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 B

Unit 1: Digital Information

In this unit, students will learn about the various ways we represent information digitally. Topics covered include number systems, encoding data, programmatically creating pixel images, comparing data encodings, compressing and encrypting data. Students will work in pairs to develop their own data encryption algorithms and attempt to crack the encryptions of their peers. Their text encryption tool will be embedded in their portfolio websites.

1.1 Intro to Digital Information

1.2 Number Systems

1.3 Encoding Text with Binary

1.4 Pixel Images

1.5 Hexadecimal

1.6 Pixel Colors!

1.7 Image Manipulation

1.8 Data Compression

1.9 Lossy Comprehension

1.10 Cryptography

1.11 Digital Information Quiz

Unit 2: Practice PT: Steganography

In this project, students will be implementing a form of cryptography known as Steganography. Students can choose this practice PT or the following.

2.1 Practice PT: Steganography

Unit 3: Practice PT: Create Your Own Image Filter!

In this project, students pair up with a partner to develop a novel image filter that can be applied to any digital image of their choosing. They will describe their image filter, and their development process, and embed their image filter along with its description on their personal portfolio website. Students can choose this practice PT or the previous.

3.1 Practice PT: Create an Image Filter!

Unit 4: The Internet

This unit explores the structure and design of the internet, and how this design affects the reliability of network communication, the security of data, and personal privacy. Students will learn about the

protocols and algorithms used on the internet and the importance of cybersecurity. Students will choose an innovation that was enabled by the Internet and explore the positive and negative impacts of their innovation on society, economy, and culture. Students will develop a computational artifact that illustrates, represents, or explains the innovation’s purpose, its function, or its effect, and embed this artifact in their personal portfolio website.

4.1 Welcome to the Internet

4.2 Internet Hardware

4.3 Internet Addresses

4.4 Viewing Websites

4.5 DNS

4.6 Routing

4.7 Packets and Protocols

4.8 Sequential, Parallel, & Distributed Computing

4.9 Cybersecurity

4.10 The Impact of the Internet

4.11 Creative Credit & Copyright

4.12 The Internet Quiz

Unit 5: Practice PT: The Effects of the Internet

In this project, students will choose an innovation that was enabled by the Internet and explore the positive and negative impacts of their innovation on society, economy, and culture. Students will develop a computational artifact that illustrates, represents, or explains the innovation’s purpose, its function, or its effect, and embed this artifact in their personal portfolio website.

5.1 The Effects of the Internet

Unit 6: Data

In this unit, students will explore using computational tools to store massive amounts of data, manipulate and visualize data, find patterns in data, and draw conclusions from data. Students will consider how the modern wealth of data collection has impacted society in positive and negative ways. Students will work in teams to investigate a question of personal interest and use public data to present a data-driven insight to their peers. They will develop visualizations to communicate their findings, and embed their visualizations in their portfolio websites.

6.1 Getting Started with Data

6.2 Visualizing and Interpreting Data

6.3 Data Collections & Limitations

6.4 Data Quiz

Unit 7: Practice PT: Present a Data-Driven Insight

In this project, students will work with a partner to answer a question of personal interest using a publicly available data set. Students will need to produce data visualizations and explain how these visualizations led to their conclusions. They will develop a computational artifact that illustrates, represents, or explains their findings, communicate their findings to their classmates, and embed their artifact in their personal portfolio website.

7.1 Present a Data-Driven Insight

Unit 8: CSP Explore Task Practice

8.1 The Impacts of Computing

Unit 9: Create Performance Task

9.1 Create Performance Task

Unit 10: AP Exam Review

10.1 Preparation

10.2 Practice AP Exam

Unit 11: Creative Development

In this unit, students will brainstorm their own final project, discuss their ideas with their peers, scope their project to fit within the time constraints of the class, plan out milestones for incremental development, and create their own final product from scratch. This project allows students to think creatively about the applications of the concepts covered in the course, and create something of personal value.

11.1 Intro to Design Thinking

11.2 Prototype

11.3 Test

11.4 Project Prep and Development

Unit 12: Final

12.1 Final