CSC 236: Data Structures Website, Berea College

Dr. Jan Pearce

Berea College Spring 2025 Offering

Day 32: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Day 32: In class

Introduction to L7: Measure and Analyze Sorting Algorithms
Begin T19: On Sorting.

Day 32: Outside of class

Read and get started on L7: Measure and Analyze Sorting Algorithms, which is our last lab! It is due Friday, April 18. To be successful on this lab, it is best to get started early and work on it a little bit each day. Some of the runs take a long time.
Assuming Runestone is up soon, do the following as well:
- Read Sections 8.1-8.10 in the main textbook if you haven’t already.
- Read Sections 8.11-8.19 in the main textbook in preparation for a possible reading quiz.

Day 31: Monday, March 31, 2025

Day 31: In class

Art Show!
Peer Instruction question
Complete T18: Hash Functions and Collisions.

Day 31: Outside of class

For Wednesday, read Sections 8.1-8.10 in the main textbook in preparation for a possible reading quiz.

Day 30: Friday, March 28, 2025

Day 30: In class

Possible quiz or PI
Final questions on the lab L6: Recursive Art. Lab completion is due on Monday, March 31.
Begin T18: Hash Functions and Collisions.

Day 30: Outside of class

Complete the lab L6: Recursive Art by Monday, March 31.

Day 29: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Day 29: In class

Possible quiz or PI
Questions on the lab L6: Recursive Art. The final milestone is due on Monday, March 31.
Complete T17: Exploring Hashing.

Day 29: Outside of class

For Friday, read Chapter 7 in the main textbook on sorting in preparation for a potential reading quiz or PI question on Friday.

Day 28: Monday, March 24, 2025

Day 28: In class

Possible quiz or PI
Questions on the lab L6: Recursive Art. The final milestone is due in one week.
Complete T16: Searching

Day 28: Outside of class

Complete A08: What is Hashing? which is due on Wednesday.
For Friday, read Chapter 7 in the main textbook on sorting in preparation for a potential reading quiz or PI question on Friday.

Day 27: Friday, March 21, 2025

Day 27: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question or quiz
Discussion of L6: Recursive Art. (Milestone 2 is due Monday, March 24.)
Complete T15: Understanding Recursion

Day 27: Outside of class

Complete milestone 2 of L6: Recursive Art.

Day 26: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Day 26: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question or quiz
Discussion of L6: Recursive Art. (Milestone 2 is due Monday, March 24.)
Begin T15: Understanding Recursion

Day 26: Outside of class

Read Chapter 6 in the main textbook to learn about recursion, the topic of our next lab.

Day 25: Monday, March 17, 2025

Day 25: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question or quiz
Debrief on L5: Binary Addition.
Introduction of the next lab, L6: Recursive Art.
Complete T14: Exploring Recursion.

Day 25: Outside of class

Complete planning doc and Milestone 1 of L6: Recursive Art.

Day 24: Friday, March 14, 2025

Day 24: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question
Questions on L5: Binary Addition.
Begin T14: Exploring Recursion.

Day 24: Outside of class

Complete L5: Binary Addition.
Read Chapter 5 in the main textbook to learn about recursion, the topic of our next lab.

Day 23: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Day 23: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question
Discuss A06: Considering Diversity in Tech
Questions on L5: Binary Addition.
Complete T13: Circling Back to Circular Linked Lists.

Day 23: Outside of class

Complete second milestone of L5: Binary Addition which is due on Friday.
Complete and submit A07: Thinking Recursively which also is due on Friday.

Day 22: Monday, March 10, 2025

Day 22: In class

Post-Spring break check-in
Possible peer instruction question
Discuss L5: Binary Addition. Reminder that the second milestone is due Friday.
Begin T13: Circling Back to Circular Linked Lists.

Day 22: Outside of class

Complete A06: Considering Diversity in Tech
Begin coding in L5: Binary Addition in order to meet the second milestone on Friday.

Enjoy your Spring Break!

