Welcome to the Spring 2019 web page for CS173

Most information will be in the subpages for the two lectures and the honors add-on. Links will appear below as we get those pages ready (probably the weekend before classes start).

• A lecture
• B lecture
• Honors add-on (CS 196, section 73)

Meanwhile, please read the registration and start-up information below. You can also look at the Fall 2018, Spring 2018, and/or Fall 2017 web pages to get a sense of what the course covers and how it normally runs.

Textbooks etc

The textbook will be available online.

You'll need to buy a copy of the discussion manual, in the textbook section at the Illini Union Bookstore. Used copies are ok: the contents haven't changed in a couple years. On the other hand, it's cheap (sold at cost), so you might as well have a copy that isn't written on or falling apart. If the bookstore runs out of copies, tell the folks at the desk so they can get more printed.

Registration

Right now, the course is full. Not just "full" on banner but also projected not to have many seats for non-majors.

• CS majors: we're still holding back some seats for late-registering majors. Contact the CS academic office.
• CE students who need this course now to graduate on time: speak to an ECE advisor who will, if appropriate, contact the CS academic office.
• Others: keep an eye on the registration system. If I get any more hopeful news on additional seats, I'll update this page.

Some additional seats may appear quite late. In particular, students who pass the CS 173 proficiency exam (and can therefore drop the course) won't find this out until about a week into classes.

Seats can appear as late as the second week of classes. (We do not let students join the class or switch lecture after add date.) If you aren't yet registered when clases start, COME TO CLASS and stay caught up with the work. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get caught up when you are able to add the course officially.

Prerequisite checking

This course assumes that you have significant practice with recursion, have worked with basic data structures (e.g. linked lists, trees or graphs), and have seen simple examples of big-O algorithm analysis. Students without this background sometimes think they are ok towards the start of the term, but get into trouble midway through the course.

To take this course, you must have completed Calculus I (Math 220 or 221) and CS 125 or ECE 220. Banner is starting to enforce prerequisites automatically, so you may be unable to register if you don't have them. If this system is not completely working, we will check everyone's background (starting in December) and remove anyone who does not have the prerequisites.

If you have credit for a prerequisite course but it is not visible on your transcript, you may run into problems with registration and/or the prerequisite checking. This would include students with incoming transfer credit, exchange students, and students who pass the CS 125 proficiency exam at the start of the term.

• If you have passed the CS 125 proficiency exam, you're safe from our prerequisite checking process.
• For situations other than the CS 125 proficiency exam, email the details to Margaret Fleck (mfleck@illinois.edu) so that we don't accidentally remove you from the course.
• If the automatic enforcement is working, you'll need an override from the CS academic office to add the course. Be aware that the academic office is swamped during registration and also at the start of the term, so be patient especially if you are a non-major.

What can be used to satisfy the prerequisites?

• Since registration happens in the middle of the previous term, you'll be allowed to register for CS 173 based on the fact that you're currently taking the prerequisite course(s). If you fail a prerequisite class, you'll have to drop CS 173.
• You can take CS 173 if you have credit for Calculus II or III, but mysteriously no credit for Calculus I. However, you should see your advisor to sort out your situation if your major (e.g. CS) explicitly requires Calculus I for graduation.
• You cannot satisfy the programming requirement using AP CS, CS 101/105, and/or ECE 120. These courses do not cover some of the critical background material.
• You may not take a prerequisite course (e.g. CS 125 or ECE 220) concurrently with CS 173. CS 173 uses certain critical material before these courses cover it.
• Having taken much of a prerequisite course (e.g. Calc I) in high school does not change this rule. If you cannot place out of the course at U. Illinois, that means you don't have the background to take CS 173.
• You may satisfy the intro programming requirement by passing the CS 125 proficiency exam (in C++ or Java), at the start of term. Have a backup plan in case you don't pass it.
• It is also sufficient if you pass the ECE 220 proficiency exam at the start of term term. (The ECE department gives this only by special arrangement, primarily to transfer students.)
• If you have substantial programming experience in a language other than C++ or Java, i.e. including material similar to the later parts of CS 125, email the details to Margaret Fleck (mfleck@illinois.edu) to find out if your background is sufficient. If your background is in C++ or Java, you must take the CS 125 proficiency exam.

If you have taken previous proof-based math courses, you may wish to attempt the proficiency exam. For more information, see the CS Proficiency Exams page. The spring exam dates are still being finalized, but will likely be in two evenings early in the first week of classes.

If your background is strong and your schedule is not very full, you may wish to do the Honors Add-on. Registration information will appear soon. Many people add this after classes start.