This is a college level course in Computer Science that includes Object
Oriented Programming. Students are expected to take the College Board's
Advanced Placement Computer Science Test.
Materials
The Textbooks are Java Concepts for AP Computer Science, 5th edition by Cay Horstman and Study Guide for Java Concepts for AP Computer Science, 5th Ed by Frances P. Trees. On the first day of class you will receive a disc with necessary applications and the AP Case study. The password to the StFrank.com web site will also be given to you the first day.
It would be extremely helpful to have a computer at home to
compileand experiment with the textbook programs (a few each chapter) as you read, as well as work on lab assignments. Any computer that runs Java2 1.5 (also known as Java 5 or internally named "Tiger" at Sun) or higher will do.
This includes most computers made in the last 4 or five years, regardless of operationg system. In class we will use computers that run on Windows XP,
but I'll be happy to show you how to do your work running Linux (like Ubuntu or SuSe) or Mac OS X.
As per the school policy, if you have a computer, it cannot be used during school hours. If you use it after or before school hours, you do so at your own risk. You are ecouraged to use the Computer Lab which is open until 6 most days.
Since we have
much to do to get ready for the AP exam, I will have some optional
"Saturday Classes"
early in the year where I can spend more time with you demonstrating how to
install Java, Linux, Eclipse, jEdit, JCreator, BlueJ, or XCode on your computer or
help troubleshoot problems you may be having.
I recommend buying (and using!) a test preparation book (Like the Princeton Review, Leon Schrams book or the
online eIMACS Be Prepared for the AP Exam) to
practice with before the Exam on May 4, 8am (same time as AP Spanish, and same date as AP Statistics, though the Statistics Test is at 12 Noon).
Reading Assignments and Reading Quizzes
Most Chapters will take 1 or 2 classes (though some may take more). You need to read the chapter BEFORE
the first lecture on that chapter. It is VERY helpful for you to answer the "Self-Check" questions and check your answer in the back of the chapter. I like to use an extra bookmark for the answers so I can quickly check the answer.
The course is designed to show you many examples, and along the way you will
discover the general truths. This only works if you allow yourself to
be exposed to something you do not at first understand.
You need to start with reading the chapter, even if it is not completely
clear (In fact, this will be the case, most of the time!). Usually you need to figure out why your "Self Check Question" is wrong before you fully understand some important distictions.
Important Web Sites
- Textbook - The website maintained by the author and publisher.
- St Frank.com - The Class' web page.
- APCS Wiki - The Class wiki for assignments, hints and solutions
- APCS Java - Fr Chris' Video Blog
- College Board - The AP Computer Science home page maintained by the College board.
Classroom Labs, Homework and Unit Labs
Despite the fact that the AP Exam is a written exam, programming is an activity, and best learned while working on a program. Some class lectures will explain the chapter's ideas and programs, but usually there
will be a classroom lab assignment to help you practice and explore these ideas.
I will circulate around the room offering my help, but it is expected that your ask help from your neighbor, as well as offer your help when a fellow student may need it. Not every topic is as quick and easy to learn as others, and different people will understand different ideas quicker than others.
It is often the case that you have to finish these labs outside of class. The textbook is quite clear about the difference between helping and copying.
Even if you needed to be shown the solution, it is vital that you fully
UNDERSTAND the solution.
Easier versions have a lower maximum score than the difficult versions which are usually more complex. Once we are about half way through the book, we will have Unit programming projects that combine ideas from all previous chapters.
Quizzes and Tests
Class time is at a premium, but we need Quizzes and Tests to practice for the AP Exam. Tests will be designed to simulate the AP exam, with a combination of
multiple choice and free response questions. In addition to the graded
homework labs, we will ocationally do a lab Test to confirm that you understand the homework programming exercises. There will be a 90 minute exam at the end of each quarter (October 11, December 18, March 14, May 15). If no one is enrolled in foreign language, we could use this time instead of the last
class of the quarter, allowing us to have more class time.
GridWorld Case Study
Nearly 20% of the AP Exam is on this Case Study. We are preparing for the AP
Computer Science A Exam, so we will only cover the first 4 chapters of the Gridworld Case Study. We will work through the first chapter of the Case Study early in the year, but the rest of the
chapters can only be completed after finishing the textbook.