Day 21: Friday, February 28, 2025

Day 21: In class

Possible Peer Instruction question
Discuss L5: Binary Addition.
Complete T12: Exploring Linked Lists.

Day 21: Outside of class

Complete the first milestone of L5: Binary Addition.

Day 20: Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Day 20: In class

PI or quiz on reading
Discuss L4: The Game of War.
Complete T11: Introduction to Circular Linked Lists

Day 20: Outside of class

For Friday: Complete A05: A Simple Introduction To Linked Lists.
Also, for Friday Complete final milestone of L4: The Game of War.

Day 19: Monday, February 24, 2025

Day 19: In class

Discuss L4: The Game of War.
Watch Linked Lists Explained in 60 Seconds! and Linked lists in 4 minutes
Begin T11: Introduction to Circular Linked Lists

Day 19: Outside of class

For Wednesday: Read Chapter 4 in our Data Structures textbook
For Friday: Complete A05: A Simple Introduction To Linked Lists.
Also, for Friday Complete final milestone of L4: The Game of War.

Announcement: Exam E1 will be Friday, February 21, 2025

Day 18: Friday, February 21, 2025

Day 18: In class

Exam E1 - in class:

The exam will be all on paper and a mixture of question types (True/False, Multiple choice, and short answer)
Peerwise is a good resource for studying because I try to draw questions from there, but it is not sufficient. The other best things to study are the textbook and the teamworks.
The exam will primarily focus on data structures, but be prepared to write and use a small C++ class that is written as an ADT. I recommend you study the Fraction Class, the Dog class, the Byte class for examples. This will be on paper with no access to the internet.

Day 18: Outside of class

For Friday, study for the exam.
For Monday, complete Milestone 2 of L4: The Game of War.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

No class - Classes CANCELLED

If we had class, I would have discussed the upcoming midterm exam which is Friday.
- The exam will be all on paper and a mixture of question types (True/False, Multiple choice, and short answer)
- Peerwise is a good resource for studying because I try to draw questions from there, but it is not sufficient. The other best things to study are the textbook and the teamworks.
- The exam will primarily focus on data structures, but be prepared to write and use a small C++ class that is written as an ADT. I recommend you study the Fraction Class, the Dog class, the Byte class for examples. This will be on paper with no access to the internet.

Outside of class

For Friday, study for the exam.
For Monday, complete Milestone 2 of L4: The Game of War.

Day 17: Monday, February 17, 2025

Day 17: In class

Debrief on L3: Virtual Pets.
Introduction to L4: The Game of War
Complete structured review TR1: E1 Review
- Submit your pdf to Moodle
- Submit your questions to Peerwise asap but for certain by 8 am tomorrow (Tuesday, February 18, 2025)
- Note that due to the nature of this teamwork, it cannot be completed late or alone.
Announce homework

Day 17: Outside of class

Read the lab and complete Milestone 1 including the design document submission for L4: The Game of War. Note that in past years students have found debugging this lab to be challenging, but completing the design document and meeting the first milestone is not difficult.

Day 16: Friday, February 14, 2025

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Day 16: In class

Possible PI question or quiz on chapter 3
Final questions on L3: Virtual Pets?
Complete and submit T09: Planets, Big O, and Θ

Day 16: Outside of class

Complete A04: Individual Review and Reflection Note that due to the nature of this assignment, it will not be accepted late under any circumstances.
Final completion of L3: Virtual Pets is due Monday.
Note that the next lab is posted. Milestone 1 including the design document submission for L4: The Game of War is due on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Day 15: Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Day 15: In class

Peer Instruction question or quiz
Questions on L3: Virtual Pets.
Begin T09: Planets, Big O, and Θ

Day 15: Outside of class

Read Sections 3.10-3.22 in our Data Structures textbook by 8 am Friday.
Final completion of L3: Virtual Pets is due Monday, so keep working on it!

Day 14: Monday, February 10, 2025

Day 14: In class

PI Question
Questions on L3: Virtual Pets
Complete T08: How Long will this Take?.

Day 14: Outside of class

Read Sections 3.1-3.9 in our Data Structures textbook in preparation for a possible reading quiz.

