help. Every student I know who works with them speaks highly of them. They have a quick and easy registration process. All you need is documentation for your condition. Even if you don't know whether you'll need to use the accommodations, it's best get your condition documented with the university as accommodations are not retroactive.
• I am registered with the Office of Disability Services, but I'm not sure if I want to use the accommodations. What should I do? For all your classes (not just this one), you should still speak with your the instructor to discuss your approved accommodations. Even if you don't know whether you plan on using the accommodations, once an instructor knows you have them, you can easily begin using them if the need arises. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared, since accommodations are not retroactive.

• Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) - offers one-on-one consultations and resources in the areas of interpersonal violence, personal wellness, and alcohol/drug abuse
• Counseling and Support Services (CAPS) - offers individual and/or group counseling, workshops and community education programs
• The Office of Disability Services - handles short and long term disability accommodations.
• Learning Services - offers a lot of support options for things like time management, test taking skills, college reading skills, etc.
• The Writing Center - offers support for writing improvement, including specific support for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Open Computer Labs - free-to-use computers on campus
• Software and IT Services for Students - everything from video recording software (such as Kaltura), to cloud storage (such as OneDrive), to development software (such as jGrasp, Notepad++, PuTTy, Python, etc.).