Course Syllabus

AP Computer Science A

Teacher: Bianca Santos-Malabunga       

bsantosmalabunga@wcpss.net

SMART Lunch: Wednesdays-B lunch, Fridays-A lunch

 

Course Description

The Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A (CSA) course, developed by the College Board, is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science (CS1). The course introduces students to computer science through programming with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language. This will help students prepare to take the AP Computer Science A exam at the end of the school year (May 15, 2026, PM), which, if passed, can earn the student college credit.

 

Class Structure

All assignments will be posted on Canvas. We will use Runestone Academy's CSAwesome as the primary text, in addition to AP Classroom, Juicemind, CodeHS, codingbat, etc for class content, practice, and assessments

 

Supplies: Chromebook with internet access

 

Grading

Major Assessments (unit tests, projects)                        70%

Minor Assessments (classwork, homework, quiz)         30%

Q1/Q3           40%

Q2/Q4           40%

Final Exam*   20%

*conducted during exam week, following school protocol for exemptions

 

Course at a Glance

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Schedule/Topic Breakdown for Assessments

Unit

 Sub Unit

Approx Duration

Unit 1: Using Objects & Methods

1a. 1.01-1.06

1b. 1.07-1.15

 ~ 4 weeks

Unit 2: Selection & Iteration

2a. 2.01-2.06

2b. 2.07-2.12

 ~ 3 weeks

Unit 3: Class Creation

3. 3.01-3.09

 ~ 2 weeks

Unit 4: Data Collections

4a. 4.01-4.06

4b. 4.07-4.10

4c. 4.11-4.17

 ~ 6 weeks

AP Test Prep

 

Post Exam Projects

 

 

Class Expectations/Policies

  1. Be present: on time, prepared to learn.
  2. Be respectful. Listen attentively, use polite language, and not disruptive.
  3. Be productive. Participate. If we are working in class, you are expected to be working on the assignment, not chatting or working on assignments for other classes.
  4. Submit all assignments by the due date. Non-submission will be given a 0 in the gradebook until turned in. Late work will incur a 5% penalty daily (with 30% maximum penalty).
  5. Cell phones and other personal connected electronic devices will be silenced and put away while in class and during instructional time.
  6. Cheating will not be tolerated. All code submitted must be your own. AI tools should enhance, not replace, the learning process.
  7. Follow all rules outlined in Panther Creek High School and Wake County Handbooks.

 

AP CSA Exam

Date: MAY 15, 2026

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