AP Computer Science Principles

AP CS Principles is a course that exposes students to a wide variety of concepts in computer science specifically the big ideas in Computer Science. This course utilizes computational practices to teach computational thinking and computer science principles.

We explore the global and personal impact of computer science plus the use of computational tools in data analysis. Computer programming basics are introduced using MIT’s Scratch and AppInventor, Code.org's App Lab, and the high level programming language Python, while emphasizing problem-solving and logic development.

Students are introduced to various computer tools to solve problems creatively. Most projects are open-ended and students will work on them either in pairs or alone but with a focus on collaboration skills. As students create projects, they will be asked to narrate the project as well as reflect on their work by writing reports or responding to prompts.

The AP CS Principles course is designed as an entry-level college course. Students may receive college credit from, and at the discretion of, their post-secondary school of choice provided they score well on the AP CS Principles exam administered in May of each year.

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Pre-Algebra

Basic and On Demand are always open for registration.

Plus courses are created upon request.

SEMESTER 1

Unit 1: Intro to Computer Science Principles

1.1 Intro to Computer Science Overview
1.3 Introduction to Computer Science
1.4 Computer History
1.5 CS Impact on Our Lives

Unit 2: Algorithms

2.1 Intro to Algorithms Overview
2.2 Computational Thinking
2.4 Algorithms
2.5 Pseudocode
2.6 Flowcharting
2.10 What is Abstraction?

Unit 3: Data

3.1 Data Overview
3.3 Data Systems
3.4 Data Abstraction
3.6 Digital Data Representation
3.7 Binary Number System
3.10 Binary Search vs Linear Search
3.11 Searching & Sorting
3.12 ASCII
3.13 Data Compression
3.14 Data Compression and Storage

Unit 4: Programming with Scratch

4.1 Programming with Scratch Overview
4.3 Intro to Scratch
4.4 Project Tutorial in Scratch
4.8 Loops in Scratch
4.10 Planning a Project in Scratch

Unit 5: Programming with App Lab

5.1 Programming with App Lab Overview
5.3 Intro to App Inventor
5.4 Using a Tutorial to Build an App
5.5 App Architecture
5.6 Event Handling
5.10 Boolean Logic

Unit 6: Software Development

6.1 Software Development Overview
6.3 Software Development Cycle
6.4 Stages of Development
6.5 Ethical Issues
6.6 Ethical Use and Responsibility

Unit 7: Mock Create Performance Task

7.1 Mock Create Performance Task Overview
7.3 Mock Create Performance Task

SEMESTER 2

Unit 8: Programming with Python

8.1 Programming with Python Overview
8.3 Intro to Python
8.4 Programming with Python

Unit 9: Lists and More in Python

9.1 Lists and More in Python Overview
9.2 Strings in Python
9.4 Lists in Python
9.6 Reading Pseudocode

Unit 10: The Internet

10.1 The Internet Overview
10.3 History of the Internet
10.4 Internet Systems
10.5 Using HTML to Create a Webpage
10.6 What is the Internet?
10.7 Building a Network
10.9 The Need for Addressing
10.10 Routing & Redundancy
10.11 Packets
10.13 HTTPS & DNS
10.16 Fault Tolerance
10.17 Parallel and Distributed Computing

Unit 11: Cybersecurity

11.1 Cybersecurity Overview
11.2 Intro to Cybersecurity
11.3 PIIs & Cookies
11.4 Internet Privacy
11.7 Digital Footprint
11.8 Passwords
11.9 Cybersecurity & Cryptography
11.12 Cryptography
11.15 Encryption

Unit 12: Impact of Computing

12.1 Impact of Computing Overview
12.2 Machine Learning
12.3 Training Data & Bias
12.5 Algorithmic Bias

Unit 13: Create Performance Task Overview

13.1 Create Performance Task Overview
13.2 Expectations of CPT
13.6 Explanation of Personal Project Reference Document Use

Unit 14: APCSP Exam Review

14.1 APCSP Exam Review Overview
14.2 APCSP Exam Strategies
14.3 Big Idea 1 Creative Development
14.5 Big Idea 2 Data
14.7 Big Idea 3 Algorithms & Programming
14.9 Big Idea 4 Computing Systems & Networks
14.11 Big Idea 5 Impact of Computing
14.13 Final APCSP Review