# COMPSCI 477: Algorithmic Thinking | UW–Madison [View on UW Courses](https://uwcourses.com/courses/COMPSCI_477) ## Dataset ### revision e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349 ### repository twangodev/uwcourses ### schema version 6 ### importer version 7 ### projection id 52a78527ff09011d88cb04c7d43867d9fbfec2930bf1dd2ec359ebd2844e0b07 ### observed at 2026-09-07T15:55:43.033547+00:00 ### built at 2026-09-10T19:50:42.743001+00:00 ### courses 8951 ### current instructors 5754 ### limited false ### terms * 1272 * 1264 * 1262 * 1254 * 1252 * 1244 * 1242 * 1234 * 1232 * 1224 * 1222 * 1212 * 1204 * 1202 * 1194 * 1192 * 1184 * 1182 * 1174 * 1172 * 1164 * 1162 * 1154 * 1152 * 1144 * 1142 * 1134 * 1132 * 1124 * 1122 * 1114 * 1112 * 1104 * 1102 * 1094 * 1092 * 1084 * 1082 * 1074 * 1072 ### term 1272 ### departments | subject | count | | --------- | ----- | | AAE | 90 | | ABT | 20 | | ACCTIS | 36 | | ACTSCI | 14 | | AFAERO | 10 | | AFRICAN | 87 | | AFROAMER | 71 | | AGROECOL | 21 | | AMERIND | 53 | | ANAT\&PHY | 7 | | ANATOMY | 2 | | ANESTHES | 8 | | ANSCI | 57 | | ANTHRO | 95 | | ART | 125 | | ARTED | 10 | | ARTHIST | 121 | | ASIALANG | 129 | | ASIAN | 109 | | ASIANAM | 28 | | ASTRON | 38 | | ATMOCN | 69 | | BIOCHEM | 51 | | BIOCORE | 10 | | BIOLOGY | 14 | | BIOMDSCI | 18 | | BME | 66 | | BMI | 41 | | BMOLCHEM | 10 | | BOTANY | 69 | | BSE | 44 | | C\&ESOC | 73 | | CBE | 48 | | CHEM | 101 | | CHICLA | 52 | | CIVENGR | 133 | | CLASSICS | 47 | | CNP | 10 | | CNSRSCI | 50 | | COMARTS | 137 | | COMPBIO | 15 | | COMPLIT | 11 | | COMPSCI | 138 | | COUNPSY | 78 | | CRB | 19 | | CS\&D | 71 | | CSCS | 40 | | CURRIC | 193 | | DANCE | 93 | | DERM | 8 | | DS | 88 | | DYSCI | 35 | | ECE | 155 | | ECON | 145 | | EDPOL | 114 | | EDPSYCH | 97 | | ELPA | 70 | | EMA | 53 | | EMERMED | 17 | | ENGL | 206 | | ENTOM | 40 | | ENVIRST | 148 | | EP | 15 | | EPD | 67 | | ESL | 16 | | F\&WECOL | 60 | | FAMMED | 22 | | FINANCE | 50 | | FOLKLORE | 40 | | FOODSCI | 43 | | FRENCH | 63 | | GEN\&WS | 145 | | GENBUS | 72 | | GENECSLR | 17 | | GENETICS | 60 | | GEOG | 113 | | GEOSCI | 83 | | GERMAN | 82 | | GLE | 48 | | GNS | 38 | | GREEK | 27 | | HDFS | 41 | | HEBR-BIB | 13 | | HEBR-MOD | 10 | | HISTORY | 233 | | HISTSCI | 56 | | HONCOL | 13 | | ILS | 43 | | INFOSYS | 9 | | INTEGART | 7 | | INTEGSCI | 22 | | INTER-AG | 18 | | INTER-HE | 11 | | INTER-LS | 22 | | INTEREGR | 16 | | INTLBUS | 21 | | INTLST | 50 | | ISYE | 83 | | ITALIAN | 53 | | JEWISH | 56 | | JOURN | 88 | | KINES | 128 | | LACIS | 26 | | LANDARC | 61 | | LATIN | 24 | | LAW | 120 | | LEGALST | 48 | | LINGUIS | 35 | | LIS | 89 | | LITTRANS | 78 | | LSC | 52 | | M\&ENVTOX | 7 | | MARKETNG | 62 | | MATH | 153 | | MDGENET | 8 | | ME | 130 | | MEDHIST | 43 | | MEDICINE | 60 | | MEDIEVAL | 32 | | MEDPHYS | 39 | | MEDSC-M | 29 | | MEDSC-V | 41 | | MHR | 68 | | MICROBIO | 45 | | MILSCI | 16 | | MM\&I | 22 | | MOLBIOL | 6 | | MS\&E | 59 | | MUSIC | 165 | | MUSPERF | 126 | | NAVSCI | 20 | | NE | 44 | | NEURODPT | 11 | | NEUROL | 7 | | NEURSURG | 4 | | NTP | 11 | | NURSING | 111 | | NUTRSCI | 65 | | OBS\&GYN | 18 | | OCCTHER | 39 | | ONCOLOGY | 14 | | OPHTHALM | 5 | | OTM | 43 | | PATH | 34 | | PATH-BIO | 29 | | PEDIAT | 26 | | PHARMACY | 31 | | PHILOS | 77 | | PHMCOL-M | 11 | | PHMPRAC | 45 | | PHMSCI | 60 | | PHYASST | 37 | | PHYSICS | 88 | | PHYSIOL | 3 | | PHYTHER | 37 | | PLANTSCI | 52 | | PLPATH | 35 | | POLISCI | 192 | | POPHLTH | 58 | | PORTUG | 33 | | PSYCH | 101 | | PSYCHIAT | 22 | | PUBAFFR | 54 | | PUBLHLTH | 23 | | RADIOL | 11 | | REALEST | 41 | | RELIGST | 90 | | RHABMED | 9 | | RMI | 24 | | RP\&SE | 102 | | S\&APHM | 17 | | SCANDST | 73 | | SLAVIC | 89 | | SOC | 149 | | SOCWORK | 87 | | SOILSCI | 46 | | SPANISH | 83 | | SRMED | 21 | | STAT | 94 | | STDYABRD | 52 | | STS | 8 | | SURGERY | 25 | | SURGSCI | 33 | | THEATRE | 91 | | URBRPL | 60 | | UROLOGY | 5 | | ZOOLOGY | 89 | ## course ### run id 20260907T155543-ce3781c4 ### semester 1272 ### observed at 2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00 ### record version id aa484ad6f822fafa58651395cff66ea929b0eed18bf06e542ed89c2502ca26db ### course id COMPSCI 477 ### course uid course\_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740 ### catalog version id ff7149f7f17f30bc0e0d23bad7f5d1af51c0a1ef36bcca555dedc780b034fc00 ### course number 477 ### subjects * COMPSCI ### title ALGORITHMIC THINKING ### description Use of algorithmic techniques for solving concrete computational problems. Incorporates elements of discrete mathematics and intermediate data structures. Introduction to basic paradigms for designing efficient algorithms: divide and conquer, dynamic