COURSE: AP Computer Science Principles

TEACHER: Ms. Ryder

email: lryder@conejousd.org
website: www.conejousd.org/whs/Departments/Math/Ryder

TEXT: Invitation to Computer Science, 7th Edition; Schneider and Gersting; Cengage Learning 2016

COURSE DESCRIPTION: AP (Advanced Placement) indicates the course is meant to be taught at

the college level; the expectations of student behavior and motivation are set accordingly. This
Advanced Placement course is the study of several aspects of computer science including algorithms,
abstractions, data, and the internet. This course will also include an introduction to both block-based
and text-based programming and computational thinking ideas.

AP ASSESSMENTS: This course is designed to prepare students for success on the AP Computer
Science Principles Exam and Performance Assessment Tasks. The Performance Assessment tasks
are completed by the middle of April, the AP Exam is in May. All students are required to complete
the Performance Assessment tasks and are expected to take the AP Exam.

SUPPLIES: Students need to come to class prepared to take notes during lecture, complete
classwork, and keep materials organized. A spiral notebook with folders or a 3-ring binder with a
supply of paper is recommended. Students must be able to access their accounts on the school
computers.

CLASS STRUCTURE: The course will include taking notes on new material from lectures, reading
and completing assignments out of the textbook, completing worksheets, using online coding practice
tools, and solving problems and writing programs on the computer. There will be a lot of time in class
to work on assignments, but there may not be enough time in class to complete all of the
assignments. The classroom will be open during some lunch periods, and sometimes during period 7
and after school.

COMPUTER CLASSROOM: Room 22G is the computer science classroom. No food, drink, or gum
is allowed near or next to the computers. Students may not use outside software any type (games or
music). Students must not make use of the internet or email without first obtaining permission from
the instructor. Students may choose to work on programs at home, but are still expected to be on task
during class programming periods. Students who are not on task during programming periods will lose
points on programming assignments.

PYTHON SOFTWARE: Having a computer and Python development environment software at home
is helpful, but not a necessity. The classroom lab has PC computers with Python 3.x installed.
Students may use the built in IDLE text editor. Students may wish to download this at home or use an
online IDE. However, using a text editor that has an auto code completion feature may inhibit a
student from learning code development.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are expected to turn in programming and written work that is of
their own development. Permissible collaboration includes asking help from other students on
concepts or how to attack a certain aspect of a problem or program. What each student turns in must
be their own unique work. Copying someone else’s work in any way, sharing work, splitting up work
among individuals, or doing someone else’s work is NOT permissible and is considered academic
dishonesty. Receiving files or copies from another student or source is NOT permissible and is
considered academic dishonesty. Giving your own files or code to another student is also NOT
permissible and is considered academic dishonesty. This applies to online programming practice as
well as programming assignments. Normal classroom academic honesty rules apply for other
assignments such as bookwork, worksheets, and tests. All academic dishonesty situations will be
dealt with following school policy.
ABSENCES: Chapter and Unit schedules are posted online and students are expected to keep up
with HW and CW if absent. Students absent for lectures can get lecture notes from a fellow student
or the notes binder that is kept in the classroom when they return. Students absent on a
programming assignment day will NOT be given extra days to complete the assignment. If a student
is absent only the day before a test and in class on the day of the test, they will take the test as
scheduled. In the unlikely event that a student is absent (excused) on a test day, the test or an
alternate test must be taken during the next possible class. The alternate tests may be more difficult
and/or have no partial credit. Students with truants or unexcused absences on test days will receive a
0 for that test.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of electronic devices, including cell/smartphones and recording
devices, is not allowed at any time without permission from the teacher. Having an electronic device
out, easily accessible, or in your clothing during a test or quiz, or during test or quiz corrections, or any
time tests or quizzes are out in the classroom is considered an act of academic dishonesty even if the
student does not have a test immediately on their own desk.

ASSESSMENTS:
Homework is given regularly and will be checked or collected the following day.
Classwork is given regularly and may be checked or collected at the end of the period.
Online Programming Practice is assigned for some chapters and may be completed in class or at
home. Proof of completion must be provided by the due date, no late work will be accepted.
Programming Assignments are given each chapter and will be graded on the computer. In addition
either hand copied, hard copies, or electronic copies of programs may be collected.
Tests or Quizzes are given at the end of each chapter and will consist of both multiple choice and free
response questions.
Final The semester finals will cover all topics studied during the semester.
Extra Credit will be given rarely and may not be made up or turned in late. Extra credit is given for
active participation in the WHS Computer Science Club.

LATE WORK: Absolutely no late work is accepted for CW, HW, Online Practice, or Extra Credit.
Programing assignments are accepted up to two weeks after the due date for partial credit.

GRADES: Grades are based on overall points for the entire semester. Progress grades are posted on
Q/Zangle. Issues with grades need to be addressed ASAP by the student in writing via email.

Points per Chapter:

HW and CW: 10-20 points
Online Programming Practice: 10-20 points
Programming Assignments: 20-70 points
Quizzes: 10-50 points
Tests: 100 points

Final: 200 points

The grading scale is:

90%-100% A
80%-90% B
70%-80% C
60%-70% D
Below 60% F

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