AP Computer Science, 2009

COURSE TITLE:   AP Computer Science

INSTRUCTOR:     Mr. Michael J. Blochowski

GRADE LEVEL:    11-12

CREDITS:          1.00

TEXT(S):       TITLE: Java Methods

               AUTHOR:  Maria & Gary Litvin

               EDITION:  2006

               PUBLISHER:  Skylight Publishing

               Title: objects First With Java

               AUTHORS:  David J. Barnes & Michael Kolling

               EDITION:  Second Edition 2005

               PUBLISHER:  Pearson Prentice Hall

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is a computer programming course. Therefore the major emphasis in this course is on programming methodology, algorithms, and data structures. The particular programming language used will depend on the needs of the student. Those intending to take the AP Examination will study the JAVA Programming Language. Applications of computing provide the context in which these subjects are treated. Applications are used to develop student awareness of the need for particular algorithms and data structures, as well as to provide topics for programming assignments to which students can apply their knowledge. Treatments of computer systems and the social implications of computing are integrated into the course.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the main principles of object-oriented software design and programming
2. Learn to code fluently in Java in a well-structured fashion that includes style, documentation, and code clarity
3. Learn to use Java library packages and classes within the scope of the AP Java subset
4. Understand the concept of an algorithm and be able to implement algorithms in Java using conditional and iterative control structures and recursion
5. Learn common sorting and searching algorithms including Sequential and Binary search, and Selection, Insertion, and Mergesort
6. Understand one- and two-dimensional arrays and the ArrayList class
7. Use object-oriented approach to solving programming problems
8. Study the Marine Biology Simulation case study and accompanying exercises and questions provided by The College Board
9. Prepare for the AP exam in computer science

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Weeks 1 & 2 - Computer History,

                Computer Hardware and Software, Binary and Hexidecimal Numbering Systems

                Operating Systems,

                  -Windows XP

                E-Mail,

                  -Passwords and Security

                  -Reading, Sending, Replying, and Forwarding mail

                  -Addresses as introduction to the Internet history and structure

                Introduction to Software Development

                  -Algorithms

                  -Compilers and Interpreters

                  -Java Virtual Machine

                  -IDE

                  -Introduction to the BlueJay compiler

                  -System input and output

                  -Programming Errors

                (Pop Quizzes)

 

                Programming Assignment #1 (Due: September 4, 2009) 

       

 

 

 Objectives For Weeks 1 & 2

·           Identify and understand the elements of a computer system.

·          

·           How information is represented in computer memory.

·          

·           Distinguish between source and object code, compilers and interpreters

·          

·           Understand files and the operating system

·          

·           Binary and Hex number system and its significance

·          

·           ASCII/Unicode

·          

·           Hands-on introduction to a simple JAVA program

·          

·           Objects and Classes

·          

·           Methods and Parameters

·          

Weeks 3 - 5  - Understanding Java Classes & Object Interaction

Quiz Tues. 9-4-07

               Chapters 2 & 3

               PowerPoints 5,6 & 8

               Classes and Objects

               Fields, Constructors, and Methods

               Java Syntax and Style

               Comments

               Local variables

               Primitive Data Types

               Constants

               Scope of Variables

               Lifetime of Variables

               Assignment Statement

               Initialization

               Defining Methods

               Accessor Methods

               Mutator Methods

               Constructors

               Creating Objects Using Constructors

               conditional statements

               Boolean Expression

               Calling Methods and Accessing Fields

               System.out.println

               Passing Arguments to Methods and Constructors

               Return Statement

               Public and Private Fields and Methods

               Use of the Debugger

               Abstraction

               Modularization

               Class Diagram

               Object Diagram

               Object References

               New Operator

               Method Overloading

               Internal vs. External Method Call

Quiz Fri. 9-14-07

               Programming Assignment #2 (Due: September 18, 2009)

               Test #1 (September 25, 2009)

Weeks 6 through 9 - Structured Programming

               Chapters 4-5

               Flexible Collection

               Fixed Collection

               iterators

               Looping Structures

                       for Loop

                       while Loop

                       do.. while Loop

               infinite loop

               ArrayList

               Iterator Class

               Random Class

               Arrays

               null

               Casting

               anonymous objects

               import statement

               libraries

               packages

               String

               HashMap

               HashList

               static 

               final

               interface

               implementation

               immutable objects

               information hiding

               class variables 

               Switch statement

               Programming Assignment #3 (Due:  October 20, 2009)

               Programming Assignment #4 (Due:  November 25, 2009)

               Quarter Exam (October 22, 2009)

 AP TEST: May 4, 2010

QUARTER GRADING:

        Computer Assignments           35%

          -Programs

          -Internet Activities 

        Written Homework               15%

          -Study Questions

          -Terms Sheet

        Quizzes                        15%

          -Planned

          -Pop

        Test Scores                    35%

                                      ___

                                       100%

SEMESTER GRADING:

        First Quarter          42.5%

        Second Quarter         42.5%

        Semester Exam          15%

                               ___

                               100%

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

• Lecture or explanation--by the teacher or a student
• Demonstration--by the teacher or a student
• Guided Discovery
• Cooperative learning
• Individualized programs
• On-line activities using computer software