Computer Science

Computer Science Essentials (CSE) is designed to be a full-year (180-day) course implemented in the 9th grade.  This course is an excellent entry point for new high school computer science (CS) learners. And students who have prior CS experiences will find ample opportunity to expand upon those experiences in this course. All students who take CSE will have many opportunities for creative expression and exploration in topics of personal interest, whether it be through app development or connecting computing with the physical world.

CSE is designed with strong connections to the Computer Science K12 Frameworks (CS K12), the Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science (CSTA K-12 CS) Level 3A Standards, and the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) Frameworks. Though CSE is not an instance of the AP Computer Science Principles course (CSP), it will boost student success for those who continue in the PLTW CSP course. These intentional connections to widely accepted standards will help students gain confidence and reinforce essential concepts and skills that build toward life-long success in the computer science pathways beyond just PLTW courses.

PLTW CSE introduces students to coding fundamentals through an approachable, block-based programming language where they will have early success in creating usable apps. As students sharpen their computational thinking skills, they will transition to programming environments that reinforce coding fundamentals by displaying block programming and text-based programming side-by-side. Finally, students will learn the power of text-based programming as they are introduced to the Python® programming language.

The course engages students in computational thinking practices and collaboration strategies, as well as industry-standard tools authentic to how computer science professionals work. Students will learn about professional opportunities in computer science and how computing can be an integral part of all careers today. The following is a list of the units of study in the course.

 

Unit 1 Creative Computing: Building with Blocks

Unit 2 Computing and Society: Transitions to Text

Unit 3 Solving with Syntax

Unit 4 Computing with a Purpose

 

Computer Science Principles (CSP) is a full-year course (160 days) recommended for students in grades 10–12. CSP is aligned with the College Board AP Computer Science Principles exam requirements and framework. The course is also designed with strong connections to the Computer Science K12 Frameworks (CS K12), ISTE Standards, and the Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science (CSTA K-12 CS) Level 3A Standards.

In Computer Science Principles, students develop the in-demand computer science skills critical to thrive in any of today’s and tomorrow’s careers. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. It aims to build students’ awareness of the tremendous demand for computer scientists and those who have computational thinking skills, and engages students to consider issues raised by the impact of computing on society. Each unit also focuses on one or more computer science-specific career paths.

Computer Science Principles provides students with a broad exposure to the many aspects of computer science while encouraging creativity, socially responsible choices, and ethical behavior. It inspires algorithmic and computational thinking, helping students see themselves in a career path they might not have initially chosen.

Following is a list of the units of study included:

CSP Unit Summary
Unit 1 Creative Computing for All
Unit 2 Every Bit of the Internet
Unit 3 Little Data to Big Data
Create Performance Task
Unit 4 Solving Complex Problems

Computer Science A (CSA) is designed to be a full-year (160-day) course implemented in the 12th grade. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. CSA is designed with alignment to the College Board Computer Science A framework. The course is also designed with strong connections to the Computer Science K12 Frameworks (CS K12), ISTE Standards, and the Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science (CSTA K-12 CS) Level 3A Standards.

Fundamental topics in this course include the design and development of solutions that use control-structures, data structures, and object-oriented programming using the Java programming language, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.

Chapter 1 Java Coding Fundamentals

Chapter 2 Iteration and Classes

Chapter 3 Arrays

Chapter 4 Inheritance and Recursion

COURSE OVERVIEW: 

This capstone course will provide the opportunity for students to show mastery of their knowledge and use of programming languages acquired in previous courses as tools to create a large software project. The development process will utilize the software development life cycle and Agile Software Development strategies.  Students will test and revise their solutions according to customer requirements and industry mentor feedback. Students will also create a business charter to facilitate the design process and a marketing plan to promote their projects.

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES 

Expected outcomes are from the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards, adopted by the California State Board of Education in January, 2013. Students are expected to perform at a proficient level on a variety of tasks and assessments addressing both the content and skill standards for Software Design and Development.  Levels of proficiency are defined near the end of this course outline under Classroom Performance Criteria.