Data Structures and Algorithms (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

January– April 2024

January: Algorithmic Thinking and Analysis
• pseudocode, flowcharts
• efficiency and algorithmic complexity

February: Basic Data Structures
• Arrays, Linked List, Stack, Queue

March: Advanced Data Structures
• Hash table, Trees, Graphs

April: Sorting Algorithms, Search Algorithms
• Bubble, Selection, Insertion, Merge and Quick Sort

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- explain the most common data structures
- apply the most common data structures and algorithms connected to the use of these structures
- evaluate the efficiency of algorithms.

Content

- lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs and hash tables
- analysing and evaluating algorithms 
- designing algorithms     
- sorting methods
- search algorithms

Materials

Lecture and practice session material in ItsLearning, e.g. PowerPoint presentations, Jupyter notebook / Python files, etc.
All material is provided in English

Teaching methods

Attending to lectures: teacher will provide both theoretical background and practical examples on a dedicated topic
Attending practice sessions: the theory is put into action in practice - we will see solutions to previous exercises + practice new topics
Individual work: Completing the assignments individually after face-to-face sessions

Exam schedules

Midterm 1 will be held in February (close to winter break), topics are "Algorithms and complexity" and "Basic data structures"
Midterm 2 will be held at the end of the course in April, topics are "Advanced data structures" and "search algorithms"

You will have the chance to retake midterm 1 at the end of the course when you also take the midterm 2 exam.

There is one retake exam for the entire course at the beginning of May.

International connections

Understanding data structures and algorithmic efficiency / complexity are essential in many ways. During this course, the student will gain both theoretical and practical understanding on these topics.

Students will learn to use pseudocode / flowcharts to describe algorithms and analyze their complexity. Practical understanding is gained through coding exercises. We will use Python as our main coding language.

Completion alternatives

Ask teacher, if there is an ongoing suitable online course (FiTech / Coursera or equivalent).
CampusOnline courses ARE NOT accepted!

Student workload

Lectures 2h / week (all three groups together)
Practice sessions 2h / week (three small groups)
Individual work outside school: reading, studying, preparing the weekly programming practice tasks

Qualifications

Ohjelmoinnin perustaidot jollakin korkean tason ohjelmointikielellä (esimerkiksi Python, Java, C# tai vastaava)
•Ohjelmoinnin perustaitoihin kuuluu muun muassa ulostulon formatointi, ehtolauseet, silmukat, funktiot/aliohjelmat, funktion parametrit ja paluuarvot, taulukot, virheentarkastelu, testaus ja hyvät koodauskäytännöt
•Riittävät matemaattis-loogiset ajattelutaidot

Further information

ItsLearning
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