Computer Technology and Engineering

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite:  None

The course has two themes. The first theme introduces computer concepts and programming. Topics include hardware and software fundamentals; computer and information systems; data communications and computer networks; World Wide Web and the Internet; social impact of computers including discussions on privacy, security, civil liberty, risk of computers, intellectual properties, and computer related legislations. The second theme familiarizes students with leading application software such as Excel, Powerpoint, Access and Web design programs. Practical computer problem-solving skills are emphasized through intensive hands-on exercises.  This is a dual enrollment course with William Paterson University.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Grades 10-12

Credits: 5

This course will teach students the basics of architectural design using the same software used by Architects and Media Professionals.  This is a survey course that will cover a broad range of topics.  Basic Architectural and engineering concepts will be addressed along with many of the 3D modeling, rendering and compositing techniques used by game developers, visual effects artists, and other creative professionals engaged in media design. This course is best for students who are considering a career in Architecture or 3D Graphics and Media Design. 

SPACE EXPLORATION

Grades 10-12

Credits: 5

This course introduces students to the scientific, technological, and engineering principles behind space exploration; covering topics such as history of space exploration, spacecraft design, planetary science, and mission planning.  Students while engage in hands-on projects and problem-solving activities that highlight the challenges and innovations of exploring our solar system and beyond.

AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS & PERFORMANCE

Grade: 10-12

Credits 5 (Full Year)

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Flight

This hands-on course builds on the learning experiences from Introduction to Aerospace.  Students will learn to categorize aircraft, identify their parts, understand construction techniques and materials, analyze the forces of flight and perform related calculations.  Additionally, student explore aircraft design including stability, controls, and maneuvering, and study powerplants and fuel systems to understand their impact on design and performance.

ROBOTICS

Grades 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite:  None 

Technology plays an increasingly vital role in daily life, with students often referred to as Digital Natives. However, research indicates that many of these individuals lack a deep conceptual understanding of how technology works, why it works, and the implications of its use.  

This curriculum is designed to help students become technologically literate. Robotics technology serves as a cornerstone of 21st-century American innovation, showcasing its growing significance across various applications and its potential to inspire education in technology. Robotics is poised to drive the development of next-generation products and applications in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, national defense, agriculture, and transportation. Additionally, it provides learners of all ages with opportunities to explore key concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), sparking interest in STEM-related careers.  The main objective of this course is to inspire students to recognize their potential to create and innovate. Invention is not reserved for others—it is something they, too, can accomplish. This will be achieved through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including collaborative teamwork and projects involving basic electrical, mechanical, and robotic devices, as well as, programming.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES 

Grades: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisites: none

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. The course is particularly useful for those students who are considering a major or minor in a Computer Science, STEM or Engineering field.  All students enrolled in this class are expected to prepare for and take the Advanced Placement AP Computer Science Principals exam in May.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A 

Grade: 11-12

Credits: 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of AP Computer Science Principles or Computer and Information Technology

Computer science involves problem-solving, hardware, and algorithms that help people utilize computers and incorporate multiple perspectives to address real-world problems in contemporary life. As the study of computer science continues to evolve, the careful design of the AP Computer Science A course strives to engage a diverse student population, including female and underrepresented students, by allowing them to discover the power of computer science through rewarding yet challenging concepts.  AP Computer Science A 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.  The AP Computer Science A course requires that solutions of problems be written in the Java programming language. Because the Java programming language is extensive, with far more features than could be covered in a single introductory course, the AP Computer Science A Exam covers a subset of Java.