We currently offer six different courses in Computer Science. Web Programming, Tech Assistant, App Development, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and IB Computer Science HL. The first five are stand alone courses and can be taken concurrently or in any order; however the following order is recommended for students who wish to take multiple courses:
Web Programming
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A
IB HL Year 2 Computer Science
AP Computer Science A must be taken before IB HL Year 2.
Students will earn Math Elective Credit for successful completion of computer science courses. These math elective credits do not count toward the required number of math credits required for graduation.
Web Programming
0.5 elective credit— Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 semester)
Web Programming is for students who wish to develop websites by learning computer programming fundamentals. The course is designed for students who have no experience or some experience creating websites. Students will program using a text editor and the HTML and CCS programming languages. Computer ethics, computer careers, and computer design teams will be discussed. Students will create various individual websites as they learn proper form and how to include features such as links, tables, images and forms.
Students may use their own laptop or use a school computer for a fee of $35.00.
App Development
0.5 elective credit— Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 semester)
Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry and either AP Computer Science Principles OR AP Computer Science A, OR permission of Instructor.
The course will teach students advanced concepts of computer programming in the context of app programming. Previous coding experience is required as this course will offer programming in a new language and environment. Students will program apps using the design process and will learn the process to publish apps. Apps will be developed mostly using the iPhones language of Swift in the XCode environment. Students do not need to own an iPhone for this course. This course is differentiated, self-paced and requires self-motivation since it is highly individualized. Students may use their own laptop or use a school computer for a fee of $35.00.
Tech Assistant (Help Desk)
0.5 elective credit— Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 semester)
Prerequisites: Algebra I & Interview
This course is repeatable.
No computer is required.
This course gives students training and experience in IT Support. Students will learn customer service skills while helping students fix device related issues. Students will learn about computer software and applications while creating user-friendly tutorials on how to fix common problems. Students will assist at the student technology help desk one period per day as well as have a zero period class and independent virtual component. Students will be available to assist teachers in their classrooms when they are implementing technology. Students should be self-motivated and responsible since much of the content of this course will be learned independently. An interview will be conducted with a computer science teacher before the course begins to ensure we have complete coverage of the help desk and students who can communicate effectively with users. Students who successfully complete this course in addition to other computer science courses would be eligible to take the CompTia IT Fundamentals Certification Test. This test counts as an approved industry credential for an alternative Ohio Graduation pathway. Students who have a conflict with other zero period classes should talk to this instructor to create an option to still take the course virtually.
AP Computer Science Principles
Credits: 1 Elective credit - Grades 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 year)
Prerequisites: Algebra I
In AP Computer Science Principles, students explore the foundations of computer science at a level equivalent to a first-semester college course. Course topics are organized around five big ideas central to computer science: creative development, data, algorithms and programming, computer systems and networks, and impact of computing.
Students are introduced to programming with a focus on learning fundamental concepts and techniques that can be applied across projects and languages. (JavaScript, both in graphical and text formats, serves as the primary language for this course.) Students discover how information can be digitally represented, manipulated, and transferred between devices. They use abstraction to manage complexity, reducing information and detail to focus on relevant concepts as a problem-solving technique. They learn about Big Data and some of the technical, legal, and ethical issues that arise from the collection and analysis of enormous amounts of data. They identify trends and draw conclusions from large data sets. They recognize tradeoffs between advantages of data innovations and concerns about privacy and security. They learn about cybersecurity and cryptography.
Throughout the course, students investigate computing innovations, invent protocols, and design computational artifacts based on their interests. They develop communication and collaboration skills both individually and in teams. Students also consider the impact of computer science – both its beneficial and potential harmful effects – on society, economy, and culture.
The AP Exam score for AP Computer Science Principles consists of two assessment components: an end-of-course AP Exam and the Create Performance Task, an in-class project to be submitted to the College Board for evaluation.
Students may use their own laptop or use a school computer for a fee of $70.00.
To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.
AP Computer Science A
1 elective credit — Grades 10,11,12
(1 period per day for 1 year)
Prerequisites: Geometry
AP Computer Science A is a one year course equivalent to the first two semesters of computer science of a college level Java computer science curriculum. Emphasis will be on object-oriented program design and problem solving using Java as the sole programming language. In the first semester, students will learn the rudiments of programming including input, output, decision making, iteration, methods, and class design. In the second semester, students will learn more advanced topics including inheritance, searching and sorting techniques, recursion, and simple data structures. Students will be expected to implement multiple interacting classes in order to solve various problems. This course curriculum is designed to prepare students for the AP Computer Science A Examination and follows College Board’s AP Computer Science A Curriculum
Students may use their own laptop or use a school computer for a fee of $70.00.
To be awarded Advanced Placement (AP) credit for this course, students must complete the accompanying AP exam. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.
AP Computer Science A must be taken before IB HL Year 2.
IB HL Computer Science Year 2
1 elective credit — Grades 11-12
(1 period per day for 1 year)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Computer Science A course and AP Exam
The IB computer science HL Year 2 is a continuation of AP Computer Science A and is taught using the Java Programming Language. Students should have successfully completed both the AP Computer Science A course and AP Exam prior to taking this course. This course requires an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computational thinking as well as knowledge of how computers and other digital devices operate. The course, underpinned by conceptual thinking, draws on a wide spectrum of knowledge, and enables and empowers innovation, exploration and the acquisition of further knowledge. Students study how computer science interacts with and influences cultures, society and how individuals and societies behave, and the ethical issues involved. Topics include computer systems, networks, computational thinking and problem-solving. Object oriented programming will be further studied including abstract data structures including linked lists, trees, stacks and queues. During this course students will complete IB assessments from year 1 and year 2 and cover all IB HL Computer Science curricula not covered in AP Computer Science A. IB Diploma candidates can use this course to fulfill the IB Science HL Group 4 requirement.
Students may use their own laptop or use a school computer for a fee of $70.00.
To be awarded International Baccalaureate (IB) for this course, students must complete all Internal & External exams. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.