Coach Olney
Ms. Denise Peek
What is AP Computer Science A?
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com
AP Computer Science A
 Introductory Computer Science
 Object Oriented Programming
 Equivalent to first semester college level course
“It is designed to serve as a first course in
computer science for students with no
prior computing experience.”
AP Computer Science A
 Goals:
 design and implement solutions to problems by writing,
running, and debugging computer programs.
use and implement commonly used algorithms and
data structures.
develop and select appropriate algorithms and
data structures to solve problems.
AP Computer Science
 Goals continued:
 code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the
programming language Java. Students are expected to be
familiar with and be able to use standard Java library
classes from the AP Java subset.
AP Computer Science A
 read and understand a large program consisting of several
classes and interacting objects. Students should be able to
read and understand a description of the design and
development process leading to such a program. (An
example of such a program is the AP Computer Science
Case Study.)
recognize the ethical and social implications of
computer use.
AP Computer Science A
 Who can take AP “Comp Sci”?
 Any rising Junior or Senior who has completed any
math course above GPS Geometry (Math 2);
 Rising Juniors currently taking GPS Geometry with an
average of 85% or better;
Rising Sophomores currently taking GPS
Accelerated Algebra Honors with an average of 90%
(unweighted) or better.
AP Comp Sci A
How is the course taught?
In this classroom and lab
At least 60% of the class time is dedicated to the lab
Software used:
Alice
Dr. Java
Other Resources: Textbook, Chortle Website, Blue
Pelican Java on-line text, Head First Java on-line text,
CodingBat website, Oracle API, etc.
AP Computer Science A
Why take AP Comp Sci?
Culminates in the
AP Computer Science A exam
in early May
Potential college credit
AP Computer Science A
Computers are our future
AP Computer Science A
 What do you need to do next?
 Complete the AP Commitment Contract
 Attach a copy of your transcript
 Submit to Ms. Peek by February 2, 2012