All students are required to complete a semester of Computer Science (0.5 credit). 

Computer Science and Technology

9493 Game Development Fundamentals I  

Semester Course, fall or spring  

This course covers topics that utilize contemporary methods for digitally designing multimedia, video games and simulations. Students will learn how to research, conceptualize and create multimedia design and prepare it for various end products including print, web and video game production. Students will use Game Maker Studio software to design simple games.  Students will have the opportunity to apply and demonstrate proficiency in concepts learned in class by engaging in projects and activities assigned to give them experience in using various forms of media with an emphasis on the design and creation of video games and simulations.

9494 Game Development Fundamentals II  

Semester Course, fall or spring  

Prerequisite: Game Development 

Fundamentals I or departmental approval

This course is designed to allow students to develop proficiency in the areas of 2D and 3D computer graphics, animation, digital video game production, and digital audio creation. This course also deals with visual and conceptual skills needed to produce effective images, and to develop effective presentation skills. Content will include 3D platform game development using Unity.

9511 Computer Science Principles

Semester Course, fall or spring 

This course is an introduction to the development and future applications of digital computers. Computer Science Principles places emphasis on computer science topics rather than just programming. Students will work with a variety of commercial applications, design web pages, create graphical computer programs, gain Internet research skills and acquire conceptual understanding of computer hardware and Internet architecture. Other concepts that are covered are how information facilitates the creation of knowledge and why the Internet pervades modern computing.

952 Computer Website Design

Semester Course, spring only 

Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy or departmental approval

This intermediate course details the fundamentals of web design, photo manipulation and image compression techniques. Students will learn to hand tag using Hypertext Markup Language prior to the use of Dreamweaver editing software. Students design and prepare multiple-section websites incorporating image maps and cascading style sheets. Students will produce websites containing textual, graphic, audio and video components. Students will prepare website-based reports and presentations.

9530 Network Essentials

Semester Course, fall only

Open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors 

Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge or departmental approval

The course investigates the systems utilized for networking computers together and sharing, storing and backing up data between all computer devices. Topics covered will include: network topologies, network cabling, server-based networks, routers, fault tolerant power supplies and both standard and Power-Over-Ethernet switches. Emphasis will be placed on both the TCP/IP models as well as multiple protocols for Subnetting small, medium and large networks.

9540 Intro to Innovative Technologies

Semester Course, fall or spring 

Required Technology credit for the Class of 2027 and beyond  

IIT is a multi-disciplinary, hands-on course designed to engage students in direct exploration of various STEM-related activities. This course is intentionally designed for students to take greater, independent responsibility for their learning by accessing carefully organized content.  The course reinforces and encourages our students to take ownership of their education. A high premium is placed on critical thinking and self-empowerment within a creative space that helps them grow in confidence while developing important 21st-century skills. Students will take a deeper dive into engineering principles by engaging in activities that involve basic electronics, programming, computer-aided design, fabrication and construction. Students are introduced to basic engineering concepts and practices and instructed on how to use the tools necessary for the successful completion of the activities assigned.  

The course is comprised of these four STEM disciplines:

1. Engineering Design with CAD (including assembly motions/mates with OnShape)

2. Fabrication/Construction (laser-cutting wood and construction, 3D prints)

3. Programming (Arduino, autonomous programming of vehicle)

4. Electronics/Circuitry (Arduino)

9543 Advanced Engineering 

Semester Course, fall or spring

Open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Innovative Technologies or departmental approval 

The Advanced Engineering and Design course is the next-level course for students who are interested in delving deeper into engineering and the design process. This course explores architectural and structural design concepts and design practices. Foundational projects and skills will be developed providing the students with the tools necessary to manufacture their own original designs. Computer-Aided Design and fabrication will be emphasized in this course.  The first quarter will involve the design process and Architectural design. The second quarter will involve general structural engineering design. Students will be expected to produce a detailed portfolio of the final projects by following a carefully crafted design process and curriculum. Various materials and strategies, within reason, will be considered.

9542 Introduction to Virtual Reality

Semester Course, fall or spring 

Introduction to the world of virtual reality. Modified visual effects, augmented, and virtual environments will be explored and created using the latest technologies. Students will learn how to program and set up hardware that will assist in the production of both passive and interactive experiences. This course will involve learning and programming in C# (similar to Java) and becoming intimately familiar with the Unity Engine or similar. 