Fourth Quarter Final Project
After the AP Exam, much of the class time will be working on your final project.
It will be a graphics program or applet of your choosing. Like the Graded Labs, you may choose a simple project that has a lower maximum score, or a more ambitious project that has a higher maximum score. The EDLINE link to "Student Examples" has examples.
Extra Credit
According to the Extra Credit policy of the school, Extra Credit may not exceed more than 5% of the semester grade. If you are doing poorly and wish to get more points (not to exceed 5% of the total points), you may prepare a test question from an AP Study Guide or a past AP Comp Sci A Exam to present to the class. Make a Powerpoint (or Keynote) presentation that (1) shows the class the question and (2) clearly explains the correct answer.
Classroom Discipline
- DO NOT DISRUPT CLASS
For the sake of the majority of the class, those who disrupt
a class lesson by talking, disturbing someone, or throwing any
object will not be tolerated. Disciplinary measures may include
written assignments or cleaning of the classroom. Chronic disruptions
warrant a phone call home and/or a "Saturday".
- DO NOT ABUSE SCHOOL PROPERTY
You are
responsible for your work place and will be held accountable to
keep your desk and its environs clean. Feet should remain on the floor,
never on the desk. All four feet of the desk must also remain on
the floor. Be gentle when using a school computer. If you are
banned from the use of a school computer, all computer based
assignments are replaced with extensive written
assignments, and that is no way to take a Computer Science Class!
- DO NOT ABUSE YOUR TIME OR ANYONE ELSE'S
Take advantage of the group work sessions. This is the time
to do your talking---so long as you get the work done. Abuse
of this privilege will result in individual loss of the privilege
as well as the disciplinary measures mentioned above.
Talking without permission during quizzes or tests can and
will be interpreted as cheating. Consult the student handbook
for the consequences of cheating. As per the student handbook,
students are responsible for work missed due to absence the day
they return. If you are present and a quiz or test is scheduled,
you must take it. It is a good idea to have the phone number
of several classmates to see what material
and assignments were covered during your absence. If you miss
a quiz you cannot gain any points for it. Usually one test
score and one quiz score will be dropped each quarter.
If you know you will be absent
for a test, you may schedule to take it before the actual test
date if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
In the case of an extended illness special arrangements should
be made with the Academic Vice Principal, Mr. Trujillo.
- LIVE UP TO YOUR GOOD NAME You are expected to exhibit the
attributes of a St. Francis
Golden Knight: courteous attention, gracious cooperation, and
dedicated study. Each can readily be seen in the thoroughness
and orderliness of your work, as well as how you offer, ask and accept help from others.
Grading
Practically every week will have an evaluation of some sort.
It might be a quick Reading Quiz or Class Lab (a small programming project), or a more involved
written Exam or a Unit Lab (a more involved Programming Project). If you have an
excused absence, you do not need to "make up" a 10 point quiz or lab, but you do
need to "make up" any other evaluation that is worth more than 10 points. An Unexcused absence is
an automatic zero, and late work is always a grade lower. Tests are "Curved" so that the equivalent of an AP score of 3 is 70-79%, 4 is 80-89% and 5 is 90-100%%
| Evaluation | Points |
|---|
| Quizzes | 10 |
| Homework | 10 |
| Unit Labs | 20 |
| Lab Tests | 20 |
| Written Tests | 20 |
| Quarter Exam | 100 |
| 4th Quarter Final Project | 100 |
The overall letter
grades are computed by using the standard percentage ratio:
 .
I will drop one low Quiz and one low Class Lab every quarter to base the letter grade on the students best performance.
Since these scores are not counted in
the overall score, the percentages are NEVER rounded up (I'm already basing your grade on your best work). Therefore, the average is converted into letter grades strictly as follows:
| 90% to 100% | A
|
| 80% to 89.9999% | B
|
| 70% to 79.9999% | C
|
| 60% to 69.9999% | D
|
| 0% to 59.9999% | not a D
|
You must follow directions carefully when taking online quizzes. For example, you may not press the "Back" button during a Reading Quiz. Failure to follow this instruction will score an automatic "50%" on your quiz.
|