About this course: Experienced Computer Scientists analyze and solve computational problems at a level of abstraction that is beyond that of any particular programming language. This two-part class is designed to train students in the mathematical concepts and process of "Algorithmic Thinking", allowing them to build simpler, more efficient solutions to computational problems. In part 2 of this course, we will study advanced algorithmic techniques such as divide-and-conquer and dynamic programming. As the central part of the course, students will implement several algorithms in Python that incorporate these techniques and then use these algorithms to analyze two large real-world data sets. The main focus of these tasks is to understand interaction between the algorithms and the structure of the data sets being analyzed by these algorithms. Once students have completed this class, they will have both the mathematical and programming skills to analyze, design, and program solutions to a wide range of computational problems. While this class will use Python as its vehicle of choice to practice Algorithmic Thinking, the concepts that you will learn in this class transcend any particular programming language.
Created by: Rice University
Taught by: Luay Nakhleh, Associate Professor
Computer Science; Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Taught by: Scott Rixner, Professor
Computer Science
Taught by: Joe Warren, Professor
Computer Science
| Basic Info | Course 6 of 7 in the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 7-10 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Module 3 - Core Materials
Sorting, searching, big-O notation, the Master Theorem
13 videos, 2 readings
- Video: What is Algorithmic Thinking?
- Video: The sorting problem
- Video: A simple quadratic algorithm
- Video: Illustrating MergeSort
- Video: The recurrence for MergeSort
- Video: The Master Theorem and MergeSort efficiency
- Video: Linear vs. binary search
- Video: Efficiency of binary search
- Video: Class structure (from part 1)
- Reading: Class notes
- Reading: Coding notes
- Video: Coding styles and standards - PoC
- Video: Testing and machine grading - PoC
- Video: Plotting data - PoC
- Video: Peer assessment - "We want a shrubbery!" - IIPP
Graded: Homework #3
WEEK 2
Module 3 - Project and Application
Closest pairs of points, clustering of points, comparison of clustering algorithms
4 readings
- Reading: Project #3 Description
- Reading: Tests and Tips for Implementing the Clustering Methods
- LTI Item: Project Submission History
- Reading: Application #3 Description
- Reading: Application #3 Solution
Graded: Assignment: Closest Pairs and Clustering Algorithms
Graded: Comparison of Clustering Algorithms
WEEK 3
Module 4 - Core Materials
Dynamic programming, running time of DP algorithms, local and global sequence alignment
7 videos
- Video: The RNA secondary structure problem
- Video: A dynamic programming algorithm
- Video: Illustrating the DP algorithm
- Video: Running time of the DP algorithm
- Video: DP vs. recursive implementation
- Video: Global pairwise sequence alignment
- Video: Local pairwise sequence alignment
Graded: Homework 4
WEEK 4
Module 4 - Project and Application
Computation of sequence alignments, applications to genomics and text comparison
1 video, 3 readings
- Reading: Project #4 Description
- Reading: Application #4 Description
- Reading: Application #4 Solution
- Video: Class wrap-up
Graded: Assignment: Computing Alignments of Sequences
Graded: Applications to Genomics and Beyond
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Rice University
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Pricing
| Purchase Course | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available | Not available |
| Receive a final grade | Available | Not available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available | Not available |
Ratings and Reviews
Challenging and enjoyable!
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Very impressive and full of challenge. Really learn a lot . Data clustering and sequence alignment are very practical and interesting problems, divided and conquer and dynamic programming skills are very impressive and powerful. I really enjoy myself in this course. And I've got a feeling like that all things are connected to each other, math , programming and real life. Thank you so much for Luay!