Third, although this is outside of the score, the scope of this course.
Algorithms are increasingly being used to provide a novel lens on processes outside
of computer science and technology. For example, the study of quantum
computation has provided a new Computational viewpoint on quantum
mechanics. Price fluctuations in economic markets
can be fruitfully viewed as an algorthmic process and even evolution can be
usefully thought of as a surprisingly effect search algorthim.
The last two reasons for studying algorthims might sound flippant but both
have more than a grain of truth to them. I don't know about you, but back when I
was a student, my favorite classes were always the challenging ones that, after I
struggled through them, left me feeling a few IQ points smarter than when I
started. I hope this course provides a similar
experience for many of you. Finally, I hope that by the end of the
course I'll have converted some of you to agree with me that the design and
analysis of algorithms is simply fun. It's an endeavor that requires a rare
blend of precision and creativity. It can certainly be frustrating at times,
but it's also highly addictive. So let's descend from these lofty
generalities and get much more concrete. And let's remember that we've all been
learning about and using algorithims since we were little kids.