Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ICS1018

 
TITLE Data Structures and Algorithms 1

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Artificial Intelligence

 
DESCRIPTION This unit aims to introduce the concepts of algorithm and data structure, highlighting the relation that exists between the two. The concepts are introduced in a gradual fashion, proceeding from abstract principles to concrete examples. Correctness and efficiency will be emphasized as the main properties of algorithms. A number of algorithms will be discussed, with emphasis on sorting and searching. Abstract data types (ADTs) will be formally defined and illustrated with case studies for list, stack, queue, priority queues and heaps, and the ADT table. Finally, the structure of the tree and graph ADT and the associated algorithms will be investigated.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Describe time and space complexity of algorithms including Big O notation;
- Describe iteration and recursion;
- Define ADTs and describe the associated algorithms;
- List and describe the main iterative and recursive sorting algorithms;
- List and describe the main Tree and Graph data structures including the various types of trees/graphs and the associated algorithms.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Implement ADTs, Trees and Graph algorithms;
- Use Trees for indexing and searching;
- Determine the time and space complexity of segments of code.

Textbooks:

- Mark Allen Weiss, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, Benjamin Cummings.
- D Harel, Algorithmics: The Spirit of Computing, Addison-Wesley.
- Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, Introduction to Algorithms, McGraw Hill.

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE CPS1011 AND TAKE ICS1251

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Project Yes 25%
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 75%

 
LECTURER/S John M. Abela
Kristian Guillaumier

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit