Probabilistic method in combinatorics and algorithmics
 LV-Nr. MAT.511UF
M. Kang, P. Sprüssel
Institute of Discrete Mathematics
Winter term 2023/24

Course dates

The course comprises 12 lectures and 5 exercise sessions and takes place in the seminar room AE06 wednesdays 08:00-10:00 and thursdays 14:15-16:15. Due to absences of the lecturers, there will be a two week break after the first exercise class. For a detailed list of dates see TUGonline.
It is not compulsory to attend the lectures; it is only compulsory to attend the exercise sessions if you have marked an exercise.

Points and grades

This course will be graded based both on the participation in the exercise sessions and points gained in a written exam (90 minutes) at the end of the course. There will be a makeup exam for those who missed the original exam or have not gained enough points to pass the course. For those who take part in the makeup exam, the points from that exam will replace the points from the original exam.

Dates of the exams

Regular exam: 17 January 2024, 08:00-10:00
Makeup exam: To be announced

You can bring a sheet of paper (size DIN A4) with any handwritten notes (both sides of the sheet may be used for the notes). Any other resources are prohibited at the exam.

Points gained from exercise sessions

The exercise sheets will be available about a week before the respective exercise session. You can then use an online system (a link will be provided below) to mark which exercises you solved. The deadline for marking is precisely one hour before the start of the session. After the deadline, no changes can be made. The choice of who shall present which solution in class is made by a random generator. If you mark an exercise, you need to be present at the respective exercise session.

Points will also be gained by presenting solutions of exercises. Everyone should present at least one exercise in order to pass.

You should present solutions in a way that enables the other participants to follow your arguments. If it becomes apparent that someone did not do an exercise they marked in the system (it is fine if the exercise has been done, but mistakes have been made), this can be penalised by scaling all points from all exercise sessions by 0.5.

Online system for marking exercises

Before you log in for the first time, enter your student email address and request the system to send you a link to set your password.

The online system is available under the following link:

Grades

The total number of points is the sum P of the points M gained by marking solved exercises in the online system, the points S for presenting solutions, and the points E from the exam. Depending on P, the grade will be



P < 16   nicht genügend (5),
16 ≤ P < 20   genügend (4),
20 ≤ P < 24   befriedigend (3),
24 ≤ P < 28   gut (2),
28 ≤ P

  sehr gut (1).

Points for the exam

Up to 20 points can be earned in the exam.

Points for solving exercises

Up to 10 points can be earned by marking exercises. For each sheet, the points awarded for marking the exercises on this sheet will be

2.5 x (marked exercises) / (exercises on this sheet).

Out of the five exercise sessions, the best four will be counted for the total points.

If you miss a session, you will not be awarded any points for that session. Points lost by missing several sessions cannot be compensated.

Points for presenting solutions

Depending on the quality of the solution and the presentation, between 0 and 3 points will be awarded. If a student presents N solutions with an average of A per presentation, this will be worth S = A + log2N points.

Exercise sheets

The exercise sheets will be placed in the TeachCenter course.
last modified on 26 September 2023