Algorithms and data

Module overview

This second-year module builds on students’ mathematical and coding skills gained at an introductory level. Through this module, students build on the knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles and practical skills necessary for developing efficient algorithms to solve problems in biomedical engineering, including their implementation using a high-level programming language. These principles and skills are essential to graduates in biomedical engineering since real-world programs consist of algorithms that operate on data elements possessing an underlying structure. Selecting appropriate computational solutions to real-world problems requires understanding the theoretical and practical capabilities and limitations of available algorithms including their impact on the environment and society.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

design data structures and algorithms appropriate to a particular biomedical engineering problem.
empirically evaluate the performance of algorithms for a given dataset.
implement given data structures and algorithms.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the basic principles of writing software to process biomedical data using appropriate algorithms and data structures.
the fundamentals of algorithms and data structures, including time and space complexity analysis; and

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

select the most appropriate algorithmic strategies for a particular problem
evaluate the complexity of algorithms.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

In-person lectures and tutorials. Computer labs. Individual study.

Study time
Type	Hours
Practical classes and workshops	12
Wider reading or practice	44
Assessment tasks	24
Revision	10
Lecture	36
Preparation for scheduled sessions	24
Total study time	150

Assessment

Assessment strategy

The module is assessed by a combination practical code review the final examination.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	85%
Assessed Practicals	15%