Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithmic Foundations

This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Build a strong foundation in data structures and algorithms to confidently tackle coding interviews and real-world problem solving. You will learn how to analyze time and space complexity, apply Big O notation, and understand how efficient code impacts performance. Through hands-on practice, you will strengthen your logical thinking and develop a problem-solving mindset essential for technical roles. The course begins with an introduction to coding interview preparation using Leetcode, guiding you on how to approach problems strategically. It then dives deep into time and space complexity, covering both theoretical concepts and practical examples, including recursive cases and live demonstrations to reinforce your understanding. As you progress, you will explore core data structures such as arrays, linked lists, and hash tables, learning their strengths, limitations, and real-world applications. Each section is paired with carefully selected problems, including popular interview questions like Two Sum, Maximum Subarray, and Linked List Cycle, enabling you to apply concepts effectively. This course is ideal for aspiring software engineers, students, and professionals preparing for coding interviews. Basic programming knowledge is recommended, and the course is designed at a beginner to intermediate level for gradual skill development. By the end of the course, you will be able to analyze algorithm efficiency, solve complex coding problems using key data structures, and confidently approach technical interviews with optimized solutions.