Distributed Computing
ETH Zurich

Coding Algorithms for a Scavenger Hunt (HS 2025)

This P&S provides insights into various topics and challenges in the form of a scavenger hunt. In a practical and interactive session, you solve challenging tasks by coming up with innovative approaches and algorithms. This will require you to think outside the box, to implement and test ideas in Python code, and to learn how to use technical tools for rapid development.

In this lab, you can learn about various topics such as cryptography, game theory, algorithm design, and Python coding. After attending this course, you should be better equipped to tackle unfamiliar problems - gaining the necessary background and applying the right technical expertise to solve such problems in practice.

Prerequisites This course has prerequsites: (1) Students should be able to write python code. Attending the Computational Thinking lecture is enough. We expect students to understand the basics of Python (e.g., lists, control structures, functions) and be able to implement ideas in code. Specifically, understanding the concepts of this Python Cheat Sheet is a must.

Sessions In each session, students work independently or in small groups to solve challenges given by the scavenger hunt. In a Python notebook, the challenges are introduced and students need to come up with the appropriate solution and implement it with code. There are going to be TAs present at every session, answering students' questions and providing guidance where necessary.

Attendance Attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences will result in failing the lab. If you have a good excuse why you cannot attend a session (e.g., doctor's note, military service), send an email to Joël Mathys.

Challenge Winners The top submissions for each challenge receive a small reward. Winners will be contacted directly.

Project There will be a project component introduced in the third session. Students can work in teams of at most 2 people to come up with their own challenge. Specific requirements will be announced in the session.

Time 5 sessions starting Wednesday 29.10.2024 until end of November, 14:00-18:00. Please be on time and sign in, or your attendance will not be counted. The session lasts until 18:00. If you would like to leave early, you must show your completed challenges to a TA. If you leave early without having your notebook checked by a TA, your attendance will not be counted.

Place ETZ E9

Language English

Registration Link link. Please contact Joël Mathys for further information.

Hardware Bring your preferred coding device. No local software codings installations are required, connection to the internet should be sufficient.

Passing Requirements TBA

News

Schedule

Lab Date Material Head TA Session TAs
Challenge Session I (challenge introduction) 29th of October Cash Website Joël Mathys Fabian Hauser
Challenge Session II 5th of November Cash Website Joël Mathys Fabian Hauser
Challenge Session III (project introduction) 12th of November Cash Website Joël Mathys Fabian Hauser
Challenge Session IV 19th of November Cash Website Joël Mathys Fabian Hauser
Challenge Session V (project presentation) 26th of November Cash Website Joël Mathys Fabian Hauser

Resources

Project Overview

Explanation: Below you can track the status of all student projects.

Project Status indicates whether the project has been submitted and the review status. Under review indicates there is either an issue with the task (it does not build or run) or an issue with the report. Task Status shows the state of the project implementation (does it build/run correctly). Report Status shows the state of the project report.

Project Title Project Status Task Status Report Status
alphabetsoup Under review Under review (build failed) Received
communication Deployed Deployed Received
decrypt Deployed Deployed Received
fourier Deployed Deployed Received
hearandseek Deployed Deployed Received
kanyeeast Under review Under review (build failed) Received
lostinspace Deployed Deployed Received
marsrover Deployed Deployed Received
mazerunner Under review Under review (build failed) Received
morsecode Deployed Deployed Received
networking Deployed Deployed Received
neuralcipher Deployed Deployed Received
skyline Deployed Deployed Received
spacesignal Deployed Deployed Received
zoopark Under review Under review (build failed) Received

Last updated: 2025-12-22 10:38:47

Submission

Please submit your projects to this Polybox folder.

Upload separately:

Naming convention:

Note: If the status of your project does not update after 48 hours, consider reaching out to the TA team.