CS4122 – Algorithms and Data Structures (Fall 2026)

Advanced computer programming requires an understanding of both the objects on which programs work, the data structures, and the sequences of steps driving the programs themselves, the algorithms. In order for data structures and algorithms to be generally useful, they often must overcome memory and speed limitations of the underlying machine. Thus it is important for the programmer to be able to analyze algorithms for their efficiency in execution and use of space for data.

This course will improve your skills as a programmer by (1) teaching you the mathematical language for talking about program behavior, (2) develop your skills for algorithmic thinking, and (3) sharpen your abilities for data and procedural abstraction.

Below is a tentative schedule for the semester.

This course addresses UMD campus student learning outcomes (SLOs), as well as CS education outcomes specified by the UMD Department of Computer Science and aligned with the standards put forth by the ABET accrediting board.

• SLO 1: Demonstrate competence in a major field
  • The students will gain knowledge of the core methods of

advanced data structures such as use of appropriate data structures and algorithms, and their running times.

• The students will demonstrate competent use of data structures and algorithms in lab and homework assignments.
• The students will demonstrate knowledge of data structures and algorithms on exam questions.

• SLO 3: Think critically and creatively in seeking solutions to practical and theoretical problems.
  • The students will be able to recognize different types of

algorithmic problems and identify the best approach of how to solve them

• The students will be able to determine the most appropriate data structures to utilize, or be able to design their own

There will be weekly assignments which will consist of both programming and non-programming problems. Programming assignments will be based on algorithms written in a generic pseudo-code presented in lecture and in the text.

All assignments must be submitted by their stated due date.

Part of your final grade will include a class participation component. You can earn participation points by contributing to classroom discussions, answering questions, coming to office hours, etc. To allow a fair chance for everyone to participate, I will sometimes draw names at random to ask questions about the material. Don't worry about getting the answer right! Research suggests that answering questions incorrectly can be valuable for moving information from working memory into long-term memory.

There will be two midterm exams, worth 100 points each and a final exam worth 200 points.

All exams are closed book, and the final exam will be comprehensive. Exams will not be given early, and makeups must be justified by dire circumstances described to the instructor before the time of the exam. It is Department of Computer Science policy not to return final exams, however they are kept and you can look at your exam in the instructor's office. The UMD Final Examination Policy web page explains the UMD policy about having more than two final exams on a single day, among other things.

In order to adapt the exams to the pace of the class, the following exam schedule will be updated with specific dates as the semester progresses. Please check back here for exact dates.

Labs and Assignments (30%)

Participation (10%)

Exams

Midterms (30%)

There will be two midterm examinations, in approximately weeks seven and twelve of the course. The dates of the midterms will be announced at least one week beforehand.

Cumulative Final (30%)

The final exam will take place during finals week. The date and time will be announced beforehand. Please confirm the time before the exam, as the schedule may change. The final exam policy can be found here.

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Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. It is the responsibility of students to plan their schedules to avoid excessive conflict with course requirements. However, there are legitimate circumstances that lead to excused student absence from the classroom. These are subpoenas, jury duty, military duty, religious observances, illness, bereavement, and NCAA varsity intercollegiate athletics.

All 1xxx-5xxx courses offered for undergraduate credit should include a final graded component or end of term evaluation that assesses the level of student achievement of one or more course objectives. All final graded components are to be administered or due at the time and place according to the final exam schedule and not during the last week of class.

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SECTION II. ACADEMIC FREEDOM. Academic freedom is the freedom, without institutional discipline or restraint, to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research, and creative expression, and to speak or write on matters of public concern as well as on matters related to professional duties and the functioning of the University.