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Unit of study_
COMP5270: Randomised and Advanced Algorithms
2025 unit information
This unit of study will provide a rigorous introduction to a range of techniques and paradigms central to modern algorithm design, with a focus on randomised algorithms. The unit will emphasise the theoretical underpinnings of these algorithms and their mathematical guarantees, and provide intuition and understanding through a range of practical applications and examples such as probabilistic data structures, hashing, approximation algorithms, and streaming algorithms.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Computer Science |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
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COMP9123 or COMP2123 or COMP2823 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
COMP4270 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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COMP3027 or equivalent; discrete mathematics and probability (e.g. MATH1064 or equivalent) |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Produce a clear account of an algorithm, that would allow others to understand and implement it
- LO2. Learn about new algorithms by searching for descriptions in textbooks or online
- LO3. Read, understand, analyze and modify a given algorithm. Ability to design efficient algorithmic solutions for given problems and evaluate the proposal
- LO4. Analyze the complexity of a given algorithm, in terms of the different computational resources involved (time, memory, etc.)
- LO5. Understand the fundamental concepts of randomisation and randomness in computing
- LO6. Knowledge and mastery of key techniques to design and analyse randomised algorithms.
- LO7. Apply knowledge of fundamental randomized algorithms and algorithmic techniques to several problems, especially streaming, optimization, scheduling, and graph problems.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
There are no availabilities for previous years.
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
Additional advice
This unit requires departmental permission to ensure foundational knowledge. If the prerequisite unit/s were completed at the University of Sydney, your request will be approved without supporting documentation being required. If you have completed studies at another institution, please include your transcript when submitting your permission request for review by the Faculty.
