CSC 274
Discrete & Computational Geometry
(Spring 2022)

Joseph O'Rourke


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DCG text

Syllabus Link


InstructorJoseph O'Rourke

Textbook: Discrete and Computational Geometry, S. Devadoss & J. O'Rourke.

Location: Ford Hall 241

Class Times: Tue & Thu, 9:25-10:40. We meet two times a week; there is no lab, although we will have "mini-labs" during nearly every class.

Office Hours: FH256, Mon & Tue 2:45-4:30. Fri 12:00-1:00. Or by appointment. Teaching Assistants: <none>

Overview: The field now called "discrete and computational geometry" (D&CG) sits at the intersection of pure mathematics—math pursued for its own sake—and applications-driven computer science. It is a vibrant, growing field, growing both in pure math (e.g., with new advances in computational topology) and in computer science applications (e.g., to computer graphics). My plan is to pursue the two sides of the D&CG coin in parallel, in a way that will interest math majors, computer science majors, engineering majors, and others. I will arrange that the assignments and exams have two "tracks," one emphasizing the mathematics, one the computation. The former will require proofs, the latter computer programs.

Prerequisites: A student should have taken either MTH 153 Discrete Mathematics or CSC 111 Introduction to Computer Science through Programming, and best if both. However, MTH 153 is not necessary if the student emphasis the CS track, and CSC 111 is not necessary if the student emphasizes the Math track. Calculus will help a little, but is not central or essential. If you are uncertain about your preparation, please contact me.

How it "Counts": For CSC majors, the course counts as a 200-level course covering either Theory or Programming (but not both). It can serve as a substitute for Algorithms, as I will teach basic algorithms (big-O notation, etc.) For Math majors the course counts as a 200-level elective, contributing 2 credits (not 4) toward the MTH major. For any student, the course carries the Latin Honors M designation.

Enrollments: The course has no enrollment limit. 15 have pre-registered.

Programming Language: For the CSC majors, I will generally assume knowledge of Python, but in fact you can use any programming language you know. The material is in a sense language-independent. I will introduce Mathematica for everyone.

Assignments, Exams, Projects: I'm going to try something completely different.

Group Work:

Projects: Of course I will suggest projects (Projects.pdf), and consult with you on feasability, but also let you explore anything connected to the topics being explored. Projects may be submitted (via Moodle) in three forms:

And you might want to attach code or other files.

Grading:

Assignments 1,2,3,4
5%
Ungraded (just submitted or not)
Project 1
15%
Letter grade
Project 2
15%
Letter grade
Project 3
20%
Letter grade
Project 4
25%
Letter grade
Participation
10%
Attendance, attention, contributing, office hrs.
 
100%
 
See also: Grading Numerology.

Whoops! The percentages only add up to 90% :-/. So what I will do is inflate the 75% for projects to 85%. So Assigns (5%) and Participation (10%) add up to 100%.


Linux Accounts: You should each have Linux accounts. From Suzanne Palmer:

They can log in via ssh with their normal Smith username/passwords. The main CS student-use server is aurora.smith.edu. ... all their files in their home directories including their public_html directory are available there. Their pages are visible at www.science.smith.edu/~username.

Project 1 Groups

P1_all

Project 2 Groups

Form your own? Random pairs? Let me know: P2 Google Form. By end of Tues 15Feb would be most useful. Default: By Wed morning, I'll randomly pair those who haven't responded. Now settled:

Groups Formed
1 2 3 4
Alicia Allison Sarah  
Yanning Yutong Ella Yujun
Kate Jeriko    
Madison Emma    
Elaine Glory    
Emi Heather    
Sunshine Elsa    
Grace Donna    

P2_all

Project 3 Groups

Form your own? Random pairs? Let me know: P3 Google Form.

Groups Formed
1 2 3 4
Alicia Allison Sarah  
Yutong Grace Donna  
Kate Jeriko    
Madison Emma    
Yanning Ella Yujun  
Elaine Emi    
Elsa Heather    
Sunshine Glory    

P3_all

Project 4 Groups

Form your own? Random pairs? Let me know: P4 Google Form. All groups now formed:

Groups Formed
1 2 3
Alicia Allison Sarah
Kate Jeriko  
Ella Yanning  
Yujun Yutong Grace
Emma Madison  
Elaine Glory Sunshine
Elsa Hualong  
Emi Heather  

P4_all