433-253 Algorithms and Data Structures

Students who have completed 433-171 Introduction to Programming prior to 2003 should contact the department to find out about additional assessment required for a prerequisite waiver.

433-171 Introduction to Programming and 433-172 Algorithmic Problem Solving or equivalents (prior to 2003, 433-141 Computing Fundamentals A and 433-142 Computing Fundamentals B) and two subjects (25 points) of first-year mathematics

Prior or concurrent enrolment in 433-252 Software Engineering Principles and Tools is strongly recommended

The objectives of this subject are for students to be familiar with a range of programming languages and their application to the efficient solution of problems by computer; to know a variety of techniques for solving, sorting and searching problems and develop a basic understanding of graph algorithms; to develop experience with using complex algorithms and data structures in a variety of programming languages; to be able to perform basic complexity analyses of algorithms; and to acquire some knowledge of the concepts of computability, tractability and problem complexity.

Topics covered include complexity of algorithms and complexity classes; abstract data types; algorithms for sorting arrays, lists and files; algorithms and data structures for searching: tree structures and hashing; and graph representations and algorithms.

• ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large

• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline

• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom

• profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship

Project work (expected to take about 36 hours) during semester and one written examination (not exceeding three hours) at the end of the semester. The project work must be completed satisfactorily to pass the subject. Weighting of assessment components will be advised at the commencement of the subject.