Advanced Placement Computer Science Course Outline
“Let's face the
obvious: yesterday we were nerds, today we're the cognitive elite. Let's
conquer.” (
Course: Advanced Placement Computer Science
Teacher: Anna DiGiulian
E-Mail: AMDiGiulian@mail.worcester.k12.md.us
Cartoon Credit:
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Course Objective:
The AP Computer Science course is an introductory course in computer science. Computer Science A emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with concentration on problem solving and algorithm development and is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester college-level course in Computer Science. It includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction.
Goals:
Students should be able to:
- design and implement computer-based solutions to problems in a variety of application areas
- use and implement commonly-used algorithms and data structures
- develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems
- code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. Students are expected to be familiar with and be able to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset
- read and understand a large program consisting of several classes and interacting objects. Students should be able to read and understand a description of the design and development process leading to such a program (An example of such a program is the AP Computer Science Case Study).
- recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use
-AP College Board
Syllabus:
Block Schedule
45 Days (90 minute class periods)
Day |
Chapter |
Day |
Chapter |
Day |
Chapter |
1 |
Chapter 1/2 |
16 |
Chapter 4 |
31 |
Chapter 9 |
2 |
Chapter 1/2 |
17 |
Chapter 5 |
32 |
Chapter 9 |
3 |
Chapter 1/2 |
18 |
Chapter 5 |
33 |
Chapter 9 |
4 |
Chapter 3 |
19 |
Chapter 5 |
34 |
Chapter 9 |
5 |
Chapter 3 |
20 |
Chapter 5 |
35 |
Chapter 10 |
6 |
Chapter 3 |
21 |
Chapter 6 |
36 |
Chapter 10 |
7 |
Chapter 3 |
22 |
Chapter 6 |
37 |
Chapter 10 |
8 |
Chapter 3 |
23 |
Chapter 6 |
38 |
Chapter 10 |
9 |
Chapter 3 |
24 |
Chapter 6 |
39 |
Chapter 11 |
10 |
Chapter 4 |
25 |
Chapter 7 |
40 |
Chapter 11 |
11 |
Chapter 4 |
26 |
Chapter 7 |
41 |
Chapter 11 |
12 |
Chapter 4 |
27 |
Chapter 7 |
42 |
Chapter 11 |
13 |
Chapter 4 |
28 |
Chapter 7 |
43 |
Chapter 12 |
14 |
Chapter 4 |
29 |
Chapter 9 |
44 |
Chapter 12 |
15 |
Chapter 4 |
30 |
Chapter 9 |
45 |
Chapter 12 |
Lab Component
I give at least two programs per unit, and students work on programs about 80 percent of the time. They can also come in before or after school for extra
programming time and help. All computers have JCreator LE installed, and students have access to information on how to download it at home.