COMP SCI 2103 - Algorithm Design & Data Structures
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMP SCI 2103 Course Algorithm Design & Data Structures Coordinating Unit Computer Science Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites COMP SCI 1102 Incompatible COMP SCI 1103, COMP SCI 2202, COMP SCI 2202B Restrictions Not available to B. Information Technology students Assessment Written exam and/or assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Anna Kalenkova
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Program C++ in the OO paradigm, 2 Explain fundamental computing algorithms, 3 Analyse algorithms and identify key algorithmic strategies, 4 Demonstrate familiarity with fundamental software engineering practices, 5 Demonstrate knowledge of programming language design issues, 6 Work competently in a group to learn software concepts. 7 Use abstract data types to help solve programming problems
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 3.6
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-7 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
3,7 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1,2,4,5 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
6 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1,3,5,7 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
The reference text for this course are:
- Problem Solving with C++, Walter Savitch.*
- Introduction to Algorithms, Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein.**
- Algorithms and Data Structures: The Basic Toolbox, Kurt Mehlhorn and Peter Sanders.**
* Limited simultaneous online copies available through MyUni course readings
** Unlimited simultaneous online copies available through MyUni course readings
Personal copies can be purchased. Limited physical copies are available from the library in the short term loan collection.Recommended Resources
Students who have not studied C++ as a programming language and are entering this course are strongly advised to undertake self study in C++ before underaking this course.Online Learning
In this course, we use the myUni online Learning Management System. The link for the course is at https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/ -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course has three contact activities: lectures, workshops and practicals. Each of these activities will provide you with the resources necessary to understand the course material.
Lectures will build off of pre-recorded concept videos by providing further practice and demonstrations as well as an opportunity to discuss programming, algorithmic and data structure comparisons. You should expect to attend all of these and participate in small group work. Although thse sessions are recorded in case you are unable to attend, the lecture sessions are designed to be interactive rather than designed for offline viewing.
Practicals are an in-lab activity session where you will work on the weekly programming tasks in C++, while receiving feedback from practical supervisors who are stationed around the lab area. You will need to discuss your work with the supervisors and other students to ensure that you have understood everything. Carrying out the practical tasks is very important to be able to successfully complete the practical examinations.
Workshops are group problem solving sessions and provide practice with the theory to complement the practical sessions. Participation in these sessions is important to ensure you understand the theoretical concepts to successfully complete the theory questions in practical examinations.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Students are expected to spend 10-12 hours per week on this course.
There will be 4-5 hours contact time for learning and teaching activities each week and students will be working in groups and individually an additional 6-8 hours per week on average to carry out the required learning and teaching activities for acquiring the expected knowledge, understanding, and skills in this course.Learning Activities Summary
The course is structured to take you from an introductory knowledge of C++ to a higher level, as well as addressing some key areas of computer programming and algorithm design.
The weekly pattern is two to three one-hour lectures and a two-hour practical session, with a workshop every fortnight.
The outline course content is:
Week 1
Review of fundamental C++ programming techniques
Week 2
Abstract data types
Week 3
Recursion
Week 4
Analysing algorithm performance
Week 5
Computational complexity
Week 6
Searching & Sorting algorithms
Week 7
List Structures - Linked LIst ADT
Week 8
Stack and Queue ADTs
Week 9
Tree ADTs
Week 10
Heap ADT
Week 11
Selecting ADT and Algorithmic Strategies
Week 12
Finishing off, Summary & Exam prepSpecific Course Requirements
There are no specific course requirements,. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes Written Examination 50 Individual Summative Exam Period Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. Practical Examinations 20 Individual Summative Week 4,8 1. 4. 10. Practical Assignments 25 Group or Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. Workshop - active participation 2.5 Group Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. Quizzes 2.5 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. Total 100
This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s):
This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
Assessment Related Requirements
Students must achieve an overall passing mark and least 40% in the main exam.
Assessment Detail
Workshop participation requires you to work in groups to generate solutions to problems and present your groups' work.
Practical assignments are programming assignments related to the course topics which can be done in groups or individually.
Practical examinations are lab based programming and theory exams held during scheduled practical time. They assess content covered in the weeks before they are held.
Written examination is a 2-hour theory and programming structure examination with questions from across the course content.
Submission
Submission details for all activities are available in MyUni but the majority of your submissions will be online and may be subjected to originality testing through Turnitin or other mechanisms. You will receive clear and timely notice of all submission details in advance of the submission date.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
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- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
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- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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