2 - AP CS Principles
Overview
AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) helps you understand how computing and technology influence the world around you. As part of this course, you’ll create digital projects, such as videos, infographics, and mobile apps, to address real-world issues in the same way that writers, programmers, engineers and designers would. More than a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the basic ideas of computing
Benefits
Computational thinking – which is the logic, algorithmic thinking, and problem-solving aspects of computer science – provides an analytical backbone that is useful for every single student, in any career. –Hadi Partovi
At the university level, computer science satisfies graduation requirements for 95% of B.S. degrees –Code.org
Of the more than 9 million STEM jobs available in the next decade, half will require computing experience. –Bureau of Labor Statistics
Software and IT services is the highest-paying industry, with a median salary of $104,000 this year. –LinkedIn 2017 U.S. State of Salary Report
Topics covered
Computing is a creative human activity that engenders innovation and promotes exploration
Abstraction reduces information and detail to focus on concepts relevant to understanding and solving problems
Data and information facilitate the creation of knowledge
Algorithms are tools for developing and expressing solutions to computational problems.
Programming is a creative process that produces computational artifacts
Digital devices, systems, and the networks that interconnect them enable and foster computational approaches to solving problems
Computing enables innovation in other fields including science, social science, humanities, arts, medicine, engineering business
Before enrolling
Minimum Academic Pre-requisites:
Computer Science I Honors
Math I must be taken prior to AP Computer Science Principles
Recommended Academic Proficiency:
Students will find the class more manageable if they scored an A in Math I or scored at least a B in Honors Math II, or if they take Honors Math II concurrently with AP CSP
In class
Explore the technical challenges and questions related to representing and communicating digital information on the Internet
Discuss the ethical and social implications of computer use
Use Python to build apps
