AP Computer Science A Course - AP Central | College Board

APCS A is an introductory college-level computer science course. Students cultivate their understanding of coding by analyzing, writing, and testing JAVA code to explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. This course includes a broad view of computer operation, the global impact of computing, and then introduces Java programming concepts including variables, selection and object-oriented design. This course is for anyone interested in taking a first-level computer-programming course, particularly those who attend a school that does not provide a similar class.

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. AP CSA focuses on computing skills related to programming in Java, and students without prior computer science experience can do well in this course. It is recommended that students should complete first-year high school algebra before taking this course. Besides learning the language, students are required to take 20 hours of hands-on, structured lab time to practice their problem-solving skills through Java programming.

Course content:
AP Computer Science Principles builds upon CSA and provides broader aspects of computing. Therefore, the course content focuses on introducing big ideas of computer science applications in multiple contexts
Big idea 1: Creative Development – understand the importance of collaboration and program development
Big idea 2: Data – practice data compressions and extracting information from data
Big idea 3: Algorithm and Programming – use algorithm and abstraction to solve problems
Big idea 4: Computer System and Networks – Internet and Parallel and distributed computing
Big idea 5: Impact of Computing – the social, economic, cultural, ethical, and legal impact of computing and programmers.

In the United States, Advanced Placement Computer Science is a suite of Advanced Placement courses and examinations covering areas of computer science. AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science.
AP Computer Science A is more suitable for students who have a strong interest in computer science or have practice some level of coding prior to enrollment. Specifically, if you’re interested in major in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), or major in Computer Science in College, this is definitely the course you should take to give you credit transfer. The college will also expect to see a high score on this exam on your transcript as a confirmation of profound interest in this area.
Computer Science through Programming is a 3-course sequence that introduces students to critical thinking and problem solving with the fundamentals of programming, enabling them to decompose complex problems into elementary steps for practical implementation in a modern programming language. The courses incorporate research, theory, and practice to help reinforce the principles taught in each class.
As a natural progression, students who have taken CSP should also take CSA if they confirm their interest in the field. CollegeBoard mentioned that these courses can be taken in any order. We recommend that you should start off with CSP then CSA, or taking both CSP and CSA at the same time, because these courses are similar in terms of basic understanding of data structures and algorithms. At Aralia, we offer both AP Computer Science and project-based programming course, where students can kick start their interest and dive further into the world of programming through doing projects and participating in national and international competitions.

Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.

• Concepts
• Past Practice
• APCS Exam