• See “Topics” for reading assignments
• A note about taking notes

Session	Activity	Reference
#1 - Jan 9	Course overview	Syllabus & Course Materials, Topics
#2 - Jan 14	Asymptotic growth	Topics
#3 - Jan 16	Analysis tactics, Incremental algorithms	Topics
#4 - Jan 21	Loop invariants	Topics
#5 - Jan 23	Divide and Conquer	Topics
#6 - Jan 28	Loop invariant Q&A
#7 - Jan 30	Solving recurrences	Topics, Assignment #0
#8 - Feb 4	Solving recurrences	Topics
#9 - Feb 6	Quicksort	Topics
#10 - Feb 11	Quicksort	Topics
#11 - Feb 13	kth smallest (selection)	Topics
#12 - Feb 18	kth smallest (selection)
#13 - Feb 20	Lower bounds on sorting by pairwise comparision, Radix sort	Topics
#14 - Feb 25	Counting sort	Topics
#15 - Feb 27	Greedy algorithms, Fractional knapsack	Topics
#16 - Mar 4	Fractional knapsack	Topics
#17 - Mar 6	Prim's MST	Topics
#18 - Mar 11	Kruskal's MST	Topics

I'm often asked about posting my lecture notes on the class web site.

1. Taking notes during class is, in my opinion, a vital part of the learning process. Hearing what is said, thinking about the material, and writing (in your own words) what we are discussing each session serves to reinforce the learning process. In fact, I think it is useful to take notes from your textbooks as well. The process really speeds up learning and increases retention.
   
2. My notes are an extreme shorthand designed to guide me during class. They do not contain everything I say in class or write on the board/computer. My notes are, at best, a skeleton listing of the topics we've covered. Your notes should be more detailed than mine, after all, I already know the material.
   
3. Finally, it would be much easier for me not to write anything on the board or computer. The reason I do these things is to allow you to reflect on what is being discussed, write appropriate notes, and ask questions. Writing key phrases and facts on the board/computer is designed to slow me down and allow you time to write your notes. Everything we discuss in class is possible exam material whether I write it down or not (i.e. you should be writing it down).

So, I don't believe posting my lecture notes is in your best interest. I feel it is important for you to take your own notes during class.

However, I will do the following:

• post a list of the topics we've covered each session,
• post selected links to reference materials I use,
• post the chapter and page numbers for each session.

These will be posted on the class web site for each session.

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