COS 226

Algorithms and Data Structures

Undergraduate catalogue

This course surveys the most important algorithms and data structures in use on computers today. It emphasizes algorithms and data structures for sorting, searching, and graphs. The course concentrates on developing implementations, understanding their performance characteristics, and estimating their effectiveness in applications. Prerequisites: COS 126 or approval by the COS placement officer.

Fall 2026

Topics

Union-find
Algorithm analysis
Stacks and queues
Sorting algorithms
Priority queues
Search trees
Hash tables
Graphs and digraphs
Minimum spanning trees
Shortest paths
Dynamic programming
Reductions and intractability
Multiplicative weights
Algorithm design

Readings

Algorithms
Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne · 4th · Assigned readings

Prerequisites & course information

COS 126 or approval by the COS placement officer.

Sources

Course catalogue ↗2026-2027
Official public course page or syllabus ↗Fall 2026