Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 07:48:43 +1000 To: "cse discussion" cc: "Hossam El Gindy" From: "Aleksandar Ignjatovic" Subject: proposal for a new course: programming competitions practicum Programming Competitions Practicum Axioms: 1) The course is worth 2 units. It will have 4 numbers cycling over two year period; thus, it can be taken up to 4 times. 2) It is on pass - fail basis. To pass: attendance necessary for at least 7 meetings per semester. The only exam is the final exam which is an ACM type competition. To pass one has to solve 1 problem out of 4 during a 4 hour hands - on exam. Languages: any accepted by ACM competitions. Top 3 people get prizes from the school: first $1000, second $500 third $250. The only course you can make money from. 3) ONLY problems from the previous ACM competitions can be show. (to avoid possible hijacking of the course). 4) Each faculty can show problems only once per semester (ditto). Third and fourth year students can also show problems and are encouraged to do so. 5) Two problems per 3 hour session are shown; both pseudo-code solution AND implementation must be shown. 5a) All problems to be discussed given to students at least two weeks in advance. 6) LiC ensures that all types of problems are equally covered. Only brief comments on the techniques allowed. No teaching credit rewarded. Naturally, I nominate Hossam El Gindy and it's an offer he cannot refuse. 7) Course admin is in charge of providing faculty willing to show problems; liberal application of brute force allowed to supply labor. No teaching credit. Lemma: You had better volunteer voluntarily. Theorem: UNSW places among first three teams on the real ACM Programming competitions. Cheers Aleks