Computer Science and Technology Courses

In this course, students learn and apply the fundamentals of Python, C, and Java programming languages. The structure and syntax of each language are implemented in activities using an online integrated development environment (IDE). Students gain an understanding of how to construct variables, conditional statements, and loops and how the languages differ from one another. Building upon these skills, students work in small groups to design, assemble, and program VEX robots to perform challenging tasks. Finally, students use Java to design, implement, and test an original two-dimensional game.

Prerequisite: 70 in Geometry or Algebra I or Teacher Recommendation

This course offers students a multidisciplinary approach to learning the underlying principles of computing. The course introduces students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. Students are given the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions.

Prerequisite: 70 in Algebra I or Teacher Recommendation

*Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.

This course is an accelerated course in computer science that stresses programming design, implementation and analysis, standard data structures, standard algorithms, and computer systems. This course prepares the student to take the A-level advanced placement exam. All APCS candidates must be familiar with a year long course of study.

Prerequisites: Algebra I OR Coding, Robotics, and Application Development

*Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.

This course fosters creativity, analysis, and higher-order thinking skills. Students utilize a hands-on approach to visual communications and develop the key technical skills needed to produce solutions to design challenges. They learn to be proficient in use of the industry standard Adobe Creative Suite programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. In addition to graphic design, related studies include: technical skills, advertising concepts, typography, and basic production. Interdisciplinary connections are made to mathematics, science, English, and history.

Building upon skills learned in Graphic Design, various projects and assignments empower students to achieve course objectives through problem-solving, individually and collaboratively, and exposes students to the variety of careers. Creativity is fostered throughout and higher-order thinking skills are used. Utilizing Adobe Creative Suite software, students expand their knowledge of key technical skills needed to solve design challenges. Students may enroll in this course up to three times in order to increase their level of expertise.

Prerequisites: Successful Completion of Graphic Design and Teacher Recommendation

*This course is also offered for dual-enrollment credit through Seton Hall University

This course is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be competitive in the collaborative, global, and innovative professional world of today and tomorrow. Concepts include the overall digital experience, digital communications, digital media and the exploration of career options. Students demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to productively use Microsoft Office, Google for Education, and other online collaboration tools while learning about the ethical and legal issues pertaining to the professional workplace. This course also provides practical experience in professionalism using various forms of presentation skills, including speaking, podcasting and digital portfolio relating to the globalization of specific careers.

This course further develops and builds upon the concepts and skills learned in Digital Literacy and Professional Portfolio I. Students develop heightened levels of individual performance, confidence, and differentiation as digitally literate professionals and responsible citizens in an ever changing digital world. Through the use of audio/video applications, such as Skype and Google Meets students connect as global learners and professionals. They expand on how to use digital technologies to communicate and gather information from colleagues and/or potential customers using various social media platforms while further learning about pertinent ethical and legal issues.

Prerequisite: Digital Literacy & Professional Portfolio Development I

In this course, students encounter a hands-on approach to mastering both technical and conceptual aspects of photography. Each student is challenged to master DSLR and other types of digital camera exposure settings to match a wide variety of subject matter and lighting situations. The students achieve digital darkroom proficiency as well as building additional studio skills and learning to best compose a photograph to maximize its impact on the viewer. The ideas and inspiration gleaned from studying works by master photographers and the learner’s own aesthetic ideas orchestrate multiple “solutions” to specific photographic assignments.

In this follow-up course to Photography I, students apply the hands-on skills that they learned previously to strengthen their visual communication skills, develop a personal vision and style, and utilize criteria-based evaluation skills. Digital darkroom skills are mastered as students meld Photoshop special effects techniques with their own artistic vision. By examining the works of master photographers, students create their own master-inspired work. Students also grow in their ability to evaluate the factors that influence and contribute to the success of a photograph in terms of aesthetic and expressive qualities.

Prerequisite: Photography I or teacher approval of portfolio

In this course, students prepare architectural drawings and models using both hand-drawing tools and C.A.D. technology. Through projects, presentations, and research of literature, they gain an understanding of architectural design in historical contexts. With this knowledge, students design and create digital and physical models of various types of dwellings and other structures that meet specific design criteria. Students are introduced to architecture related career information and construction principles/methods, and also build skills needed to analyze, critique, and evaluate their own designs and the designs of others.

In this course, students learn aviation history, from mythology to present, and the principles of flight. They study the history and development of aircraft as well as the physical laws of science that are the foundation of aviation technology. The functions, controls, and purpose of various aircraft (including hot air balloons, tetrahedron kites, model wooden planes, water and solid fuel rockets) are discussed as well as the actual “hands-on” construction of these scaled-down working models. In addition, students experience flight through the use of flight simulation software and use computer aided design software (CAD) to design and build models. They also learn about military aviation, pilot communications, airport facilities, and changing aviation technologies.