programming, greed. Program development from nontrivial real-world problem descriptions, over precise specifications and algorithmic solutions, to implementation. ### requirements text Declared in the Capstone Certificate in Computer Sciences Kickstart Program for Professionals ### credit offering ids None recorded. ### llm job id enrich-f516c4d3e82cfe326b4f5f54 ### llm output id 8071ae302290571341c57d641ed775f84dbbb1dd4b0847d980db5f2ba85df7fe ### llm model nvidia/Qwen3.6-35B-A3B-NVFP4 ### llm model revision 1355db6a052410cfd62085d94b58866fd0f2c3c5 ### llm task version 14 ### llm search status valid ### llm summary COMPSCI 477 teaches algorithmic thinking and design paradigms for solving computational problems. ### llm topics * Divide and conquer * Dynamic programming * Greedy algorithms * Discrete mathematics * Data structures ### llm skills * Algorithmic problem solving * Algorithm design paradigms * Program development and implementation ### llm assumed background * Discrete mathematics and intermediate data structures ### llm search phrases * algorithmic thinking * algorithm design paradigms * divide and conquer * dynamic programming * greedy algorithms * algorithmic problem solving * COMPSCI 477 ### llm requirements status needs\_review ### llm student summary status valid ### llm experience status valid ### catalog variants None recorded. ### student summary #### context hash 2da831ab30e2f05b1efa52ffcefca92734ff6871d1816cde471674cd38efd90a #### course id COMPSCI 477 #### current instructors None recorded. #### difficulty workload Historical reviews of Anya Samak, Lydia Ashton, Lydia Zepeda: Workload includes random quizzes, group homework, and exams. One review notes exams are easy, while another finds them unlike practice questions. Group work is a consistent component. ```json { "citations": [ { "instructor_name": "Anya Samak", "review_date": "2013-01-16 19:47:30 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "1a0427b529ff71731f6db364", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1787522", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIxMjY4MTYy", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1787522", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Zepeda", "review_date": "2014-12-15 10:27:16 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "ceb0da40c24f62edcd583c26", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1041213", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0MDgyNjc0", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1041213", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Ashton", "review_date": "2021-04-29 04:00:39 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "b42231a12fb031cf89f26522", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:2344040", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM0NjU0NDQ4", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2344040", "type": "review" } ] } ``` #### errors None recorded. #### historical context No current instructor is listed for this term. Historical reviews for Anya Samak, Lydia Zepeda, and Lydia Ashton show varied experiences. Samak was easy with simple exams but relied on slides. Zepeda was unapproachable with confusing explanations and pop quizzes. Ashton was caring and offered extra credit but had weak lecturing skills and mandatory group work. ```json { "citations": [ { "instructor_name": "Anya Samak", "review_date": "2013-01-16 19:47:30 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "1a0427b529ff71731f6db364", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1787522", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIxMjY4MTYy", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1787522", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Zepeda", "review_date": "2014-12-15 10:27:16 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "ceb0da40c24f62edcd583c26", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1041213", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0MDgyNjc0", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1041213", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Ashton", "review_date": "2021-04-29 04:00:39 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "b42231a12fb031cf89f26522", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:2344040", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM0NjU0NDQ4", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2344040", "type": "review" } ] } ``` #### offered false #### profile hash e59ddc7389015d0035b68cd195c939d475bf72b959b29cf12eab59b454ccaef1 #### quick take Historical reviews describe COMPSCI 477 as varying from