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 - 2022

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 evaluations and feedback

Feedback

Assessment: Students found the assignments challenging, but also engaging and relevant.

Recommendation

Continue to provide challenging and interesting assessment items.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Content: In some weeks there is too much material to cover in the lectures.

Recommendation

Review the weekly content to identify where content can be removed and/or important concepts highlighted.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Review textbook to identify if a single textbook is available that covers both the introductory topics in COIT20245 and the advanced topics in this unit.

Recommendation

Review textbook to identify if a single textbook is available that covers this unit and COIT20245.

Feedback from Feedback from the students and the teaching team

Feedback

Some students continue to find this unit challenging and would appreciate additional support.

Recommendation

Investigate options for providing additional support for students.

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

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

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • JDK 11 - OpenJDK
  • Apache NetBeans IDE 12.4 (available from https://netbeans.apache.org/download/nb124/nb124.html)
  • Scene Builder 12 or later available from https://gluonhq.com/products/scene-builder/
  • MySQL Community Server 8.0.26 (available from https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/)
  • JavaFX 11.0.12 (available from https://gluonhq.com/products/javafx/)
Referencing Style

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

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Chiou Unit Coordinator
a.chiou@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 07 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Classes and Objects: A Deeper Look

Chapter

8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 14 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Inheritance

Chapter

9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 21 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Polymorphism and Interfaces

Chapter

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Class Activity 1 Due: Week 3
Friday (25 Mar2022) 11.45 pm AEST

Week 4 Begin Date: 28 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

JavaFX GUI and Event-Driven Programming

Chapter

12 and 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Class Activity 2 Due:  Week 4
Friday (1 Apr 2022) 11.45 pm AEST

Week 5 Begin Date: 04 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Exception Handling, Files, and Streams

Chapter

11 and 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Class Activity 3 Due: Week 5
Friday (8 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Vacation Week Begin Date: 11 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Recursion

Chapter

18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignmment 1 Due: Week 6 Friday (22 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 25 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

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

Chapter

16

Events and Submissions/Topic

Class Activity 4 Due: Week 7
Friday (29 Apr 2022) 11.45 pm AEST

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 May 2022

Module/Topic

Lambdas and Streams

Chapter

17 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Class Activity 5 Due: Week 8
Friday (6 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 May 2022

Module/Topic

Accessing Database with JDBC

Chapter

24

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 May 2022

Module/Topic

Generic Classes and Methods, Sorting and Algorithmic Efficiency

Chapter

20 and 19 Section 19.3 and Lecture Notes

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 May 2022

Module/Topic

Graphs and applications

Chapter

Lecture Notes

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2 Due: Week 11 Friday (27 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 30 May 2022

Module/Topic

Implementing Stacks, Queues and Binary Search Tree

Chapter

21

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 06 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator: Dr. Andrew Chiou

email: a.chiou@cqu.edu.au

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignmment 1

Task Description

In this assignment you will analyse the given problem, model and design data structures using UML class diagrams, and develop a software solution applying the Object-Oriented programming concepts of classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. You will also design and develop a graphical user interface (GUI) for the software solution applying event-driven programming. You will use exception handling to deal with errors and persist data writing to a file. This assessment task is to design, code, debug, and test a software application using the topics learnt in Weeks 1 - 5. Further details are in the Assignment 1 specification document available from the Unit website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (22 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback on assignment will be returned to students within two weeks after submission date.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Correct analysis of given case study, appropriate choice and design of data structures for application development.
  2. Correct application of  classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and exception handling.
  3. Demonstration of socially innovative practices in software development.
  4. Practice of data persistence by writing data to a file.
  5. Implementation  of Graphical User Interface (GUI) following user interface design guidelines.
  6. Effective use of good coding practices.
  7. Rigorous testing of software applications.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit one .zip file containing the source code files (.java) and the report file (.doc). Do not submit the zipped project folder or compiled binaries (.class or .jar).

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
Class Activities

Task Description

This assessment item is to be developed and submitted as part of your weekly workshop sessions. It consists of a series of 5 practicals to be completed in weeks 3 – 8 (inclusive), except Week 6. You complete and submit the required tasks shown in your tutorial by end of the corresponding week before the due date given in the Weekly Schedule. Each submission has two marks allocated.



Assessment Due Date

Submit before the due date shown in the Weekly Schedule


Return Date to Students

The marked submissions will be returned to you after a week from the date of submission.


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Correct completion of required tutorial tasks.
  2. Correct application of the theoretical aspects applicable to the task.
  3. Adherence to good coding practices.
  4. Timely completion and submission of activity.



Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit source code files (.java) and document files as instructed in the required Weekly tasks to be completed.

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
Assignment 2

Task Description

In this assignment, you are required to analyse the given problem, model and design the required data structures using UML class diagrams, and complex data structures such as linked lists, queues, and streams. You will develop a software application having a three tiered architecture with a front-end interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI), the middle layer implementing the business logic, and the back-end database storing necessary data. You will practice paired programming in your software development task. You will individually prepare and submit a report documenting testing, team work experience, and theoretical aspects applied in developing the application. This assessment task includes design, document, develop code, debug , and test a software application applying topics learnt in Weeks 1 - 10. Further details are in the Assignment 2 specification document available from the Unit website .


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (27 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback on assignment will be returned to students within two weeks after submission date.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Efficient use of complex data structures and stream processing.
  2. Evaluation of  a variety of data structures and algorithmic approaches.
  3. Correct implementation of a programmatically created database.
  4. Effective use of good programming practice/techniques.
  5. Rigorous testing of software application
  6. Demonstration of  socially innovative practices in software development
  7. Practice of paired programming.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit one zip file containing the source code files (.java) per group and the individual report file (.doc) by each member of the group. Do not submit the zipped project folder or compiled binaries(.class or .jar).

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
Law dictionaries, Business and Law dictionaries (discipline specific dictionaries) are authorised.
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
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?