Computer Science
Overview
- Some of the courses offered in Computer Science qualify for college credit with Montgomery County Community College. To earn the most college credits from the electives, students should plan on taking Advanced Placement Computer Science for 6 college credits. To better prepare for AP CS, students can also take Game Design plus Electronic Game Development for another 3 credits. This combination nets students 9 college credits. (MCCC requires a fee for granting college credits)
- All of the school district websites are designed, created, and maintained by students. To qualify, students first take Web Application Development I and II. After successful completion of these two .5 credit electives, students can apply for the position of Webmaster. If selected, students take Independent Study in order to discharge their responsibilities as Webmasters. Students who want to become the "Senior Webmaster" (the student in charge) will also need to take Web Application Development III.
- A student who is willing to put in the time to be successful can move directly from Computer Science 9 in freshman year into AP Computer Science sophomore year. However, it is a college level class in every respect. For a solid foundation in Computer Science before tackling AP, students should take either the Web Application Development Sequence or the Electronic Game Development sequence. Both paths prepare for the AP CS course.
Computer Science 9 #1120 (.5 credit)
Computer Science 9 provides students with general knowledge about computer hardware, software, languages, networks and their impact in the modern world. Students acquire a fundamental understanding of the operation of computers and computer networks and create useful programs implementing simple algorithms. By developing web pages that include images, sound, and text, students acquire a working understanding of the Internet, common format for data transmission, and insight into the design of a human-computer interface. Required for graduation.
Web Applications Development I #1100 (.5 credit)
In Web Applications Development I students create functional and effective web pages and websites using current Web standards. Students uses the latest version of HTML and Cascading Style Sheets to produce informational websites. Emphasis is on planning, developing, and testing. Topics relate to human-computer interface as is applies to websites. Ethics, relating to web development, is a thread throughout this course sequence. Projects include information and educational websites. (Grade 9-12) Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of "C" in Computer Science 9.
Web Applications Development II #1110 (.5 credit)
Web Applications Development II provides students with interactivity to their web application development toolbox. Students move from static web page development to dynamic web page development. Concepts related to user interface design and the human-computer interface are integral. Web App II emphasizes client-side scripting with JavaScript, the DOM (document object model), and XMl (extensible markup language). Projects include mobile websites and community content sites (similar to Flikr). (Grades 10-12)Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of "B" in Web Applications Development I and/or teacher recommendation
Web Applications Development III #1140 (.5 credit)
Web Applications Development III helps students add database connectivity to their web application development toolbox. Students transition to fully dynamic web page development tied to a database on the server and explore concepts related to event-driven and interactive programming. The course emphasizes server-sided programming with PHP and SQL (structured query language). (Grades 10-12) Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of "B" in Web Applications Development II and/or teacher recommendation. Note: This course will not be offered until the 2011-2012 school year. Please plan ahead.
Game Design (Honors) #1093 (.5 credit)
Game Design introduces the fundamental techniques, concepts, and vocabulary of game and simulation development. Students explore the historical, social, and cultural effects of games while applying modern game design and development methodologies and principles to create their own games. Students develop a professional game design document that they can take to the next course in the sequence. (Grades 10-12) Prerequisites: A minimum final grade of "C" in Computer Science 9 and teacher recommendation.
Electronic Game Development (Honors) #1102 (.5 credit)
Electronic Game Development provides experiences for students to program a simulation or game application. This course emphasizes software engineering: requirements, design teams, testing and maintenance, documentation, and software design tools. Montgomery County Community College offers credit for a fee (CIS176, 3 credits). (Grades 10-12) Prerequisites: A minimum final grade of "C" in Game Design and teacher recommendation.
Advanced Placement Computer Science #1095 (1 credit)
In Advanced Placement Computer Science students learn Java and object-oriented programming, good programming practices, and program design. Students start with a command line interface and work extensively with the current case study. This course is all year every other day. The AP CS course is equivalent to two MCCC courses (CIS111 and CIS111B, 6 credits). (Grades 10-12) Students should have successfully completed Game Design and Electronic Game Development or Web Applications Development II. Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Senior Thesis in the field of Computer Science #1097 (.5 credit)
See "Senior Thesis"