| Course: | Information: |
| Computer Programming 1 -- Visual Basic -- Robotics |
(UC) This one-semester beginning-level course, which is open to students in all grade levels, is the first in
the sequence of computer programming classes. This project-based course, which is taught in one of our
high-end Pentium 4 (Windows) computer labs, provides students with hands-on programming experience. The
class teaches logic and problem-solving skills that are transferable to all programming languages, as well
as to other situations. For most of the semester, the students will study the computer language Microsoft
Visual Basic. While working both individually and in small groups on a variety of projects, students will
learn the syntax of the language, as well as good programming techniques and coding styles. For about one month of the semester, students will use programmable moveable robots to learn how to program and how to use their new skills in fun and unique ways. The students will code the robots to use their sensors to navigate obstacles and complete various tasks. Having students start their programming sequence with a visual language allows them to begin designing their own computer programs quickly. All students who are considering pursuing a computer-related career should strongly consider taking this class. In addition, many colleges and universities want engineering and science-oriented freshmen to have computer programming experience. |
| Computer Programming 2 -- C++ -- Java -- OpenGL |
(UC) This one-semester course is the second in the sequence of computer programming courses. This higher-level course provides students with hands-on programming experience. This class is designed for students who have successfully completed a semester of Computer Programming I and wish to continue further in the programming sequence with more advanced work. The course will include larger, more extensive projects (some of which will be student-designed) which students will be expected to complete while working with other students as part of teams. The first part of the semester will be devoted to C++. The languages studied after that can vary depending on the individual interests and abilities of each student. The languages available for this course are C++, Visual Basic, Java, and OpenGL, as well as some Web-based scripting languages and databases (e.g., PHP, MySQL, Perl). Students may also request additional languages. Students will be expected to learn and use more advanced programming techniques and concepts; good programming style is continually stressed in the lab. |
| Computer Programming 3 -- Visual Basic -- C++ -- Java -- OpenGL -- Perl -- PHP -- MySQL -- DirectX |
(UC) This one-semester course is the third in the sequence of computer programming courses. This advanced course provides students with hands-on programming experience. It is a project-based course which is designed for students who have successfully completed the first two semesters of computer programming and who are strongly considering pursuing a career in computer programming or a related field. In this class students will work much more independently (from the instructor) with other students on long-term projects. Students are expected (for the most part) to come up with the ideas for their own projects and then design and create them. In this course students may choose from a variety of programming languages available to them. These include, but are not limited to, Visual Basic, C++, Java, OpenGL, Perl, PHP, MySQL, and DirectX. |
| Computer Programming 4, 5, and 6 -- Visual Basic -- C++ -- Java -- OpenGL -- Perl -- PHP -- MySQL -- DirectX |
(UC) These one-semester courses are continuations of the programming concepts, techniques, and ideas from earlier programming courses in the sequence. Students will continue to work on team projects as they improve their programming skills and learn additional languages and concepts. As in the previous programming classes, students may study a variety of languages. |
| Advanced Placement Computer Programming -- Java |
(UC) Advanced Placement Computer Programming is a year-long course intended for students who want a challenging, in-depth, introductory college-level course in computer programming while still in high school. AP Computer Programming is a nationally-developed, standardized curriculum that helps prepare students to take the College Board AP Computer Science Exam and receive college credit while still in high school (subject to the individual restrictions and requirements of universities). This course is intended for students who are interested in a career or further studies in computer science or who have a serious interest in computer programming. Students will gain extensive experience developing and analyzing algorithms and data structures and creating computer programs to solve given problems. The computer language currently being used by the College Board for the Advanced Placement Exam is Java. |