AP Computer Science A Syllabus

The AP Computer Science A course is an introductory computer science course. A large part of the course also emphasizes the design issues that make programs understandable, adaptable, and when appropriate, reusable. At the same time, the development of useful computer programs and classes is used as a context for introducing other important concepts in computer science, including the development and analysis of algorithms, the development and use of fundamental data structures, and the study of standard algorithms and typical applications. In addition an understanding of the basic hardware and software components of computer systems and the responsible use of these systems are integral parts of the course.

The goals of the AP Computer Science course are comparable to those in the introductory sequence of courses for computer science majors offered in college and university computer science departments. Students completing the AP Computer Science course will be able to:

o	Design and implement computer-based solutions to problems in a variety of application areas.
o	Use and implement commonly-used algorithms and data structures.
o	Develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solved problems.
o	Code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. Students will be familiar with and be able to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset.
o	Read and understand a large program consisting of several classes and interacting objects. Students will be able to read and understand a description of the design and development process leading to a program such as the AP Computer Labs.
o	Identify the major hardware and software components of a computer system, their relationship to one another, and the roles of these components within the system.
o	Recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use.

This course spans 34 weeks requiring a minimum of 10 hours per week to read lessons and complete 70 programming assignments, 12 written assignments, four oral quizzes, six labs (the structured lab components consists of a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on lab experiences), and eight exams. The AP approved IMACS curriculum is used to develop fundamental programming knowledge and skills, but enhanced instruction is provided to more thoroughly explore computer science concepts.

Resources:

• Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS): Computer Science: Java Programming (www.eimacs.com).

• Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS): Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam (www.eimacs.com).

• Litvin, & Litvin, Java Methods A & AB, Andover, MA. Skylight Publishing 2006.

• College Board, AP Computer Science Labs: Magpie, Picture and Elevens, and the Student Manual.

• The BlueJ Integrated Development Environment (bluej.org).

In the following detailed syllabus, the Concepts column identifies the concepts from the AP Computer Science Topic Outline, the Assignments column indicates assignments which address the concepts, and the IMACS Lessons column identifies specific IMACS lessons that address the concepts. The combination of IMACS lessons and specific assignments permits coverage of all concepts in the Topic Outline.

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 1

---Semester 1---

Module	Scope and	College Board Topic Outline Objectives	Assignments	IMACS Lessons
	Sequence
	1 Getting Started	Program	• Download and
		Implementation	install Java.
		• Console output	• Download and
		(System.out.print/print ln)- IIB3	install BlueJ
			• Print student
			information card.
	2 Variables and	Program	• Calculations with	Variables and Arithmetic Expressions
	Expressions	Implementation	int variables.
		• Variable	• Calculations with	• Integers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
		Declarations: IIB2b	double variables.	• Doubles 1, 2
		Control – Sequential: • IIB4b	English to Metric conversions with mixed variable types. •	Declaring and Assigning Values to Variables 1 •
		Program Analysis
		• Identify and correct	• Calculate test
		errors: IIIB2	grade averages.
		• Limitations of finite	• Convert currencies
		representations (e.g., integer bounds, imprecision of floating-point representations, and round-off error): IIIH2	(dollar, pesos, yen, and Euro).
		Standard Data
		Structures
		• Simple data
3	Strings and User Input	Program Implementation	• Using Pseudocode	Variables and
			• Reading Source	Arithmetic Expressions
		Primitive types vs. objects: IIB1 •	Code	• Strings 1, 2
			• Interpreting a	• Concatenation 1, 2
		• Variable	secret message	• String Methods 1, 2, 3
		Declarations: IIB2b	written in ASCII.	• Displaying Messages 1
		Java library classes (String): IIC •	• objects to display song lyrics. Using String	Converting between numbers and Strings •
		Program Analysis	• Using escape	Practice Test #3
		Identify and correct errors: IIIB2 •	characters to create ASCII art.
			Exploring the Java API •

