AP Computer Science A

Course Design:

The proposed syllabus is for a two-semester course

 Prerequisite:

Honors Computer Programming.

  Course Objectives:

· Understand the main principles of object-oriented software design and programming

· Learn to code fluently in Java in a well-structured fashion and in good style; learn to pay attention to code clarity and documentation

· Learn to use Java library packages and classes within the scope of the AP/A Java subset

· Understand the concept of an algorithm; implement algorithms in Java using conditional and iterative control   structures and recursion

· Learn common sorting and searching algorithms: Sequential Search and Binary Search, and Selection Sort, Insertion Sort, and Mergesort

· Understand one- and two-dimensional arrays and the ArrayList class

· Acquire skills in designing object-oriented software solutions to problems from various application areas

· Study the Grid World case study and accompanying exercises and questions provided by The College Board

· Discuss ethical and social issues related to the use of computers

· Prepare for the A-level AP exam in computer science.

Syllabus: AP Computer Science A 2

Texts and Supplementary Materials:

 Computing Concepts with JAVA Essentials, Cay Hortsmann

  Litvin, Maria, and Sally Bellacqua, Roger Frank, Craig M. Steele, Dave Wittry. Be Prepared for

the AP Computer Science Exam in Java. Andover , Mass. : Skylight Publishing, 2003.

The College Board’s Grid World Case Study Manual.

Litvin, Maria, and Gary Litvin. 125 Multiple-Choice Questions in Java. Andover , Mass. :

Skylight Publishing, 2003.

  Course Outline:

1. Introduction
2. An Introduction to Objects and Classes
3. Fundamental Data Types
4. Applets and Graphics
5. Decisions
6. Iteration
7. Designing Classes
8. Testing and Debugging
9. Interfaces and Polymorphism
10. Event handling
11. Inheritance
12. Graphical User Interfaces
13. Array Lists and Arrays
14. Exceptions Handling
15. Streams
16. System Design
17. Recursion
18. Sorting and Searching
19. An Introduction to Data Structures

20.Grid World Case Study (Weeks 25-27; duration 3 weeks)

Introduction to the Grid World Case Study. Experimenting with the executable program. Review of

the classes and objects and their interactions.

21. Review and Practice for the Exam (Weeks 28-30; duration 3 weeks)

Reading : Be Prepared, Chapters 1-3 and 5 (past AP CS Exam questions), Be Prepared

practice exams, 125 Multiple-Choice Questions in Java.