Day 13: Friday, February 7, 2025

Day 13: In class

Peer Instruction question or Quiz
Questions on L3: Virtual Pets.
Complete T07: Measuring Algorithmic Efficiency.

Day 13: Outside of class

Complete Milestone 2 of L3: Virtual Pets. This means to try to complete all of the coding. (It might not yet be fully working.)

Day 12: Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Day 12: In class

PI or Quiz on Chapter 2 on Big O
Discuss L3: Virtual Pets.
Explanation of Exponentials and Logarithms
Begin and try to complete T07: Measuring Algorithmic Efficiency.

Day 12: Outside of class

Complete at least Milestone 1 of L3: Virtual Pets. Note that this Milestone is larger than previous first milestones, so you be sure to start early.
If necessary, complete all of the individual runs of T07: Measuring Algorithmic Efficiency so you can come to class Friday ready to discuss each one.

Day 11: Monday, February 3, 2025

Day 11: In class

Peer Instruction question on A03.
Discuss A03: Videos and Blogs on Big O.
Questions on L2: Bytes
Introduction of L3: Virtual Pets, possibly find a partner. The first milestone is due Friday.
Complete T06: Understanding OOP and ADTs.

Day 11: Outside of class

Read L3: Virtual Pets, possibly find a partner and bring questions to class on Wednesday. The first milestone is due Friday.
Complete L2: Bytes
Read Chapter 2 Reading on Big O and do all activities in preparation for a potential reading quiz. This is one of the most important topics in the entire course; you might try to find time to read it twice!

Day 10: Friday, January 31, 2025

Day 10: In class

possible quiz or PI question
Discuss L2: Bytes which is due Monday.
Discuss T05: Dice Rolls
Begin T06: Understanding OOP and ADTs.

Day 10: Outside of class

Complete A03: Videos and Blogs on Big O. Note that this is an introduction to the most and most conceptually difficult concept in the course. It IS due Monday, but the lab completion is extended to Wednesday.
Keep debugging L2: Bytes which I have extended to Wednesday.

Day 9: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Day 9: In class

PI question as a learning check
Change partners
Discuss A02: AI and Learning
Questions on L2: Bytes. The second milestone is due Friday, and the full lab is due Monday.
Complete and submit T05: Dice Rolls

Day 9: Outside of class

If you have time, begin A03: Videos and Blogs on Big O. Note that this is an introduction to the most and most conceptually difficult concept in the course. It is due Monday, but so is the lab completion.
Complete milestone 2 of L2: Bytes by Friday.

Day 8: Monday, January 27, 2025

Day 8: In class

Peer Instruction question
Questions on L2: Bytes.
Begin T05: Dice Rolls, which we will likely need to complete next time.

Day 8: Outside of class

Complete A02: AI and Learning
Try to complete some of the methods in L2: Bytes.

Day 7: Friday, January 25, 2025

Day 7: In class

Art Show!
Discuss A01: OOP Principles.
Complete T04: Fraction Class Understanding and Enhancement

Day 7: Outside of class

Begin L2: Bytes. This is an individual lab that has Milestone 1 due this coming Monday, the second milestone due Friday, and the full lab due on Monday, February 3.
Complete and submit T04: Fraction Class Understanding and Enhancement if you did not finish in class.

Day 6: Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Day 6: In class

Discuss all questions posted on Slack in advance about Chapter 1 on OOP
Possible quiz on the Chapter 1 reading
Discuss L1: Loopy Graphics with C-Turtle
Begin T04: Fraction Class Understanding and Enhancement

Day 6: Outside of class

Read, complete, and submit A01: OOP Principles for Friday.
Complete L1: Loopy Graphics with C-Turtle.

Day 5: Friday, January 17, 2025

Day 5: In class

Art show! Share your ASCII art with the class.
Demo of debugging in Visual Studio
Complete Teamwork T03: Debugging Techniques.

