AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is a year-long introductory, college-level computer science course. In this course, students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts such as modularity, variables, and control structures. College level AP Computer Science is designed to help students prepare to take the Advanced Placement AP Computer Science A Exam ™ administered by the College Board.

The Java Programming course teaches students all Java skills required on the “AP Computer Science A” exam. While it can be taken standalone with no pre-requisites, this is one of our most advanced courses, and some degree of technical comfort is recommended.

Semester A

Major Concepts:

• Understanding Computer Programming
• Getting Started with Java
• The Eclipse IDE
• Data Types and Variables
• Working With Strings
• User Input
• Basic Flow Control
• Writing Methods
• Debugging and Exceptions
• Introduction to OOP
• Objects in Java
• Graphical Java Programs
• Swing Input Controls
• Arrays and Collections
• Inheritance and Polymorphism

Semester B

Major Concepts

• Jail Break Project
• Math Functions in Java
• File Access
• Sorting, Searching and Recursion
• Program Efficiency
• Vector and Bitmap Images
• Object Composition and Copying
• Computer Networking
• Software Engineering Principles
• Team Project
• Supplemental Labs
• GridWorld Case Study

This course requires a computer with the Windows or Mac operating systems.

Course material and interactive online system can be accessed from any HTML5-compliant web browser on standard computers, laptops, or tablets with an Internet connection.

In order to complete hands-on projects, students will use a computer with one of the following operating systems:

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
• Mac OS version 10.7 or higher