DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS - 2025/6

Module Overview

Appropriate choices of data structures can expedite algorithm efficiency and also aid clear thinking when designing algorithms. It is thus natural for data structures to be studied with algorithms. An algorithm is a sequence of steps for performing some process.  A computer program is not an algorithm but a representation of an algorithm. There is a need to be able to create effective algorithms, quantify their efficiency and classify them independently of any computing system or language.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

CHOCKLER Gregory (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

This module considers various data structures such as lists, stacks, queues, trees and graphs and the abstract data types on which they are based. The module also discusses algorithms. It defines a scheme for quantifying algorithm efficiency, devoid of any computing system or language. Several approaches for algorithm design are studied such as recursion, divide and conquer, brute force and greedy strategies. Towards the end of the module the classification of algorithms and the problems they solve is explored. The module finally concludes by asking how future technological developments could change the way we perceive algorithms.

 

Main topics

Abstract data types: discussed in general.

Basic data Structures: lists, linked-lists, stacks, queues, implementation/applications of these.

Trees: general trees ordered trees, multiway trees, implementations of trees, tree traversal, path lengths.

Binary trees: internal and external nodes, binary tree depth, logs.

Binary tree applications: expression trees, binary search trees, heaps, Huffman data compression.

Graphs: undirected/directed, connected, weakly/strongly connected, complete), adjacency matrix/list, topological ordering, weighted graphs/networks, path lengths, Dijkstra’s Algorithm, depth/breadth-first, traversals, minimum spanning trees, Prim’s Algorithm, Kruskal’s Algorithm.

Algorithm Efficiency: Big ‘Oh’, common time complexities, log time, binary search v linear search Recursion: why use it, the ground rules, Merge Sort in detail, Towers of Hanoi in detail.

Sorting: Bubble-, Selection-, Insertion-, Shell-, Bucket-, Radix-, Heap-, Quick-, external sorting.

Hashing: searching, hash function & table, collisions, separate chaining and open addressing.

Algorithm design strategies: brute force, greedy, divide and conquer, dynamic programming, incremental, probabilistic.

Algorithm and problem classification:  polynomial and exponential time, reasonable and unreasonable algorithms, tractable and intractable problems, the future.

• You should be clear that the Algorithms material in the module is NOT intended to be a review of a comprehensive range of specific algorithms. Nevertheless, a limited number of specific algorithms within the areas of searching and sorting will be examined

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 
  Computer-based test
  


• 
  An examination testing all learning outcomes
  

Module aims

• Discover and examine various abstract data types (ADT).
•  Explore data structures based on those ADTs, including implementation and applications of  such data structures.
• Explore algorithms as abstractions - independent of any computing facility.
• Examine what is involved in creating algorithms and quantifying their efficiency.
• Examine the importance of algorithm efficiency.
• Examine the action of a small number of specific algorithms particularly in the areas sorting and searching.
• Explore various strategies for algorithm design and argue about their correctness.
•  Classify algorithms.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and practical experience covering the module aims and learning outcomes.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures


• 
  Lab session, including one lab session for the in-semester test
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: COM1029

Other information

Digital Capabilities

This foundational computer science module teaches students to work with a range of complex data structures such as trees and graphs and classic algorithms such as sorting. These data structures and algorithms form the basic building blocks of computer programmes, providing students with the skills to choose the right data structure for a problem and apply it to the problem.

Employability

This module provides foundational maths, and computer science skills that are the first steps to applying algorithmic techniques to solving real life problems. Students are taught about how different data structures function and algorithms that work well with these data structures. This is foundational to programming and development and is highly valued by  employers.

Global and Cultural Skills

Computer Science is a global language and the tools and languages used on this module can be used internationally. This module allows students to learn about and with data structures and algorithms that are truly global concepts. It will allow them to reason about and develop applications with global reach and collaborate with their peers around the world.

Resourcefulness and Resilience

This module provides knowledge of complex data structures and classical algorithms. By applying these techniques, students gain new insight into how to reason about and develop an efficient solution for new unseen problems.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.