AP Computer Science Principles is a CodeHS course that introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and explores the impact computing and technology have on our society.

With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles gives students the opportunity to explore several important topics of computing using their own ideas and creativity, use the power of computing to create artifacts of personal value, and develop an interest in computer science that will foster further endeavors in the field.

Each unit of the course is broken down into lessons. Lessons consist of video tutorials, short quizzes, example programs to explore, written programming exercises, free response exercises, collaborative creation projects, and research projects. College Board has launched the AP Classroom, a new resource for teachers with summative and formative assessments. At the end of each unit, we recommend that teachers give students the corresponding Personal Progress Check to understand student strengths and weaknesses.

Course Outline

Semester A

Unit 1: Introduction to Programming

This course begins with a strong focus on programming in order to allow students to create computational artifacts early on in the course. Students will be able to use their knowledge of programming to explore future topics in the course.

Students use Karel, a dog that only knows how to move, turn left, and place tennis balls in his world, to learn what it means to program, and to focus on computational problem-solving. Students will learn about the need for programming languages, the uses of programs, how to write programs to solve computational problems, how to design algorithms, how to analyze and compare potential solutions to programming problems, and learn the value and challenges involved in collaborating with others to solve programming problems. Students will use the grid coloring functionality of Karel to create a digital painting and embed this program in their portfolio website.

1.1 Welcome to AP CSP

1.2 Introduction to Programming With Karel

1.3 More Basic Karel

1.4 Karel Can't Turn Right

1.5 Functions in Karel

1.6 The Start Function

1.7 Top Down Design and Decomposition in Karel

1.8 Commenting Your Code

1.9 Abstraction

1.10 Super Karel

1.11 For Loops

1.12 If Statements

1.13 If/Else Statements

1.14 While Loops in Karel

1.15 Control Structures Example

1.16 Debugging Strategies

1.17 Karel Algorithms

1.18 How to Indent Your Code

1.19 Ultra Karel

1.20 Karel Challenges

1.21 Introduction to Programming Quiz

Unit 2: Practice PT: Pair-Programming Paint!

Students will use the grid coloring functionality of Karel to create a digital image. They will then embed this Karel program into their personal website portfolio.

2.1 Practice PT: Pair-Programming Paint!

Unit 3: Programming with JavaScript

This unit introduces students to the basics of JavaScript, including variables, user input, control structures, functions with parameters and return values, and basic graphics, how to send messages to objects.

3.1 What is Code

3.2 Uses of Programs

3.3 Hello World

3.4 Variables

3.5 User Input

3.6 Basic Math in JavaScript

3.7 Using Graphics in JavaScript

3.8 Mouse Events: Mouse Clicked

3.9 Key Events

3.10 Programming with JavaScript Quiz

Unit 4: JavaScript Control Structures

In this unit, students learn how to use Booleans and logical operators with control structures to make more advanced programs in JavaScript.

4.1 Booleans

4.2 Logical Operators

4.3 Comparison Operators

4.4 If Statements

4.5 For Loops in JavaScript

4.6 General For Loops

4.7 For Loop Practice

4.8 Random Numbers

4.9 While Loops

4.10 Loop and a Half

4.11 JavaScript Control Structures Quiz

Unit 5: Functions and Parameters

In this unit, students learn to write reusable code with functions and parameters.

5.1 Functions and Parameters 1

5.2 Functions and Parameters 2

5.3 Functions and Parameters 3

5.4 Functions and Return Values 1

5.5 Functions and Return Values 2

5.6 Local Variables and Scope

5.7 JavaScript vs. Karel

5.8 Basic JavaScript and Graphics Challenges

5.9 Functions and Parameters Quiz

Unit 6: Practice PT: Tell a Story

In this project, students will write a JavaScript program that tells a graphical story

6.1 Project: Tell a Story

Unit 7: Basic Data Structures

In this unit, students learn to write reusable code with functions and parameters.

7.1 Intro to Lists/Arrays

7.2 Indexing Into an Array

7.3 Adding/Removing from an Array

7.4 Array Length and Looping Through Arrays

7.5 Iterating Over an Array

7.6 Finding an Element in a List

7.7 Removing an Element from an Array

7.8 Simulation

7.9 Basic Data Structures Quiz

Unit 8: Midterm

8.1 Midterm