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 2

				• Decoding cell
				phone text message phrases.
				• Modify text
				message and currency converter
				to accept user input with Scanner class methods.
				Calculate overdue library fines. •
				• Oral Quiz
				(Modules 1 – 3).
				Challenge Exam (Module 1 – 3).
	4 Condition	Program		• Practice base	Variables and Arithmetic Expressions
	Statements	Implementation		conversions (binary,
		•	Control –	octal, decimal, and	• integers 5
		Conditional: IIB4c		hexadecimal).	• booleans 1
				• Calculate food	• Relational Operators 1,
		Program Analysis		label minimum daily	2
		•	Representations of	reference values.	• Comparing Strings 1,
		numbers in different bases: IIIH1		• Determine heart	2, 3
				rate target zone for safe exercise.	Logical Operators 1, 2, 3, 4 •
		Standard Data Structures		• Calculate basal
				metabolic heart rate.	Program Control
		Simple data types (boolean): IVA •		Calculate body • mass index.	Conditional Statements 1, 2, 3, 4 •
				Create menus with error trapping. •	• Blocks 1, 2
				• Calculate total	Practice Test #4 and 6
				daily energy
				expenditure.
5 Loops		Program Implementation		• Simulate tossing a	Program Control
				fair or biased coin.	• Iteration
		•	Control – Iteration:	• Predict percentage	• while Loops 1, 2, 3
		IIB4d		of males and females in a population.	• for loops 1, 2, 3
		Program Analysis		• Create a guess my	Practice Test #7 and #8
		•	Identify boundary	number game.
		cases and generate		• Read text files.
		appropriate data: IIIA2		• Calculate
		•	Employ techniques	percentage of male/female, male/male, female/female family combinations
		such as using a debugger, adding extra output statements, or hand tracing code:

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 3

		IIIB3		read from a sample
		•	Identify and correct	text file.
		errors: IIIB2		•	Calculate outcomes
		•	Limitations of finite	of 3 ball lottery combinations. • Simulate dice
		representations (e.g., integer bounds, imprecision of floating-point representations, and round-off error): IIIH2
				probabilities with nested loops.
				Predict odds of a bottle cap prize •
				using Monte Carlo Method.
				•	Generate random
				passwords with different character sets.
				•	Discussion:
				Computer science careers based on Univ. of Washington videos.
6 Arrays		Program Implementation		•	Calculate average	Variables and Arithmetic Expressions
				temperature and
		•	Control – Iteration:	total rainfall based on data read in from a text file and choose output in		Arrays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 •
		IIB4d
						•	doubles 2
		Program Analysis
		•	Understand and	metric or English units.		Program Control
		modify existing code:				•	for-each loops 1, 2
		IIIC		•	Format output
		•	Identify and correct	using the printf method.		Practice Test #5 and #9
		errors: IIIB2
		•	Limitations of finite	•	Calculate the Heat
		representations (e.g., integer bounds, imprecision of floating-point representations, and round-off error): IIIH2 Standard Data		Index of a city using temperature and humidity data read in from a file.
				•	Calculate and
				display average, maximum, and minimum hurricane speed, pressure, and
		Structures
		•	Arrays (one	category from an input file.
		dimension): IVD
				•	Challenge Exam
				(Module 4 – 6).
	7 Methods	Program		•	Calculate x,y	Methods
		Implementation		coordinates on the		•	The main Method 1

