Course Syllabus

AP Computer Science Principles

Course Description

AP Computer Science Principles (APCSP) is an entry-level course that introduces students to the foundations of modern computing.  The course covers a broad range of topics that make up computing such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing.  The course is designed around the AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum Framework and prepares students to take the AP Exam and to complete the AP Performance Tasks.

Who Should Take This Course?

There are no formal prerequisites for this course, though the College Board recommends that students have taken at least Math 1.

The course requires a significant amount of expository writing (as well as writing computer code, of course).

Course Objectives

The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course.  In this course, students will develop computational thinking skills vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends.  The course is unique in its focus on fostering student creativity.  Students are encouraged to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts and to think creatively while using computer software and other technology to explore questions that interest them.  They will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills, working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and discussing and writing about the importance of these problems and the impacts to their community, society, and the world.  

The AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum Framework focuses on the innovative aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how computing is relevant to many areas of their everyday lives.

Computational Thinking Practices

  • Connecting Computing
  • Creating Computational Artifacts
  • Abstracting
  • Analyzing Problems and Artifacts
  • Communicating
  • Collaborating

Big Ideas

  • Creativity
  • Abstraction
  • Data and Information
  • Algorithms
  • Programming
  • The Internet
  • Global Impact

Instructional Activities

Classroom Instruction: Application activities appropriate to accomplish the course objectives will be conducted in the classroom. These activities may include:  presentations, reinforcement activities, videos, teacher demonstrations, projects, reading quizzes, and unit tests.  Assignments and activities will be performed as individuals as well as in small groups.  Students will have online access to a weekly agenda that includes class assignments, make-up dates, and test dates.

Homework:  Classroom instruction will be supplemented with online and computer-based activities, assignments, and reading to be completed at home.  If a student does not have access to the Internet at home, arrangements can be made for these activities and assignments to be completed at school.  Additionally, students will need to study for any quizzes or tests that may be given.

 Late Work: In all circumstances, homework and other assignments will be accepted, even when turned in after the designated due date. Credit for late work are as follows:

▪          a. Students will receive a maximum 80% grade if turned in one (1) days late or less.

▪          b. Students will receive a maximum 70% grade if turned in two (2) days late or more.

▪          c. Students will receive a 50% grade if attempted but not completed or turned in after two days until the beginning of the last week of each grading period in which that time it will become a zero.

Learning Management System

Students will utilize Canvas, an online learning management system, to retrieve and submit nearly every assignment in the course.

Textbook

This course does not require or follow a textbook.  Blown to Bits (www.bitsbook.com) is a book that can be accessed online free of cost.  Many of its chapters are excellent supplemental reading for our course, especially for material in Units 1, 2 and 4.

AP Assessments

The APCSP assessment is composed of an in-class performance task and one end-of-course exam.  Both assessments are summative and will be used to calculate a final AP score (using the 1-5 scale).  Generally, colleges grant credit and/or placement to students with an AP Exam scores of 3 and higher.  However, colleges and universities set their own policies based on their unique needs and objectives.