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Course syllabus - Data Structures, Algorithms and Program Development with Python

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

DVA245

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

First cycle

Progressive Specialisation

G1F (First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Computer Science

Organisation

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Ratified

2020-01-24

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2023-11-08
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Reference Literature

    Canning, John; Broder, Alan J.; Lafore, Robert

    Data structures & algorithms in Python

    ISBN: 9780134855684

    LIBRIS-ID: wdxgpg3gtvxw5kcr

    Boston, Addison-Wesley Professional, xxix, 886 pages

Objectives

This course will give a deeper skill in the problem solving area of computer science, by working with abstract data types.

Learning outcomes

After fulfilling the course, the student should:

  1. be able to use abstract data types in programming assignments
  2. be able to define and implement abstract data types when given informal problem statements
  3. be able to implement algorithms given descriptions as pseudocode
  4. be sufficiently familiar with some common algorithms for sorting and searching to be able to implement a thus far unkown variant of the algorithm based on an informal description of the change
  5. be familiar with the concept of time complexity, and be able to compute the time complexity on some simple code
  6. be sufficiently familiar with some specific abstract data types in order to be able to add new operations on theses. Some examples of such abstract data types are dynamic lists, direct access lists various seach data structures, graphs

Course content

Abstract data types, dynamic data structures, search- and sorting agorithms. Time complexity for algorithms.

Specific requirements

A basic course in programming with Python of 7,5 credits or corresponding.

Examination

Laboratory work (LAB1), 4,5 credits, examines the learning objectives 1-4 and 6, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Written examination (TEN1), 3 credits, examines the learning objectives 1-6, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with DVA104 Data Structures, Algorithms and Program Development and DVA244 Data Structures, Algorithms and Program Development with C.