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 4

		• Top-down	circumference of a circle.	• Comments 1
		development: IIA1b		• Multiple Variable
		• Procedural	• Convert to and	Declarations 1
		abstraction: IIA1d	from English to	• Static Methods 1, 2, 3
		• Method declarations:	metric units.	• Defining New Static
		IIB2e	• Calculate the	Methods 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
		• Parameter	surface gravity on each planet.
		declarations: IB2f		Practice Test #10
		• Control – Methods:	• Calculate
		IIB4a	individual weight on
		Java library classes (Math): IIC •	each planet.
			Approximate the value of pi by •
		Program Analysis	simulating throwing
		• Limitations of finite	darts.
		representations (e.g., integer bounds, imprecision of floating-point representations, and round-off error): IIIH2	• Oral Quiz
			(Modules 4 – 7)
8	Introduction to	Object-Oriented Program Design	Identify examples of real-world •	Object-oriented Programming Concepts
	OOP and
	Classes	• Read and understand	classes, objects, methods, and attributes.
		problem description,		• OOP and Java
		purpose, and goals:		• Classes and Instances
		IA1	• Evaluate OOP,	1, 2, 3
		• Apply data	procedural, and non-
		abstraction and	procedural styles.	Simple Objects
		encapsulation: IA2	• Calculate the fuel	Errors, Exceptions, and Garbage Collection. •
		• Design and	economy of the family car in terms
		implement a class: IB1		• Arrays of Objects 1, 2,
		• Apply functional	of miles per gallon and gallons per mile.	3
		decomposition: IB3		• ArrayLists 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
			• Calculate fuel	6, 7, 8
		Program	economy for	Person Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 •
		Implementation	multiple car objects.
		• Object-oriented	• Project annual	Point Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 •
		development: IIA1a	family fuel usage.
		• Encapsulation and	• Create program
		information hiding:	documentation using javadocs. • Calculate carbon	Public Classes and the Java Compiler • Java Virtual Machine
		IIA1c
		Primitive types vs. objects: IIB1 •
			dioxide emitted from
		• Class declarations:	gasoline consumption.	Java Basics
		IIB2c		• Overloading Methods
		Java class libraries (ArrayList): IIC •	• Calculate carbon	1, 2
			dioxide footprint

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 5

			based on family electricity use.	Practice Test #11, #12,
	Program Analysis				#13
	•	Categorize errors:	• Calculate net
	compile-time, runtime, logic: IIIB1		carbon dioxide footprint based on
			levels of recycling.
	Standard Data		Model the family carbon dioxide •
	Structures
	• Classes: IVB		footprint.
	• Lists IVC		• Discussion:
	• Arrays IVD		Computer Modeling
			• Challenge Exam
			(Module 7 – 8).
9 Computer	Standard Data Structures		• Distinguish	Computing in Context
Systems and			between analog and	• Hardware
History	•	Arrays (2-d): IVD	digital computing.	• Systems and System
			• Conduct a family	Software
	Computing in Context		computer hardware
			and software	Variables and Arithmetic Expressions Arrays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 •
	System reliability VIA •		inventory. • Investigate
			computer pioneers and devices of early
			computer history.
			• Create time line of
			four generations of computers and correlate to historical/ cultural events and personal family history.
			Calculate projectile trajectory table based on launch angle and speed. •
10 Semester Exam			• Semester Exam	•	Review

---Semester 2---

Module	Scope and	College Board Topic Outline Objectives			Assignments	IMACS Lessons
	Sequence
11	Computing in	Computing in Context		•	Create a family
	Context			identify theft
		•	System reliability:	prevention plan.
		VIA		•	Conduct a