This course introduces students to the study of drafting. Students gain skills and knowledge in freehand sketching, lettering, orthographic projection, dimensioning, and pictorial drawing. They apply their drafting skills in creative ways to the fields of architecture and engineering (buildings and landscapes, aircraft manufacturing, electronics and electricity, manufacturing, HVAC and sewer mechanics, ship construction, and steel reinforcements and bridges). Computer Aided Design drawing involves the use of SketchUp, AutoCAD, and other software. Current trends in technical drawing–-e.g., renewable energy technology, etc.—are studied through online videos, industry applications, and possibly guest speakers.

This course challenges students to learn in-depth practices and techniques of Computer Aided Design drafting. Throughout the course, students solve realistic, modern day design and architectural problems in order to create industry standard working drawings of the various fields of technical drawing. Advanced Technical Drawing includes such activities as residential and commercial building design, blueprint reading, overview of construction materials and techniques, and exposure to renowned industry related professionals. Advanced Technical Drawing students stay up-to-date with current technology trends (ie: renewable energy) and incorporate these technologies into their designs. Students also research Technical Drawing colleges and careers, and experts from the industry visit the classroom to expose students to possible future careers in this field. Students may enroll in this course up to three times in order to increase their level of expertise.

Prerequisites: Successful Completion of Technical Drawing and Teacher Recommendation

This course fosters the development of ongoing skills in students that provides them with the ability to work in today’s multidimensional career settings and helps them to prepare for the demands of the global technological economy. Students participate in “design thinking” as a way to find and work through problems towards a variety of solutions using collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. They explore and gain the requisite skills in new design and technology tools to enable them to iterate, prototype, and test the best possible solution to relevant, high-interest problems identified in both the local and global community.

Students may be permitted to take this course a second time depending on enrollment.

Students explore the conceptual foundations of engineering design by means of a hands-on project based approach. Projects include the building and programming of a robot and the building of structures. Through these projects, students are exposed to concepts in electronics, computer programming, mechanical design, and structural engineering. Through group and individual work, students are introduced to the basic principles of product design, research and development, modeling, optimizing systems, and ergonomics. Through these explorations, students gain an understanding of opportunities that are available via careers in engineering. While completing the course projects, students develop their problem analysis and solving, teamwork, and communication skills.

Prerequisite: 80 or better in Algebra I

This course is intended to further students’ knowledge in the field of Digital Media Design and Technology with hands-on projects and activities aligned to industry expectations. Students develop a digital portfolio exhibiting their growth in various mediums throughout the semester including graphic design, animation, audio production, video production, web design, and social media marketing. Students analyze and critique their peers’ work, and self-assess throughout the design process.

This course is mandatory for all 9th grade Arts Academy students in the Digital Media Arts and Design track and may be open to other students if space permits.

This course is designed to give students exposure to the wide array of animation techniques that are used in the digital media industry. Students study the foundations of 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and 3D modeling, drawing connections to computer games, product design, and filmmaking. Students discover the history and evolution of early animation, design storyboards, create objects and characters, understand timing, and develop the ability to artistically and effectively tell a story through the medium. Students utilize industry standard software such as the Adobe Creative Suite’s Photoshop, Animate, After Effects, iMovie, and Blender. This course is open to students in the Arts Academy Digital Media Arts and Design track and may be open to other students if space permits.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Digital Media Design and Technology or Graphic Design

This course is designed to expose students to the primary concepts of gaming. Students study the basic structure and mechanics of a game, rules behind a game, and various types of design fundamentals. A strong emphasis is placed on game animation, lighting techniques, game mechanics, game design, and prototyping. Students work in a hands-on game development environment, simultaneously using art & technology skills to create digital game prototypes.

This course is open to students in the Arts Academy Digital Media Arts and Design track and may be open to other students if space permits.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Digital Media Design and Technology, Innovation and Design, or Graphic Design

*This course is also offered for dual-enrollment credit through Seton Hall University

This course expands on the concepts in Intro to Video Game Art and Design-Honors. A strong emphasis will be placed on advanced game design, health and wellness promotion for gamers & designers, entrepreneurship pitching to corporate game publishers, and advocating for esports as a career pathway in a billion dollar industry.

This course is open to students in the Arts Academy Digital Media Arts and Design track and may be open to other students if space permits.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intro to Video Game Art & Design or Teacher Recommendation