Computer Science*
*Pending Board of Education approval
*Pending Board of Education approval
AP Computer Science Principles
3990 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Prerequisite: One year of Algebra 1 (“B” average or better) or “B” average or better in subsequent math course
AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles will give students the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science. The Curriculum Framework focuses on the innovative aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how computing is relevant to many areas of their everyday lives. Students taking this course are required to have a TI-84 Plus or higher graphing calculator. Students are expected to take the AP Computer Science Principles examination in the spring.
Introduction to Computer Programming
3993 One Semester - ½ Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 9-12 No Prerequisite
Introduction to Computer Programming gives students a foundation in the essential concepts of coding and computational thinking. Students will explore variables, loops, conditionals, and data types while learning to design and build programs in both Scratch and Python. In addition to hands-on coding, the course introduces the history of programming, the key hardware components of a computer, and how artificial intelligence can be used to solve real-world problems.
AP Computer Science A
3994 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Geometry, Intro to Computer Programming, or AP Computer Science Principles
This course introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
AP Cybersecurity
3931 Full Year - 1 Credit 5 Periods per Week
Grades 10 - 12 Prerequisite - Algebra I
This course is a broad introduction to the field of cybersecurity that aligns closely with a standard first year college introductory cybersecurity course. Students learn about common threats and vulnerabilities, and how those combine to create risk. Students study the ways that individuals and organizations manage risk, and how risk can be mitigated through a defense-in-depth strategy. Students explore specific vulnerabilities, attacks, mitigations, and detection measures across a variety of domains including physical spaces, computer networks, devices, and data and applications. Throughout the course, students consider the impact of cybersecurity on individuals, organizations, governments and societies.