AP Computer Science Principles

Prerequisite: Algebra I, Department approval required
Preference is given to juniors and seniors
Fulfills computer science requirement for the STEM Institute Certificate

RPCS Computer Science Principles is a College Board Advanced Placement course that is designed to introduce students to the central ideas and practices of computational thinking, and to show how computing changes the world. Students will have the opportunity to use programming, computational thinking, and data analytics to create digital artifacts and documents representing design and analysis in areas including the structure of the Internet and how it works; algorithms; and the impact that these have on science, business, and society. Students are taught how to use computational tools and techniques including abstraction, modeling, and simulation to collaborate in solving problems that connect computation to their lives. The course is rigorous and rich in computational content, includes critical thinking skills, and engages students in the creative aspects of the field. This course emphasizes themes that help students build a solid understanding and facility with computing and computational thinking — knowledge that is important, if not integral, to being part of a well-educated and informed citizenry. Students take the AP Computer Science Principles exam in May.