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 6

		• Privacy: VIB	computer security
		• Legal issues and	audit.
		intellectual property:	• Discuss online
		VIC	safety and
		Social and ethical ramifications of computer use: VID •	intellectual property issues.
			• AP Computer
			Science Labs intro.
12	Recursion	Program Implementation	Discuss examples of real-world •	Java Basics
				Recursive Methods 1, 2, 3, 4 •
		• Understand and	recursion.
		evaluate recursive	• Create Mondrian	• Lab 1: Chatter
		methods:IIB4e	art using recursion.
			• Visualize the
		• AP Computer	recursive leap of faith (the Towers of Hanoi and Martin and the Dragon)
		Science Lab Student Guide: Magpie
			Translate piecewise functions into recursive methods. •
			• Calculate Fibonacci
			numbers recursively.
			• Determine if a
			phrase is a palindrome recursively.
			• Collaboratively
			decode a secret message.
			• AP Computer
			Science Lab: Magpie
			Oral Quiz (Modules 8 – 12) •
			Challenge Exam Module 12 •
13	Inheritance and Polymorphism	Object-Oriented Program Design	Extend a box class to create a cube •	Inheritance and Polymorphism
		• Read and understand	class.	• Extending Classes 1, 2,
		class specifications and relationships among the classes (“is-a,” “has-a” relationships): IA3	Extend a triangle class to create equilateral and isosceles classes. •	3, 4
				Class Hierarchies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 •
				• Polymorphism 1, 2, 3,
			• Create a class	4, 5, 6
		• Understand and	hierarchy to represent simple	Overriding Methods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 •
		implement a given class hierarchy: IA4
			terrains in a graphics	• IMACS Project 1 and
		Identify reusable components from •	game.	2
			• AP Computer	• Practice Test #15

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 7

		existing code using classes and class libraries: IA5	Science Lab: Magpie	• Lab 1: Chatter [9]
		• Extend a given class
		using inheritance: IB4
		Program Implementation
		Java library classes (Object): IIC •
		Program Analysis
		• Test classes and
		libraries in isolation:
		IIIA1
		• Perform integration
		testing: IIIA3
		Extend existing code using inheritance: •
		IIID
		Standard Data
		Structures
		• Classes: IVB
		• AP Computer
		Science Lab Student
14	Classes Revisited	Object-Oriented Program Design	Calculate prime numbers. •	OOP - Class
				Definitions Revisited
		• Apply functional	• Perform a	Multiple Constructors 1, 2 •
		decomposition: IB4	frequency analysis
			on a passage of text.	• Overloaded
		Program	• Translate a text
		Implementation	message into Morse
			code.
			Encode and decode a secret •
15	Abstraction and Interfaces	Program	• Create abstract	OOP - Abstractions
		Implementation	classes for	• Abstract Classes 1, 2, 3
		• Interface	homework	Interfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 •
		declarations: IIB2d	assignments in
		Java library classes (List, Comparable): •	different subjects.	• Comparable <T>
			• Implement an	Interface 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
		IIC	interface to process homework assignments in different subjects.
		Standard Data		Data Structures
		Structures		• Lists: The List <E>
		• Classes: IVB	• Implement	Interface

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 8

		•	Lists: IVC	Comparable <T> to process homework assignments in different subjects. • Use an interface	•	Lab 6: Image
		AP Computer Science Lab Student Guide: Picture
				and abstract classes to process an
				inventory of
				products.
				• AP Computer
				Science Lab: Picture
				Challenge Exam Module 15 •
	16 Algorithms	Object-Oriented Program Design		• Traverse a set of	Algorithms
				election results,	• Algorithms 1 ,2 , 3
		•	Choose appropriate	calculate the total	• Traversals
		data representation		votes, and print an updated report.	• Replacements
		and algorithms: IB2			• Insertions 1, 2, 3
				Traverse a set of election results, •	• Deletions
		Standard Data			Lab 6: Image Processing [8][10] •
		Structures		replace vote counts,
		• Lists: IVC		calculate the new
		• Arrays: IVD		results, and print an updated report.
		Standard Algorithms		• Traverse a set of
				election results,
		• Traversals: VA1		insert write-in
		• Insertions: VA2		candidates, calculate
		• Deletions: VA3		the new results, and
		AP Computer Science Lab Student Guide: Picture		print an updated report.
				• Traverse a set of
				election results, delete incorrect data,
				calculate the new
				results, and print an updated report.
				• Process a set of
				student grades using traversal, insertion, replacement, and deletion methods.
				• AP Computer
				Science Lab: Picture
17 Sorting		Object-Oriented Program Design		• Use an insertion	Algorithms
				sort to arrange a	•	Insertion Sort 1, 2, 3,
		•	Choose appropriate	movie list in	4, 5, 6
		data representation		ascending or	•	Selection Sort 1, 2, 3,

