CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT20256 Data Structures and Algorithms
Data Structures and Algorithms
All details in this unit profile for COIT20256 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will study advanced data structures and algorithms for software development using an object-oriented programming language. You will learn how to design and build classes, throw exceptions, and extend a class using inheritance and polymorphism. You will practise these concepts and develop applications with front-end Graphical User Interface (GUI) components and backend databases using database programming. You will build software applications using complex data structures and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). You will gain an understanding of basic algorithms, and learn to evaluate algorithmic performance and assess the correct use of different data structures. You will be introduced to functional programming using Lambdas and Streams. You will obtain hands-on experience using all the concepts by completing programming exercises.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: COIT20245 Introduction to Programming

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 10%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student evaluation

Feedback

This unit is well written and the assessments are challenging but extremely helpful in learning.

Recommendation

Continue with the current assessments that help students to develop practical skills.

Feedback from Student evaluation

Feedback

Expects more focus on data structures and algorithms.

Recommendation

Database programming and Object-oriented design will be replaced with graph theory and additional tutorials on algorithm.

Feedback from Student evaluation

Feedback

Assignments are difficult for students migrating from non-STEM background.

Recommendation

Provide more support for students and explore the potential for peer mentoring.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Design classes which use inheritance, polymorphism, and exception handling
  2. Develop multi-layered software solutions, focusing on data structures and algorithms
  3. Integrate data sets using complex data structures such as linked lists, stacks, and queues
  4. Evaluate performance of different algorithms in problem solving
  5. Investigate socially innovative practices in software development
  6. Create Lambda expressions and streams using functional programming.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA provides a consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments, and individuals in many countries and is increasingly used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.

ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 7. The SFIA code is included:
  • Software Design (SWDN)
  • System Integration and Build (SINT)
  • Programming/Software Development (PROG)
  • Data modelling and design (DTAN)
  • Database Design (DBDS)
  • Testing (TEST)
  • User experience analysis (UNAN)
  • User experience design (HCEV).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Practical Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 10%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 10%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Java How to Program, Late Objects, Global Edition (11e)

Global Edition (11e) (2019)
Authors: Paul Deitel and Harvey Deitel
Pearson Higher Ed US
USA
ISBN: 978-1292273730
Binding: eBook

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Java 8 (Oracle)
  • JavaFX SceneBuilder 8.5.0
  • NetBeans IDE 8.2
  • Apache Derby 10.14.2.0 (or 10.13.1.0)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jacqueline Jarvis Unit Coordinator
j.jarvis@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Classes and Objects: A Deeper Look

Chapter

8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Inheritance

Chapter

9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Polymorphism and Interfaces

Chapter

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 1 - due in week 3 tutorial class

(start submitting Assessment 2 (to be developed and submitted in weekly tutorial classes) from week 3.) 

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

JavaFX GUI and Event-Driven Programming

Chapter

12 and 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 2 - due in week 4 tutorial class

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Generic Collections: Lists, Sets, Maps, and Priority Queue


Chapter

16



Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 (Assignment) - phase 1 due Friday 11:55 pm (AEST) (complete assignment - submission of final phase due Monday week 7)


Assessment 2: Part 3 - due in week 5 tutorial class

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Check that you have no "make-up/catch-up classes scheduled as a result of public holidays.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Generic classes and methods


Chapter

20


Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 4 - due in week 6 tutorial class 

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Recursion

Chapter

18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 5 - due in week 7 tutorial class


Assessment 1 (Assignment) Due: Week 7 Monday (26 Apr 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Custom Generic Data Structures (Implementing Stacks, Queues, Binary Trees) 


Chapter

21

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 6 - due in week 8 tutorial class


Assessment 3 (Assignment )- phase 1 due Friday 11:55pm (AEST) (complete assignment - submission of final phase due Monday week 12)

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Exception Handling, Files, Streams and Serialization


Chapter

11 and 15


Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 7 - due in week 9 tutorial class


Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Lambdas and Aggregate Operations for Collection Streams


Chapter

17


Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 8 - due in week 10 tutorial class

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Sorting and Algorithmic Efficiency

Chapter

19

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 9 - due in week 11 tutorial class

Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Graphs and applications;

Chapter

online resources, 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2: Part 10 - due in week 12 tutorial class



Assessment 3 (Assignment) Due: Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The examination will be scheduled during the examination period

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 1 (Assignment)

Task Description

In this assignment you will demonstrate your ability to design, develop and test a software application applying the Object-Oriented programming concepts of classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. This assessment task applies the topics studied in Weeks 1 - 5. Further details are in the Assignment 1 specification document available on the Moodle unit website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (26 Apr 2021) 11:55 pm AEST

Your final complete submission is due. Refer to the detailed specification on the unit website.


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Tuesday (11 May 2021)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Design and Implementation
  2. Language Use
  3. Documentation
  4. Testing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit the zip file with the source code and the report file (.doc). Refer to the detailed specification on the unit website for more details.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design classes which use inheritance, polymorphism, and exception handling
  • Develop multi-layered software solutions, focusing on data structures and algorithms
  • Investigate socially innovative practices in software development


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2 (Tutorial Activities)

Task Description

This assessment item is to be developed and submitted as part of your weekly workshop/tutorial sessions. It consists of a series of 10 practical tutorials where the tutorial/lab work is to be developed and  submitted in the tutorial class  in weeks 3 – 12 (inclusive). For on campus students this work is due in the weekly workshop, not the due date shown in Moodle. The date given in Moodle is to cater for all scheduled workshop classes.

No marks will be awarded for work submitted outside the workshop/tutorial class or for late submissions.

On-campus students

  1. This assessment task must be developed and submitted in your weekly workshop as and when you are directed to do so by your tutor.
  2. Marks may be deducted if your tutor is not satisfied with your progress or understanding of the work. Marks are not only awarded for the sample of work submitted during the class. Satisfactory participation in all workshop class activities is also required to be awarded marks for this assessment item.

Online students

  1. Submit the sample of your weekly work requested by your tutor by the due date shown on the unit website for the corresponding week. Late submissions will be awarded 0 marks.
  2. The unit coordinator is your tutor and may make arrangements to discuss aspects of the weekly work with you before marks can be awarded.


Assessment Due Date

This task commences with an "in-class" submission of work in week 3 and continues with "in-class" weekly submissions until the end of week 12. There is a total of 10 weekly submission. On-campus students must complete and submit the scheduled work in their weekly workshop.


Return Date to Students

The weekly submissions will be marked and returned within 1 week of their submission.


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Practical questions in the weekly tutorial will be used to assess your understanding of the topics covered in that week. To be awarded marks, you are required to participate in all activities in the tutorial and submit the sample of work requested when you are instructed to do so during the class. Your tutor will monitor your progress in class. Be prepared to answer questions and to explain your work to your tutor in class. Each week is worth 1 mark.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Your tutor will give you more details about the submission requirements.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate performance of different algorithms in problem solving


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3 (Assignment)

Task Description

In this assignment, you are required to design, develop and test a software application that employs a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This assessment task requires you to apply topics studied in weeks 1-10. Further details are in the detailed assignment 2 specification available on the Moodle unit website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 11:55 pm AEST

Refer to the detailed specification on the unit website.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Tuesday (15 June 2021)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Design and Implementation
  2. Language Use
  3. Documentation
  4. Testing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit the zip file with the source code and the report file (.doc). Refer to the detailed specification on the unit website for more details

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design classes which use inheritance, polymorphism, and exception handling
  • Develop multi-layered software solutions, focusing on data structures and algorithms
  • Integrate data sets using complex data structures such as linked lists, stacks, and queues
  • Investigate socially innovative practices in software development
  • Create Lambda expressions and streams using functional programming.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Exam Conditions
Open Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?