Student Learning Outcomes

A competitive programming course enhances participants' algorithmic problem-solving and data structure skills. It emphasizes efficient code writing, improving proficiency in a specific language, and developing a competitive mindset with effective time management.

Course Objectives

The course emphasizes debugging techniques, mathematical and logical thinking, and fosters a competitive mindset. Additionally, it covers problem-solving patterns, and encourages consistent practice to excel in coding competitions and real-world software development scenarios.

Communication

• We will use Piazza for online discussions.
• Do not send e-mails to the course staff.
• Feel free to ask or answer questions on Piazza.
• For sensitive, specific questions and solutions, use private posts.

Prerequisites

• CS131 - Combinatoric Structures, or equivalent.
• CS111 - Introduction to Programming I, or equivalent.

Grading Rubric

• Your grade will be based on the EMRN rubric.
• The rubric was created by Rodney Stutzman and Kim Race, where it originated as the "EMRF" rubric in a 2004 article in Mathematics Teacher magazine.
• Classwork will consist of:
• Weekly homework coding assignments with:
• 3 short problems
• 3 long problems
• Buggy code
• 3 In-class contests
• Solve a minimum number of problems in at least one Codeforces live contest according to the following scale:
• 1 problem from Division I, or
• 2 problems from Division II, or
• 3 problems from Division III, or
• 4 problems from Division IV.
• A numerical scale will be used to compute your grade based on the number of completed assignments/category:
• One homework problem – 1 point
• One lecture you attend – 1 point
• One solved Buggy code – 1 point
• You have up to one week to contact the staff members to request a makeup assignment.
• Can do this up to 3 times/assignment per category

Course Policies

• In this class, we permit discussing problem solutions with other students, asking others for conceptual help with a problem, looking online for tutorials explaining how to solve a problem, or getting help from a classmate debugging code you wrote. However, all code you turn in must be your own. The penalty for copying code (either from another student or the Internet) is an F in the course.
• We will compare your programming assignments with JPLAG. You may share design ideas with your fellow students. You may not share code in any way.
• Title IX is a federal law that protects against sex and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking at federally funded educational institutions. Boston University is committed to fostering a learning and working environment free from discrimination in all its forms.

Grade distribution