easy to confusing, with frequent quizzes and group work. Students report mixed experiences regarding lecture quality and exam preparation. ```json { "citations": [ { "instructor_name": "Anya Samak", "review_date": "2013-01-16 19:47:30 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "1a0427b529ff71731f6db364", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1787522", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIxMjY4MTYy", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1787522", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Zepeda", "review_date": "2014-12-15 10:27:16 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "ceb0da40c24f62edcd583c26", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1041213", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0MDgyNjc0", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1041213", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Ashton", "review_date": "2021-04-29 04:00:39 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "b42231a12fb031cf89f26522", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:2344040", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM0NjU0NDQ4", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2344040", "type": "review" } ] } ``` #### student experience Historical reviews of Lydia Ashton, Lydia Zepeda: Students find group work annoying if paired with poor partners. Lecture styles vary from reading slides to being caring but unclear. Extra credit opportunities are mentioned positively. ```json { "citations": [ { "instructor_name": "Lydia Zepeda", "review_date": "2014-12-15 10:27:16 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "ceb0da40c24f62edcd583c26", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1041213", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI0MDgyNjc0", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1041213", "type": "review" }, { "instructor_name": "Lydia Ashton", "review_date": "2021-04-29 04:00:39 +0000 UTC", "review_id": "b42231a12fb031cf89f26522", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:2344040", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM0NjU0NDQ4", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2344040", "type": "review" } ] } ``` #### task hash 74fb0997943e888960bbc9e47db8c4fd12e4292d55c20509d8d89db6a9910f68 #### teaching history None recorded. #### term id 1272 #### term name 2026 Fall #### version 2 ### requirements #### nodes ```json [ { "children": [], "condition": "Declared in the Capstone Certificate in Computer Sciences Kickstart Program for Professionals", "course": null, "evidence": "Declared in the Capstone Certificate in Computer Sciences Kickstart Program for Professionals", "id": "n0", "kind": "condition" } ] ``` #### notes * The requirement is a program membership condition rather than a standard course prerequisite. The identity of the 'Capstone Certificate in Computer Sciences Kickstart Program for Professionals' is not a standard course in linked\_courses, so #### root n0 #### status needs\_review ### instructors None recorded. ### offerings None recorded. ### sections None recorded. ### grade instructors None recorded. ### grades None recorded. ### statistics #### graded 0 #### counts * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 ### grade conflicts None recorded. ### evidence #### history * [/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/history/course\_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json](https://uwcourses.com/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/history/course_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json) #### traces * [/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/traces/course\_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json](https://uwcourses.com/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/traces/course_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json) #### reviews * [/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/reviews/course\_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json](https://uwcourses.com/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/reviews/course_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json) #### results * [/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/results/course\_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json](https://uwcourses.com/data/e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349/results/course_5c57df5be4f0510ce1caf740-0.json) ### revision e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349 ## instructor Trends None recorded. ## following None recorded.