9603 Computer Programming I 

Semester Course, Fall Semester

Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge or departmental approval

An introductory course in programming and application development. Students will learn the fundamentals of computer programming. Students will learn to design, code, and test their own programs while applying mathematical concepts. The course includes an introduction to coding concepts and problem-solving skills through the use of the Python programming language. Students will be introduced to more complex data structures and their uses, such as arrays and classes.

9604 Computer Programming II 

Semester Course, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: Computer Programming I or departmental approval

This course reviews the strands covered in Computer Programming I. This course introduces students to more advanced data structures and their uses, including sequential files, 2D arrays, and complex classes. Students will learn to create more powerful programs using the Python language. This is a prerequisite for AP Computer Science A.

9610AP AP Computer Science A  (Advanced Placement) $ 

Year-long Course

Open to Juniors and Seniors

Prerequisite: Programming II or departmental approval

This is a Java programming course that covers the fundamentals of programming taught in the first-semester introductory college course. Students will learn to design, write, analyze, and document programs and subprograms. The mandatory AP Exam in May will emphasize Java programming methodology (including recursion), and procedural abstraction. It also includes algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction. 

9611AP AP Computer Science Principles (Advanced Placement) $ 

Year-long course

Open to Juniors and Seniors

Prerequisite: Algebra I Honors or departmental approval

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this course, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

Photography & Videography

9616 Intro to Photography $

Semester-long course, fall or spring 

*computer science or fine arts credit

$30 course fee

Introduction to photography is a semester-long course; its goal is to provide students an introduction to modern and digital photography production, from shoot to publication. The class will cover the basics of camera work, including techniques and camera settings, as well as how to edit using basic to advanced photo editing software such as Adobe lightroom to Adobe Photoshop.  Students can expect to create a multitude of projects and digital artifacts in this course. This class also functions as a prerequisite for Multimedia yearbook. This is a class for creatives: whether you have experience in digital photography or are ready to learn a whole new language, that of lenses and shots and edits, or just somehow ended up here, the one thing you need to embrace is your own natural creativity. Consider this classroom as a space for you to create, to make artistic statements, to test the boundaries of what you thought you could visually express. And creativity isn’t an innate talent; creativity is courage, so be courageous enough in this class to make some rad, creative stuff.

9617 Intro to Videography $

Semester Course, fall or spring 

*computer science or fine arts credit

$30 course fee

Introduction to videography is a semester-long course; its goal is to provide students an introduction to modern video production, from shoot to publication. The class will cover the basics of camera work, including techniques and camera settings, as well as how to edit using basic to advanced video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Rush to Adobe Premiere Pro.  Students can expect to create a multitude of projects and digital artifacts in this course. This class also functions as a prerequisite for TV Production classes. This is a class for creatives: whether you have experience in video production, or are ready to learn a whole new language, that of lenses and shots and edits, or just somehow ended up here, the one thing you need to embrace is your own natural creativity. Consider this classroom as a space for you to create, to make artistic statements, to test the boundaries of what you thought you could visually express. And creativity isn’t an innate talent; creativity is courage, so be courageous enough in this class to make some rad, creative stuff.

Television

9633 Speaking Eagle TV I 

9634 Speaking Eagle TV II

9635 Speaking Eagle TV III 

9636 Speaking Eagle TV IV

Year-long Course, fall and spring 

*computer science or fine arts credit

$30 Course fee

Prerequisite: Intro to Videography, or prior knowledge of video production, or instructor approval

Television Production is responsible for producing content for Speaking Eagle TV (vimeo.com/speakingeagletv), Juan Diego’s student broadcast publication. The publication will be broadcast to the student body on a regular basis, and also on the internet for wider display. The aims of Speaking Eagle TV are both sound journalism and entertainment. In the class, students will film, interview, edit, and revise content to produce content worthy of sharing with the entire student body. Students will work extensively with high-quality sound and video recording equipment, as well as Adobe products and Vimeo to produce and publish clips. The class will enter publications in local and national competitions as well.