Day 5: Outside of class (There is no class on Monday, so these are due before class on Wednesday, January 22, 2025)

Read Chapter 1 on OOP in preparation for a potential reading quiz. Be sure to go through Moodle to get credit.
Read L1: Loopy Graphics with C-Turtle and do the first milestone (due Wednesday). The final submission is due Friday.
If you haven’t already done so, complete Teamwork T03: Debugging Techniques.

Day 4: Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Day 4: In class

Possible quiz or peer instruction question
In Runestone change courses to BC_cppds_S25. We will have a reading out of this book for Monday.
Questions on L0: ASCII-Art which is due Friday. (Reminders about escaping backslashes and quotes.)
Complete and submit Teamwork T02: Collaboration via Branches with a partner in class.
Finished with the teamwork? Work on L0: ASCII-Art.

Day 4: Outside of class

Complete L0: ASCII-Art. The final submission is due on Friday.
The next textbook reading is on object-oriented programming in C++ in the main textbook for the course. It is a bit longer than the readings in the transition book, and you may find it more conceptually challenging. Again, you will need to be logged in to Moodle to get credit for the reading. The reading is on the latter part of Chapter 1 in the Runestone book BC_cppds_S25 and is due Wednesday, January 22, 2025. See Chapter 1 on OOP

Day 3: January 13, 2025

Day 3: In class

Possible quiz
Discussion of Teamwork T01: Visual Studio, Github, and ASCII Art
Discuss L0: ASCII-Art which is due Friday, but the first milestone is due Wednesday. (Read the hints in the lab on escaping backslashes and quotes!)
show primer on branches in Github
Begin Teamwork T02: Collaboration via Branches with a partner in class.

Day 3: Outside of class

Read Chapters 6, 7, and 8 in C++ for Python Programmers for a possible reading quiz next class. Be sure you are logged in and do all activities to get credit!
Complete the first milestone for L0: ASCII-Art. The final submission is due on Friday.
Fix any challenges you have had with the first two readings by going through Moodle NOT Runestone Academy. See your grades in Moodle and make them perfect by doing everything!

Day 2: Friday, January 10, 2025

Day 2: In class

Possible quiz or peer instruction question
Debrief on data structures game, installations, C++, the syllabus, and the AI policy in particular
Watch Github Copilot in Visual Studio Community
Discuss the implications for you as a student and as a future professional
Did you sign up for Github Student Developer Pack? Note that it might take three or more days to get this, so don’t fret since we do not need it and you are likely better off not using it for the first lab.
Try to complete, then download, and submit Teamwork T01: Visual Studio, Github, and ASCII Art

Day 2: Outside of class (all due 8 am before class on Monday, January 13, 2025)

Finish up and submit Teamwork T01: Visual Studio, Github, and ASCII Art
Read Chapters 3, 4,and 5 in C++ for Python Programmers for a potential reading quiz next class. Be sure you are logged in and do all activities to get credit!
Begin L0: ASCII-Art. This is an individual Lab. The first milestone is due Wednesday, January 15, 2024. The final completion milestone of the lab is due Friday, January 17, 2024.

Day 1: Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Day 1: In class

Welcome!
List all of the data structures you used in Python
What is data structures about? And what is it NOT about?
Read the first part of The Impact of AI on Computer Science Education
Discussion of course: content, texts, syllabus, flow, other ideas
Sign up for our first text: C++ for Python Programmers. Be sure to use (or make) the login from your Berea email and Berea username and then sign-up for the book BC_cpp4py_S25. (Note that the account you used in CSC 226 should be fine as long as the email address is your Berea College one.)
Data structures game

Day 1: Outside of class (all due by 8 am of our next class day):

Complete A00:Getting Started and submit to Moodle. Note that there are 6 tasks, some of which will take some time:
1. Help us get to know you better
2. Connect Data Structures to your career
3. Set-up your Required IDE (this will take some time!)
4. Read the syllabus to understand the course structure
5. Read both Chapters 1 and 2 of C++ for Python Programmers and the course syllabus in preparation for a potential reading quiz.
6. Introduce yourself to the class and the TAs on Slack