Description
Building on students' knowledge of programming facilities taught in Level 7 programming modules (e.g. arrays, structures, simple collections), this module introduces the standard data structures and algorithms that form the core of algorithmic thought in computer science, and introduces students to the idea of reasoning about the behaviour and performance of a computer program.
Aims
The aim of this Module is to provide the student with : To familiarise students with the standard data structures and algorithms that underpin software design and development.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. Describe abstract and concrete requirements for data structures and algorithms.
2. Describe a range of standard data structures and algorithms, in terms of both functionality and performance characteristics.
3. By reasoning about behaviour and performance, be able to critically select appropriate data structures and algorithms for a given application within a software project.
Indicative Content
1 Reasoning about performance
The idea of an algorithm, time and space complexity, abstract data types, benchmarking and profiling, statistics for software performance, architecture and performance
2 Basic data structures
Linked lists, stacks, queues, maps, hash tables
3 Sorting and searching
Exhaustive and binary search, sorting algorithms. hash algorithms, string search algorithms.
4 Trees
Simple trees, binary trees, tree search algorithms, tree representations in memory.
5 Graphs
Simple and directed graphs, graph algorithms, shortest path algorithms.
Teaching and Learning Work Loads
| Teaching and Learning Method | Hours |
| Lecture | 22 |
| Tutorial/Seminar | 0 |
| Practical Activity | 28 |
| Assessment | 72 |
| Independent | 78 |
| Total | 200 |
Guidance notes
SCQF Level - The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.
Credit Value – The total value of SCQF credits for the module. 20 credits are the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits. A full-time student should normally register for 60 SCQF credits per semester.
Disclaimer
We make every effort to ensure that the information on our website is accurate but it is possible that some changes may occur prior to the academic year of entry. The modules listed in this catalogue are offered subject to availability during academic year 2021/22 , and may be subject to change for future years.
