I enjoy teaching AP Computer Science A (Java Programming) because it is such a valuable course for students. It enhances students’ problem-solving and abstraction abilities. They build analytical skills that are valuable in computer science, in other courses, and in life. Of course, students also increase their computer science and programming skills, skills that are needed in an ever-increasing array of college courses and workplaces. It’s wonderful to share in their joy as they solve programming exercises. The content and objectives of my AP Computer Science A course include the course objectives for AP Computer Science A as described in the AP Computer Science Course Description. This course focuses on an object-oriented approach to problem solving using Java. It includes the study of common algorithms and the use of some of Java’s built-in classes and interfaces for basic data structures. I expect all my students to take the AP Computer Science A Examination (they will need to register with their local high school or this). The students and I work hard during the year to assure that every student has an opportunity to achieve a qualifying score on the exam. Students’ course grades correlate strongly with their AP Examination grades.

The course is based on numerous problem-solving exercises, labs, and case studies, which require students to design and implement Java classes. The course requires 40-50 hours of hands-on work in a computer lab. Course Objectives include:

*Understand and apply the main principles of object-oriented software design and programming: classes and objects, constructors, methods, instance and static variables, inheritance, class hierarchies, and polymorphism

*Learn to code fluently in Java in a well-structured fashion and in good style; learn to pay attention to code clarity and documentation

*Learn to use Java library packages and classes within the scope of the AP Java subset

*Understand the concept of an algorithm; implement algorithms in Java using conditional and iterative control structures and recursion

*Learn to select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve a given problem

*Compare efficiency of alternative solutions to a given problem

*Learn common searching and sorting algorithms: Sequential Search and Binary Search; Selection Sort, Insertion Sort, and Mergesort

*Understand one- and two-dimensional arrays, the List interface, and the ArrayList class, and use them appropriately in programming projects

*Acquire skills in designing object-oriented software solutions to problems from various application areas

*Discuss ethical and social issues related to the use of computers

*Prepare for the AP Computer Science A exam; meet all of the curricular requirements defined by the College Board for this course.