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Enhancing Algorithms and Data Structures Courses Through Programming Competitions

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This presentation discusses the incorporation of programming competitions into an Algorithms and Data Structures course at Montana State University. The course, designed for upper-division students, aims to enhance problem-solving abilities, Java programming skills, and technical English. It features a blend of lectures, labs, and assessments, including local contests and a final exam. Key topics include input/output, combinatorics, sorting, trees, graphs, and dynamic programming. The session will also cover assessment feedback and ideas for curriculum improvement.

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Enhancing Algorithms and Data Structures Courses Through Programming Competitions

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  1. Programming Competitions as a Basis for an Algorithms and Data Structures Course John Paxton Montana State University CCSC - NW Friday, October 12, 2007

  2. Outline • Course Overview • Assessment • Curriculum Ideas • Discussion

  3. I. Course Overview • http://www.informatik.uni-leipzig.de/~paxton/algorithmics

  4. Background • Practical Applications of Data Structures and Algorithms • The University of Leipzig • Winter Semester 2006 / 2007 • 75 upper division students • 4 credit, elective course

  5. Funding • Fulbright Award • Montana State sabbatical

  6. Course Goals • Improve problem solving abilities • Improve (Java) programming skills • Improve technical English abilities

  7. Course Format • 90 minute lecture • 90 minute lab • Weekly exercise (30%) • Local programming contest (10%) • Final exam (60%)

  8. Local Programming Contest

  9. Course Topics • Simple Input / Output • Base Conversions • Large Numbers • Combinatorics • Strings • Sorting

  10. Course Topics • Grids • Trees • Graphs • Dynamic Programming • Artificial Intelligence

  11. II. Assessment • Student • Instructor

  12. Student Assessment • The course took a practical approach to problem solving. How did you like this approach? 0 – strongly dislike 1 – dislike 0 – neutral 12 – like 8 – strongly like

  13. Student Assessment • The majority of the lecture time was spent coding solutions to problems. How valuable was this technique? 2 – not valuable 5 – somewhat valuable 10 – valuable 4 – very valuable

  14. Student Assessment • How much did your problem solving skills improve during the course? 0 – none 5 – a little 9 – some 7 – a lot

  15. Student Assessment • How much did your programming abilities improve during the course? 0 – none 7 – a little 11 – some 3 – a lot

  16. Instructor Assessment • Emphasize testing more • Post alternate solutions • Use a grading script • Have students take final individually (pairs underperformed by 12.5%) • Have students code in class • Improve the assessment process

  17. III. Curriculum Ideas • Problem solving course • Programming contest course • Study abroad course • Integrate into existing courses (CS I, CS II, artificial intelligence, networks, etc.)

  18. IV. Discussion • How to avoid a “hack-fest” • Managing 75 students with no TA • A peek at the website

  19. IV. Discussion • Thank you! • Any questions?

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