AP® Computer Science Principles

Course Overview:

This AP® Computer Science Principles online course class uses the CompuScholar Computer Science Foundations curriculum as the primary resource. It is taught as a one-year (two-semester) sequence and covers all required topics in the “Computer Science Principles” course description published by the College Board. The Python language is taught as the basis for programming topics.

Students need to have typical computer usage skills prior to starting this course. Other introductory programming courses are not required. All required concepts are taught from the ground up in a fun, step-by-step manner. The course includes uses a variety of multimedia content such as full-color, interactive text, narrated instructional videos, and guided exercises. Strong emphasis is placed on hands-on programming labs to demonstrate mastery of lesson concepts.

This course is fully aligned with the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description. This allows teachers to easily leverage the additional material and practice questions in the AP Classroom.

Semester A: 

In Semester A, students will be introduced to key computing concepts and networking fundamentals. They will begin learning Python, covering essential programming concepts like working with data, input and output, and making decisions using conditionals. The course will teach students how to identify and fix problems in their code and explore loops for repeating tasks.

Students will dive into working with lists and strings, learn mathematical concepts relevant to programming, and practice creating functions to organize and reuse code. The semester culminates in a Mid-Term Project, allowing students to apply their skills and demonstrate their understanding of the topics covered so far.

Semester B: 

In Semester B, students will build on their programming knowledge by exploring collaborative design and development, as well as the process of designing and analyzing real-world algorithms. They will learn about data structures and the impact of computing on society, including legal, ethical, and cybersecurity concerns.

Students will prepare for the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) exam and complete the CSP performance task. The semester also covers web development topics, including creating and designing web pages, adding links, images, and animations, and understanding operating systems and computer files. Additionally, students will learn about search engines and explore various computer careers, helping them understand the broader landscape of computing and technology.