Edhesive AP Computer Science A Syllabus 19 20
Edhesive AP Computer Science A Syllabus 19 20
Science A
Computer science embraces problem solving, hardware, algorithms and perspectives that help people utilize
computers to solve real-world problems in everyday life. The AP Computer Science A course introduces students
to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies,
organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions,
and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative
problem solving and design. These techniques represent proven approaches for development solutions that can
scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems.
● Develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve new problems.
● Write, run, test and debug solutions in the Java programming language
● Read and understand programs consisting of several classes and interacting objects
Edhesive’s course is approved by the College Board as an authorized AP® Computer Science A course.
Prerequisites
This course requires a strong foundation in English and mathematics. Students must be comfortable with
functions and the concepts found in the uses of functional notation. Prior computer programming experience is not
required.
Teaching Strategies
The course will consist of video lectures, daily programming exercises, longer coding assignments, and regular
quizzes and exams. Students will also participate in online discussion forums. By the end of the course, students
will be well prepared to take the AP® Computer Science A exam.
Each lesson listed below includes practice exercises, including shorter coding problems. Well over 20 hours of
instructional time is spent in hands-on coding using the course coding exercises, lab assignments and AP labs.
Students participate regularly in a moderated discussion forum that provides support for lesson material and also
introduces discussions of the ethical implications of programming, including copyright law, software piracy,
intellectual property, privacy, and network reliability.
Textbook
This course will reference a free online textbook.
Eck, David J. "Introduction to Programming Using Java." Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges, 17 May
CR2a The course teaches students to use and implement commonly used 5, 6, 9, 10
algorithms.
CR2b The course teaches students to use commonly used data structures. 5 - 10
CR3 The course teaches students to select appropriate algorithms and data 5, 6, 9, 10
structures to solve problems.
CR5 The course teaches students to use elements of the standard Java library 3 - 11
from the AP Java subset in Appendix A of the AP Computer Science A
Course Description.
CR7 The course teaches students to recognize the ethical and social implications 1
of computer use.
Duration:
● 4 Weeks
● Variables
● Number Operations including +, -, *, /, % and the AMth.java functions: static int abs(int x), static double
abs(double x), static double pow(double base, double exponent), static double sqrt(double x), static
double random() // returns a double in the range [0.0, 1.0)
● Data Types
● Error Correction
Lessons:
● Lesson 1: Output in Java
● Boolean Operations
● DeMorgan's Law
● While Loops
Lessons:
● Lesson 11: Simple if's
Duration:
● 5 Weeks
● Concatenation
● For Loops
● One-Dimensional Arrays
● Arrays of Objects
Lessons:
● Lesson 21: Strings as Class Types
Duration:
● 4 Weeks
● Overloading Methods
● Parameter Passing
● Recursion
Lessons:
● Lesson 31: Void Methods
For the coding exercises students transition to creating classes and data structures from scratch, a skill that is
assessed in the lab assignments.
Duration:
● 4 Weeks
● java.util.List interface
● Constructors
● Private/Public
● Wrapper Classes
Lessons:
● Lesson 1: ArrayList
● Lesson 4: Constructors
● Lesson 7: Inheritance
● AP Lab: Magpie
Duration:
● 5 Weeks
● Abstract Classes
Lessons:
● Lesson 7: Inheritance
● AP Lab: Elevens
Duration:
● 3 Weeks
Lessons:
● Lesson 13: Algorithms
Duration:
● 2 Weeks
Lessons:
● Lesson 19: 2-D Arrays
● AP Lab: Picture
Duration:
● 3 Weeks
Review Lessons:
● Programming Fundamentals
● Data Structures
● Logic
● Algorithms
● Object-Oriented Programming
● Recursion
● Software Engineering