30 hours of in-person learning + 12 hours of Q&A and contest mock simulation

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Dates:

• January 11, 2025 - March 22, 2025

Time:

• Saturday 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location:

• Burlington Classroom

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Prerequisite:

• C602, C604, or Strong Programming Experience
   

Course Description:

The USACO is a competitive programming contest designed for pre-college students who are new or experienced to algorithmic problem-solving. In this course, you’ll learn fundamental concepts, advanced programming skills, algorithms, and tackle a variety of interesting problems. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to solidify your understanding, USACO is a great starting point.

Key Topics Covered

• Basic Algorithms: Dive into essential algorithms such as sorting, searching, and basic data structures (arrays, lists, etc.).

• Greedy Algorithms: Learn how to make optimal choices at each step to maximize overall gain.

• Simulation Problems: Practice modeling real-world scenarios using code.

• Graph Theory: Explore graph algorithms like breadth-first search (BFS) and depth-first search (DFS).

• Dynamic Programming: Understand the concept of memorization and solve problems efficiently.

• Mathematics: Brush up on number theory, modular arithmetic, and combinatorics.

Course Structure:

• Lectures: Engage in interactive lectures covering theory, examples, and problem-solving techniques.

• Practice Sessions: Work on a wide range of problems to reinforce your understanding.

• Contests: Participate in mock contests to simulate the actual USACO experience.

Goals:
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Solve the USACO problems confidently.

• Understand common algorithms and their applications.

• Approach new problems systematically.

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Please note that our total sessions include the holidays listed below. No classes will be held on these holidays.

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Holiday Schedule:

• Thanksgiving: 2024, Week 48 (November 25 - December 1)

• Christmas: 2024, Week 52 (December 23 - December 29)

• Easter: 2025, Week 16 (April 20, Sunday)

• New Year's Day: 2025, Week 1 (January 1, Wednesday)

• Chinese New Year: 2025, Week 5 (January 29, Wednesday)

Massachusetts Public School February and April Breaks:

• February Break: 2025, Week 8 (February 17 - February 23)

• April Break: 2025, Week 17 (April 21 - April 27)

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Fees and Enrollment: