This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
In this approved AP course, students work with data and learn the skills of computing, problem-solving, programming, cybersecurity, and more. Prepare your student for the AP test, to earn college credit — or simply give your student AP credit on his or her transcript!
Total classes: 28
Prerequisite: It is recommended that students have completed a first-year high school algebra class and have grasped an understanding of algebraic reasoning and problem-solving. It is important to understand that computer science builds on a foundation of mathematical reasoning. Students should have a general familiarity with computers – the ability to open applications, use menu-driven commands, and type using the keyboard – so that the emphasis of time can be placed on specific programming lessons and computer science topics. Additionally, the AP curriculum strives to make the course understandable for those with little background in coding or computer science. Because of this emphasis, 30% of the AP Exam consists of creating reports or documentation (in written, video, mp3 file formats).
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
Suggested credit: One full semester AP Computer Science Principles
Description
The course is designed to give students foundational computer science practice and experience at a college level. Students will have two software options for the course: option one – the Mobile CSP curriculum which was developed collaboratively by both by Trinity College and the College of St. Scholastica, and option 2 – the Beauty and Joy of Computing which was developed at University of California’s Berkely Campus. Option 1 requires having a mobile device (android or apple) to test out apps, option two requires a browser.
During the course, students complete several programming projects (they will create Android based apps). At the end of the second semester, students can take the AP Computer Science Principles exam to earn college credit.
AP Computer Science Principles Exam Overview:
AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) is unique from other AP courses and exams in a number of ways, the assessment consists of two parts: (1) 30% of the grade consists of a through-course assessment composed of a performance task that students complete in class, with 20 hours of in-class instruction time, and (2) 70% of the exam grade is a Two-hour end-of-course paper and pencil exam with 74 multiple-choice questions that is administered in May (this part of the exam will need to be completed in a local school that proctors AP exams).
Outline
Unit 1 – Getting Started and Setup
Class 1: Introduction to course and resources, Mobile CSP and Blown to Bits
Unit 2 – Intro to Apps
Class 2 – Intro to Mobile Apps
Class 3: Event driven programming, Cloud Computing, Logic and terminology
Class 4: Algorithms and sensors, Abstraction and Binary
Class 5: Binary and Hexadecimal Apps, Hardware Abstractions and Blown to Bits Part 1
Unit 3 – Creating Graphics & Images Bit by Bit
Class 6: Blown to Bits Part 1 Continued, Global Variables, Images
Class 7: Using the camera, decrement and increment, Refactoring and Procedural Abstraction
Class 8: Parity, Databases, and Maps, Blown to Bits Part 2
Unit 4 – Exploring Computing: Animation, Simulation, & Modeling
Class 9: randomness, scoring, looping, simulation and modeling
Class 10: modular arithmetic, real world applications, and privacy
Unit 5 – Algorithms and Procedural Abstraction
Class 11: Procedures with Parameters, Searching and Sorting
Class 12: Debugging and Algorithm Analysis
Class 13: Web Searches
Class 14: Final Project and Exam
Class 14: Semester Project
Materials and Homework
Course materials:
Required Textbooks:
1. Blown to Bits Book – available online for free – http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/B2B_3.pdf
Software:
1. MIT’s App Inventor Developers: Google/MIT/College Board http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu
2. Mobile CSP https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/mobilecsp/index.html?mode=browsing
3. Beauty and Joy of Computing
4. The Snap! Editor Online or Offline Version
5. Chrome or other browser
Hardware:
1. Windows based laptop or desktop for completing programming tasks (this is difficult from a phone or tablet device)
2. For option 1 students – An Inexpensive android device to run their apps on (phone or tablet) or android emulator software that they can run on their PC. As a side note, my husband purchased a $5.00 no-contract Trac-phone (he did not purchase minutes) it works great. It does not have an accelerometer (a sensor that allows the phone to detect that it is turned or shaken), but it does the features needed to complete the coding assignments.
Other:
1. A Google Account
Homework: Assignments will include hands-on app development, reading, and writing. Students can expect 2 to 5 hours of time per week (outside of class time) dedicated to homework. Regular feedback will be provided to the students and their parents to ensure that all are aware of the progress being made throughout the course.
