Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera)

Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers (Coursera)

This course is the fourth course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C# programming language and the Unity game engine on Windows or Mac. Why use C# and Unity instead of some other language and game engine? Well, C# is a really good language for learning how to program and then programming professionally. Also, the Unity game engine is very popular with indie game developers; Unity games were downloaded 16,000,000,000 times in 2016! Finally, C# is one of the programming languages you can use in the Unity environment.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course assumes you have the prerequisite knowledge from the previous three courses in the specialization. You should make sure you have that knowledge, either by taking those previous courses or from personal experience, before tackling this course. Throughout this course you'll build on your foundational C# and Unity knowledge by developing more robust games with better object-oriented designs using various data structures and design patterns.
Data structures and design patterns are both general programming and software architecture topics that span all software, not just games. Although we'll discuss these ideas in the game domain, they also apply if you're writing a web app in ASP.NET, building a tool using WinForms, or any other software you decide to build.
Module 1: Explore a Dynamic Array data structure and learn the basics of algorithm analysis
Module 2: Learn about and use the common Linked List and Graph data structures
Module 3: Learn about and use several additional data structures: Stacks, Queues, and Trees
Module 4: Learn why design patterns are so useful and discover a number of design patterns useful in game development
Module 5: Complete final peer review
Course 4 of 4 in the C# Programming for Unity Game Development Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Dynamic Arrays and Algorithm Analysis

WEEK 2
Linked Lists and Graphs

WEEK 3
Stacks, Queues, and Trees

WEEK 4
Design Patterns

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Learn TypeScript (Coursera) Coursera
Scrimba

Learn TypeScript (Coursera)

Are you a proficient developer in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, looking to elevate your technical skillset? Have you observed an increasing demand for TypeScript in the professional job market and are keen to explore its significance? Are you in search of a programming language that offers ease in readability and debugging? If the answer to any of these questions is affirmative, then you have arrived at the optimal course to advance your career.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
¡A Programar! Una introducción a la programación (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh,Universidad ORT Uruguay

¡A Programar! Una introducción a la programación (Coursera)

¿Alguna vez pensaste en crear tus propios juegos de computadora, pero no tenías idea cómo hacerlo o por dónde comenzar? Este curso te enseñará a programar utilizando Scratch, un lenguaje de programación visual muy fácil de usar, y más importante aún, aprenderás los principios fundamentales de la computación para que comiences a pensar como ingeniero/a de software.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Games, Sensors and Media (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Games, Sensors and Media (Coursera)

You will learn to make fluid digital interactive experiences that are suitable for gaming and use the advanced sensor hardware built into the iPhone and iPad. This includes drawing 2D graphics, playing sounds and music, integrating with Game Center, the iOS physics engine and detecting device orientation and location.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems: Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Maryland, College Park

Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems: Part 2 (Coursera)

This course introduces you to the design and implementation of Android applications for mobile devices. You will build upon concepts from the prior course, including handling notifications, using multimedia and graphics and incorporating touch and gestures into your apps.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Algorithms, Part I (Coursera) Coursera
Princeton University

Algorithms, Part I (Coursera)

This course covers the essential information that every serious programmer needs to know about algorithms and data structures, with emphasis on applications and scientific performance analysis of Java implementations. Part I covers elementary data structures, sorting, and searching algorithms. Part II focuses on graph- and string-processing algorithms.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Programming with Scratch (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Programming with Scratch (Coursera)

Learning coding is not only about understanding the programming language being used, but also developing important computational thinking skills, which are useful for problem solving across many disciplinary areas. In this course, students will learn basic programming skills by creating interactive storybooks, animations, and games with Scratch, which is a block-based visual programming language for anyone new to coding.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Open Source Programming - Bachelor's (Coursera) Coursera
Illinois Tech

Open Source Programming - Bachelor's (Coursera)

Contemporary open-source programming languages and frameworks are presented in this course. Students will consider design and development topics in system, graphical user interface, network, and web programming. Dynamic scripting languages are covered using object-oriented, concurrent, and functional programming paradigms. Concepts gained throughout the course are reinforced with numerous exercises which will culminate in an open-source programming project.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Client Needs and Software Requirements (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Client Needs and Software Requirements (Coursera)

This course covers practical techniques to elicit and express software requirements from client interactions. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Create clear requirements to drive effective software development; visualize client needs using low-fidelity prototypes; maximize the effectiveness of client interactions - adapt to changing product requirements.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (Coursera)

This course will teach you how to design futureproof systems that meet the requirements of IoT systems: systems that are secure, interoperable, modifiable and scalable. Moreover, you'll learn to apply best-in-class software architecture methods to help you design complex IoT and other applications. Lastly, you'll come to understand the business impact of the technical decisions that you make as an IoT system architect.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Principles of fMRI 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University,University of Colorado Boulder

Principles of fMRI 2 (Coursera)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is the most widely used technique for investigating the living, functioning human brain as people perform tasks and experience mental states. It is a convergence point for multidisciplinary work from many disciplines. Psychologists, statisticians, physicists, computer scientists, neuroscientists, medical researchers, behavioral scientists, engineers, public health researchers, biologists, and others are coming together to advance our understanding of the human mind and brain. This course covers the analysis of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera)

This course delves into a variety of processes to structure software development. It also covers the foundations of core Agile practices, such as Extreme Programming and Scrum. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: distinguish between different process models for organizing software production; gauge the applicability of process models for a software development project; apply the fundamentals of Agile software development and management practices.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks