In this course, students will expand upon their previous studies in "AP Computer Science A" and "Computer Science 3"/"IB Computer Science SL" by investigating the key topics listed below. Students who complete this course can expect to be well prepared for continued study and/or a career in the fields of Computer Science, Software Development, and/or Information Technology.

Key Topics:

• Software Development

• Project Management

• Research in Advanced Computer Science

• Professional Portfolios

Software Development

Software Design

• • User Interface

  • File Input

  • File Output

The Software Development Process

• • Analysis

  • Backend Design

  • Code Implementation

  • Documentation

  • Evaluation

Capstone Project

• • Independent Software Development

  • Client-Driven Software Development

Further Topics in Computing

Project Management

• • Computer Refresh Case Study

Research

• • Advanced Topics in Computing

Professional Development

• • Personal Portfolios

While this senior-level course is open to both IB and non-IB students, it is designed to meet the curricular goals and standards set forth by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The content of this course covers the IB Higher Level (HL) curriculum and is intended to prepare students for the IB Computer Science exam.

Internal Assessment

IB students taking the exam will be required to complete an independent software development project to serve as their Internal Assessment. Students will design, implement, test, and document a real-world, software solution to meet a client's needs.

External Assessment

The External Assessment for the HL exam consists of three written exams in which students are expected to demonstrate a broad understanding of general computing concepts, terms, and methodologies. By the end of May, any IB students who choose to test in Computer Science will be adequately prepared for the IB Computer Science HL exam.

Room E1309 is usually open every morning (except Thursdays) before school (8:30-9:00) and when spots are open during academic flex periods. Students who need additional assistance, who need to make-up an exam/quiz, or who wish to work on their projects are encouraged to come in to work and get assistance as needed.

Unit Assessments

Each unit will contain periodic assessments that allow students to demonstrate their mastery of course topics.

Supplemental Topic Quizzes

Throughout the year, students will independently research 32 weekly topics that directly or indirectly relate to the main course units. Students will be asked to answer short prompts from the weekly topics studied to date. Each quiz will contain 1 definition or prompt from the current week's topic and 1 definition or prompt from an earlier week (cumulative from the beginning of the year).

Design Challenges

These are 1-day, timed, group exercise in collaborative problem solving and software design and development. Students will either design or implement a solution and/or prototype for a specified scenario.

• Students may not claim the work of others as their own except in group collaborative projects and exercises in which case all sources and team members must be clearly acknowledged.

• Any  instance of academic dishonesty will be handled according to the Westwood High School's Academic Dishonesty Policy.

• Students are permitted to redo 2 failed assessments per semester.

• Unless excused from the assessment, students have until the end of the 9-week marking period to complete work for a grade.

• Late work penalties vary by assessment and will be clearly communicated in the corresponding rubric.

One Semester Exam may be exempted (either Fall or Spring) according to the standard, school policies and restrictions regarding exam exemptions (i.e., requires a semester average of 85, no more than 5 absences for the semester, etc.).

Fall Semester

• • The final exam will be similar to the Design Challenges, except it is to be done individually during the 2-hour semester exam period.

Spring Semester

• • The final exam will be similar to the Design Challenges, except it is to be done individually during the 2-hour semester exam period.