Computer Science Courses

How are video games made? How does an ATM know how to give you the correct amount of money? How do Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat work? 

A Computer Scientist is behind it all! Computer Science is responsible for the rapid pace of innovations in technology, medicine, communications, commerce, human interactions, and physical science that we see today. Computer Science 1 provides students with a general introduction to computer programming and problem solving as well as to the principles, etiquette and safety issues of general computing. 

Completion of Computer Science 1 or AP Principles of Computer Science is strongly encouraged.

This course provides students with a solid understanding of algorithms, symbolic reasoning, logic, and object-oriented programming that will allow them to be the innovators and future leaders of their chosen fields. Students will master the skills necessary to thoroughly analyze problems, systematically construct full and correct solutions, and express these solutions with clarity and precision. This course prepares students for the AP Computer Science A exam. 

These courses provide students with an in-depth look at how computers and programs operate by examining advanced topics, such as discrete mathematics, circuit design, dynamic structures, algorithm efficiency, and client-oriented software development. This course prepares IB Computer Science students for the IB Computer Science SL exam. 

Despite the IB designation, this course is open to ALL students, whether they are in the IB program or not, and effectively serves as Westwood's primary, 4th-year class in computer science studies.

In this course, students will develop mastery of multiple aspects of object-oriented programming and will demonstrate these skills in the format of an independent software development project.

Any IB students who choose to test in Computer Science will be adequately prepared for the IB Computer Science HL exam.

Mobile Application Development will foster students' creativity and innovation by presenting opportunities to design, implement, and deliver meaningful projects using mobile computing devices. Through data analysis, students will identify task requirements, plan search strategies, and use software development concepts to access, analyze, and evaluate information needed to program mobile devices.