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 9

	and algorithms: IB2		descending order by title, release year, or studio.		4, 5, 6, 7
	Program				Merge Sort 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 •
	Implementation		•	Use a selection sort	• Lab 8: Elevens
	•	Understand and	to arrange a movie list in ascending or		[1][2][3]
	evaluate recursive
	methods:IIB4e		descending order by
	Standard Algorithms		title, release year, or studio.
			•	Use a mergesort to
	• Selection Sort: VC1		arrange a movie list
	• Insertion Sort: VC2		in ascending or
	• Mergesort: VC3		descending order by
			title, release year, or
	• AP Computer		studio.
	Science Lab Student Guide: Elevens		•	AP Computer
			Science Lab: Elevens
18 Searching	Standard Algorithms		•	Conduct a	Searching
			sequential search for		• Sequential Search 1, 2
	•	Sequential Search:	specific titles, release		Binary Search 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 •
	VB1		year, or artist in a
	• Binary Search: VB2		collection of music CDs.		• Lab 8: Elevens [4][6]
	• AP Computer		•	Conduct a binary
	Science Lab Student Guide: Elevens		search for specific
			titles, release year, or artist in a collection of music CDs.
			•	Use binary and
			sequential searches to locate specific individuals in a contact list by name, relationship, birthday, phone number, or email address.
			•	AP Computer
			Science Lab: Elevens
			•	Challenge Exam
			Module 17 and 18.
			Oral Quiz (Modules 13 – 18). •
19 Program	Program Analysis		•	Handle exceptions	Algorithms/Program
Analysis	•	Identify boundary	appropriately when processing a set of		Analysis
	cases and generate appropriate test data:				• Assertions and
			student grades.		Exceptions 1, 2, 3, 4

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 10

		IIIA2	• AP Computer	• Lab 8: Elevens
		Perform integration testing: IIIA3 •	Science Lab: Elevens	[7][8][9]
		Understand runtime exceptions: IIIE1 •
		• Pre- and post-
		conditions: IIIF1
		• Assertions: IIIF2
		Informal comparisons of •
		running times: IIIG1
		Exact calculation of statement execution counts: IIIG2 •
		• AP Computer
		Science Lab Student Guide: Elevens
20	AP Exam		Exam Review	IMACS Be Prepared
	Review		• Teacher lead	for the AP Computer Science Exam
			reviews.
			Student self study with Barron’s or other AP Exam Review books. •	• Exam Format and
				Materials
				• The Java Subset
				• Grading
			Practice test with the 2009 AP Computer Science Exam. •	• Exam Taking Hints • Java Features
				Program Design and OOP Concepts •
				• Algorithms
				Past Free Response Questions •
				Past Free Response Questions •
				• A Exam 1, 2

APCS Scoring Component	Description	Modules within Course
[C1]	The course teaches students to design and implement computer- based solutions to problems	Modules 2 – 9, 12 – 19
[C2]	The course teaches students to use and implement commonly used algorithms.	5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18
[C3]	The course teaches students to use and implement commonly- used data structures.	6, 8, 9 , 15, 16, 17, AP Computer Science Labs (12-19)

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 11

[C4]

[C5]

[C6]

[C7]

[C8]

The course teaches students to select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems.

The course teaches students to code fluently in an object- oriented paradigm using the programming language Java.

The course teaches students to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset delineated in Appendices A and B of the AP Computer Science Course Description.

The course teaches students to read and understand a large program consisting of several classes and interacting objects. In particular, the course enables students to read and understand the current AP Computer

The course teaches students to recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use.

12, 16, 17, 18

8, 13, 14, 15, AP Computer Science Labs (12-19)

1 – 9, 12 – 19

AP Computer Science Labs 12-

19

5, 8, 9, 11, 14

AP® Computer Science A

VirtualSC

Page 12