Data Structures and Algorithms
Undergraduate
UNE-COSC230 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Data Structures and Algorithms
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- write, compile, and run programs in C++;
- perform complexity analysis in order to determine the efficiency of a given algorithm;
- implement key details of each of the data structures presented in this unit; and
- determine which data structure should be used for the efficient solution of a range of different problems, and understand why this is the case in each instance.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
In a data driven world, your ability to keep pace with new trends in software development relies on a sound understanding of the fundamental data structures used in programming. Emphasising both algorithm design and efficiency analysis, in this subject you will explore practical data structure implementations using object-oriented programming in C++. Data structure implementations include linked lists, binary search trees, hash tables, stacks and queues, heaps and expression trees. Recursion and efficient sorting algorithms are also covered. Extend your capacity to use a structured approach to find solutions for the complex challenges you may encounter in a range of programming scenarios, and hone invaluable technical and analytical skills.
Assessments 1 to 4: Programming assignments. All assessment tasks must be attempted. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Final Examination: 2 hrs 15 mins. It is mandatory to pass this component in order to pass the unit. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.
UNE manages supervised exams associated with your UNE subjects. Prior to census date, UNE releases exam timetables. They’ll email important exam information directly to your UNE email address.- Assessment 1 - Programming assignment (10%)
- Assessment 2 - Programming assignment (10%)
- Assessment 3 - Programming assignment (10%)
- Assessment 4 - Programming assignment (10%)
- Final Examination - 2 hrs 15 mins (60%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- UNE-INF-DIP-2025 - Diploma in Information Technology
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
and one of
- UNE-COSC101-Software Development Studio 1
- UNE-COSC110-Introduction to Programming and the UNIX Environment
- UNE-SCI210-Introduction to Scientific Programming
- UNE-AMTH250-Computational Mathematics
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Others
Candidature in Diploma in Information Technology.
To enrol in this subject you will need to pass the Prerequisite/s. Please note as UNE results are released after the close of enrolment date, your enrolment into this subject will be withdrawn if you do not pass the prerequisite subject/s.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
- Travel requirements - Travel may be required to attend the Final Examination for this subject.
- Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:
Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Diploma in Information Technology
Undergraduate
UNE-INF-DIP