AP Computer Science Principles

This college-level course introduces students to the field of computer science using the five Big Ideas: Creative Development, Algorithms & Programming, Computer Systems and Networks, and Impact of Computing. Students will use reflection and research to explore computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, and their potential impacts on society and their own lives.

Students will learn to design, evaluate, and apply computer science solutions to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.

They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge.

This course will provide opportunities for students to collaborate to solve these problems. This course is designed to prepare each student to complete the AP Computer Science Principles exam.

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Pre-Algebra

Register for AP Computer Science Principles

Basic and On Demand are always open for registration.

Plus courses are created upon request.

SEMESTER 1

Unit 1: Introduction to Computer Science

  • Introduction to Computer Science
  • Computer History
  • CS Impact on Our Lives

Unit 2: Algorithms

  • Big Idea 3: Algorithms
  • Computational Thinking
  • Algorithms
  • Searching and Sorting
  • Pseudocode
  • Flowcharts

Unit 3: Programming with Scratch

  • Big Idea 3: Programming
  • Intro to Scratch
  • Project Tutorial in Scratch
  • Planning a Project in Scratch
  • Loops in Scratch

Unit 4: The Internet

  • Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks (Internet)
  • History of the Internet
  • Internet Systems
  • Using HTML to Create Webpages

Unit 5: Programming an App

  • Intro to App Inventor
  • Using a Tutorial to Build an App
  • App Architecture
  • Event Handling

Unit 6: Big Data

  • Abstraction
  • Big Idea 2: Data
  • Data Systems
  • Ethical Issues
  • Data Abstraction
  • Digital Data Representation
  • Cybersecurity and Cryptography

Unit 7: Mock Create Performance Task

  • Big Idea 1: Creative Development
  • Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing
  • Time Management Tips
  • Research Tips

SEMESTER 2

Unit 8: Programming with Python

  • Intro to Python
  • Programming with Python
  • Python’s Turtle

Unit 9: Software Development

  • Software Development Cycle
  • Stages of Development
  • Ethical Use and Responsibility

Unit 10: Lists and More in Python

  • Strings in Python
  • Lists in Python
  • Mock Create PT in Python

Unit 11: Create Performance Task

  • AP Exam Prep
  • Create Performance Task

Unit 12: AP Exam Prep

  • APCSP Exam Strategies
  • AP Exam Review: Abstraction
  • AP Exam Review: Data
  • AP Exam Review: Algorithms
  • AP Exam Review: Programming
  • AP Exam Review: Internet
  • AP Exam Review: Global Impact

"SCOUT" is a trademark of the Boy Scouts of America, and is used under license. All Rights Reserved.