Software Interview Preparation

Computer Science • Grade 12 – University Senior+

Overview

Cracking software engineering interviews goes beyond the memorization of concepts. It demands a profound understanding and the ability to apply Data Structures and Algorithms (DS&A) in a dynamic problem-solving environment.

Welcome to uPrep Academy’s comprehensive course, “Mastering DS&A for Software Engineering Interviews”, your tool to gain a deep understanding of these fundamental coding concepts. This course is not just about helping you memorize theories; it’s about equipping you with the necessary skills to analyze and solve any problem that might come your way.

Our curriculum covers a wide spectrum of DS&A, from basics like arrays and linked lists to advanced data structures such as trees, heaps, and graphs. We also delve into critical algorithms, their applications, and analysis, providing a robust foundation for problem-solving.

The course prioritizes the practical application of these concepts through interactive lessons and hands-on practice. This focus on application enhances your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing you for various challenging interview scenarios, whether they be at a leading tech company or an exciting start-up.

Beyond mastering technical skills, this course helps you develop effective communication strategies. You’ll learn to articulate your thought process and solutions clearly and convincingly, a crucial aspect of any successful interview.

This course is primarily taught in C++ and Python as they are the 2 most commonly used languages in back-end jobs, but these skills are easily transferable to other languages.

Whether you’re a coding novice or an experienced programmer, this course provides an enriching learning experience that refines your skills and prepares you for the competitive landscape of software engineering interviews.

What You’ll Learn

Objective

  1. Understand Fundamentals: Gain a comprehensive understanding of fundamental and advanced Data Structures and Algorithms. You will be able to apply these easily in C++ and Python. 
  2. Problem-Solving Skills: Develop strong problem-solving skills and learn to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios.
  3. Algorithm Analysis: Master the analysis of algorithms in terms of their time and space complexity.
  4. Hands-On Practice: Engage in regular hands-on practice with problems that reflect the type of questions asked in software engineering interviews. We provide helpful tips using standard Python / C++ libraries that will make you look like a pro!
  5. Communication Skills: Improve your ability to articulate your thought process, methodologies, and solutions clearly during interviews.
  6. Interview Strategies: Learn effective strategies for handling technical and behavioral questions in interviews.
  7. Continuous Learning: Instill a mindset of continuous learning, adapting to new challenges and evolving technologies.

Certification

Included with this class is a Data Structures and Algorithm certification that you can use on your resumes and university applications. There will be a final exam that you will need to pass to attain this certification. More information will be given in class!

Syllabus

Note that topics may be taught slightly out of order (as classes are tailored for the students) but the total amount of content covered will be the same.

Problem Solving / General Tips:
  • How to approach interview problems
  • Proper communication
  • Debugging and Testing Strategies
  • Big O Notation
Arrays / String Basics:
  • Pointers, iterators and multi-pointer tricks
  • Palindromes and substrings
  • Frequency arrays, prefix sums and difference arrays
  • Basic sorts and implementation
  • Searching fundamentals
Stack, Queue, Linked List:
  • Implementation
  • Strategies with data structures
  • Applications
  • Monotone Stack / Queue
Graph Intro:
  • Graph & Tree Standard Terminology
  • Basic Traversal: BFS and DFS
  • String Trie
  • Graph Question Strategies & Tree Properties
Problem Solving Methodologies:
  • Complete Search / Recursive Backtracking
  • Recursion Optimization
  • Greedy Algorithms
  • Divide and Conquer Algorithms
  • Dynamic Programming
Hashing, Hash-map/set and Heaps:
  • Hashing overview – implementation of a polynomial rolling hash
  • Using hashmaps and hash-sets
  • Overview of implementation
  • General application strategies
Math:
  • Primality
  • Probability
  • Modulo Arithmetic
  • Pigeonhole Principle
  • Basic Number Theory
Geometry:
  • Floating point strategies
  • Lines and basic shapes
  • Convex Hull
Pricing

40 CAD per hour

 

Details

Grade 12 - University Senior+

43.5 Hours

Offered Year-Round

Timetable (Fall)

Session 1 (Wed / Sat): 

  • 6:00 PT – 7:30 PT
  • 7:00 MT – 8:30 MT
  • 8:00 CT – 9:30 CT
  • 9:00 ET – 10:30 ET

Session 2 (Thu / Sun):

  • 3:30 PT – 5:00 PT
  • 4:30 MT – 6:00 MT
  • 5:30 CT – 7:00 CT
  • 6:30 ET – 8:00 ET
Prerequisites

Good understanding of either C++ or Python