In this course students will implement and test advanced data structures and algorithms, benchmark performance, analyze algorithmic complexity, explore trade offs in performance and memory usage, and draw out elegant problem-solving techniques.
Key concepts include sorting algorithms, divide-and-conquer recursion, heaps, tries, self-balancing trees, and execution trees. Students will build an original project that applies these data structures to real-world problems such as autocomplete, family trees, and board games.
Students will also write technical articles about these topics to deepen their understanding and create their online presence as knowledgeable and proficient software engineers.
Course Delivery: online | 7 weeks | 14 sessions
Course Credits: 3 units | 37.5 Seat Hours | 75 Total Hours
Assignment Submission: All projects, articles, and quizzes will be submitted via the course page on Gradescope.
Course Dates: Wednesday, January 20 – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 (7 weeks)
Class Times: Monday, Wednesday at 9:30am–12:15pm (13 class sessions)
| Class | Date | Topics | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Mon, Jan 18 | No Class - MLK Day | |
| 1 | Wed, Jan 20 | Iterative Sorting Algorithms | |
| 2 | Mon, Jan 25 | Divide-and-Conquer Recursion | |
| 3 | Wed, Jan 27 | Divide-and-Conquer Recursion | Quiz 1 released, Due: Iterative Sorting Challenges |
| 4 | Mon, Feb 1 | Recursive Sorting Algorithms | |
| 5 | Wed, Feb 3 | Integer Sorting Algorithms | Due:Recursive Sorting Challenges |
| 6 | Mon, Feb 8 | Lab Day | Quiz 2 released |
| 7 | Wed, Feb 10 | Prefix Trees (aka Tries) | Due: Integer Sorting Challenges |
| 8 | Mon, Feb 15 | Prefix Trees (aka Tries) II | |
| 9 | Wed, Feb 17 | Rotating Binary Search Trees | Quiz 3 released |
| 10 | Mon, Feb 22 | Multiple Key Search Trees | Due: Prefix Tree Challenges |
| 11 | Wed, Feb 24 | Priority Queues & Heaps | |
| 12 | Mon, Mar 1 | Special Topics | Due: Heaps Challenge |
| 13 | Wed, Mar 3 | Lab Day | Due: Trees Project & Article |
Students must pass the following course and demonstrate mastery of its competencies:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- implement and compare several sorting algorithms and know when to use which ones
- apply divide-and-conquer recursion techniques to elegantly solve complex problems
- analyze complexity of recursive algorithms with recurrence relations and master theorem
- implement abstract data types including priority queues, binary heaps, and tries
- implement self-balancing tree structures including AVL trees, splay trees, and 2-3 trees
- implement tree traversal algorithms: depth-first and breadth-first ordering
- utilize bit manipulation algorithms to store and access information in individual bits
We will be using Gradescope, which allows us to provide fast and accurate feedback on your work. All assigned work will be submitted through Gradescope, and assignment and exam grades will be returned through Gradescope.
As soon as grades are posted, you will be notified immediately so that you can log in and see your feedback. You may also submit regrade requests if you feel we have made a mistake.
Your Gradescope login is your Make School email, and your password can be changed at https://gradescope.com/reset_password. The same link can be used if you need to set your password for the first time.
To pass this course, students must meet the following requirements:
- Actively participate in class and abide by the attendance policy
- No more than two unexcused absences ("no-call-no-shows")
- No more than four excused absences (communicated in advance)
- Make up all classwork from all absences
- Complete the required coding challenges (rubrics provided on assignment pages). You will need to pass with an average score of 2 or higher
- Iterative Sort
- Recursive Sort
- Integer Sort
- Prefix Trees
- Binary Heaps
- Trees Project
- Pass all quizzes with a 70% or higher
- Complete the technical article assignment with a 70% or higher
- If you are not passing any assignment you have a week to fix any errors and resubmit
- You are allowed to submit assignments after the due date with instructor permission
- You are allowed to drop one coding challenge or quiz
Any additional resources you may need (online books, etc.) can be found here. You can also find additional resources through the library linked below:
- Program Learning Outcomes - What you will achieve after finishing Make School, all courses are designed around these outcomes.
- Grading System - How grading is done at Make School
- Code of Conduct, Equity, and Inclusion - Learn about Diversity and Inclusion at Make School
- Academic Honesty - Our policies around plagerism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct
- Attendance Policy - What we expect from you in terms of attendance for all classes at Make School
- Course Credit Policy - Our policy for how you obtain credit for your courses
- Disability Services (Academic Accommodations) - Services and accommodations we provide for students
- Online Learning Tutorial - How to succeed in online learning at Make School
- Student Handbook - Guidelines, policies, and resources for all Make School students