Computer Science, Astronomy, Electronics, and Physics Courses
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AP Java |
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One-semester electives open to students in grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Vary with option chosen; see instructor
Fall and
Spring
This is a program in which the student meets with the instructor a designated number of times per week.
Students can choose from a number of options such as the ones listed below; the course is chosen after a consultation with the instructor.
During the
meeting, it is verified that the student has the necessary background, time,
and interest.
| Ø MatLab | Ø Numerical Methods | Ø Assembly Language | Ø Artificial Intelligence |
| Ø Finite Element Methods | Ø Operating Systems | Ø Advanced Robotics | Ø Advanced Java |
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fall
The Mobile Robotics elective uses the
NXT robot to demonstrate concepts as they are covered. Topics include
microprocessors, locomotion, kinematics, perception, navigation, and
sensors. Students will build robots to compete in various contests such as
maze navigation, route following, obstacle avoidance, and battle bots.
Mobility is provided by servo motors. The robots utilize various sensors
such as light, touch, sound, compass, and ultrasonic to gather information
about the environment. The responses from these sensors are then analyzed by
code written by the student that directs the robots to take specified
actions to accomplish designated objective. The robots are programmed using
the powerful LabView software developed by National Instruments.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fall
This
course provides an in-depth treatment of two very powerful graphics
programs, OpenGL and DirectX. The course is taught using the high-level
language C++ but that language is not a prerequisite – information required
is covered throughout the course as needed.
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library)
is a large open source library of code for writing applications that produce
2D and 3D computer graphics.
Microsoft’s DirectX
is a collection of application programming interfaces
for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and
video.
We also
discuss and use 3-D modeling software such as MilkShape. Students can
download free copies of all of the software from the Internet.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fall
Because it is relatively easy to learn,
Visual Basic is recommended as a first language in computer science. The
course uses the latest edition of the compiler, introduced in 2008. The
language is based on the concepts of object-oriented programming and gives
the user an option of developing either console or Windows applications.
Both options are covered in detail with console applications being the focus
of Visual Basic A. Students can download a free copy of the compiler from
the Microsoft Internet site. Areas discussed first semester include history
and architecture of computers, data types, control structures, classes,
methods, and arrays. The strong graphics capabilities of the language are
emphasized.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fall
C++ is
one of the most powerful languages available. Because of its recognized
strengths, it is used by the national laboratories and corporations
worldwide. The first semester covers the fundamentals of the language such
as data types, control structures, one and two-dimensional arrays, strings,
functions, structs, sorting algorithms, and classes. These are topics that
are typically covered in a first semester college-level course in the
language.
The latest edition of the compiler, introduced in 2008, is used both
semesters; students can download a free copy from the Microsoft Internet
site.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None
Fall
Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe as a whole, and of celestial bodies and the underlying physics governing these bodies. We trace the origins of this exciting field from the contributions of Plato and Copernicus through those of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein to Stephen Hawking and beyond. Areas covered include: planets, stars, and galaxies; observation astronomy and the instruments and techniques used; gravity, light, and space curvature; space exploration, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Current theories concerning topics such as the big bang, loop quantum cosmology, and the cosmic landscape are explored. Throughout the course, the efforts of the pioneers and the paths they followed to their contributions are discussed. The course includes computer software explorations and exercises, telescope labs, and field trips.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 10-12.
Prerequisites: None; the robotics course or a language course is recommended
Spring
This
elective covers most of the topics typically addressed in an introductory
college-level electronics course. Both analog and digital electronics are
discussed with an emphasis on the latter.
Subject areas include the basics of voltage and current, transistors,
capacitors, integrated circuits, circuit analysis, feedback, signals and
processing, sensors, and microprocessors. The efforts of the pioneers and
the paths they followed to their contributions are discussed. Students will
analyze circuits and other design features using computer software and then
construct components in the lab. Laboratory exercises will focus on
applications in the areas of computers and mobile robotics.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None; it is recommended that students take a language course
first.
Spring
This course covers all of the topics
required in preparation for the AP Computer Science A exam. These are topics
typically included in a one-semester college course for computer science
majors. Areas covered include: classes, objects, methods, packages, control
structures, text file input and output, arrays, sorting and searching
algorithms, recursion, and inheritance. A very useful and easy to learn
graphical case study will be covered in detail. Students will utilize the
concepts covered while moving creatures around a two-dimensional grid. The
Eclipse Java compiler will be used; students can download a free copy from
the Internet.
One-semester elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites: Visual Basic A
Spring
This course builds upon the concepts
covered in the first semester and includes inheritance and polymorphism,
exception handling, graphical user interfaces, strings, file handling,
databases, multithreading, graphics, and multimedia. Windows applications
are the focus of Visual Basic B. All of the very powerful Windows controls
are covered including CheckBoxes, ComboBoxes, PictureBoxes, Labels,
ProgressBars, and RadioButtons. The strong graphics capabilities of the
language are stressed and used to develop various games and simulations.
Students can download a free copy of the compiler from the Microsoft
Internet site.
One-semester
elective open to students in grades 9-12
Prerequisites:
C++ Fundamentals
Spring
This
semester
covers additional C++ topics such as classes, inheritance, and abstract data
structures and is taught using the visual option of the language. The
visual in Visual C++, as in Visual
Basic, means that you can see and interact with the tools and code when
developing a project. Visual topics covered include ColorDialog, FontDialog,
ComboBox, Label, and ProgressBar. We will also cover the powerful and easy
to use file handling and database tools.
Students can
download a free copy of the compiler from the Microsoft Internet site.
Full-year elective open to students in grades
10-12.
Prerequisites: Physics I and Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus.
This accelerated, non-calculus, algebra-trigonometry-based course prepares
students to take the Advanced Placement Physics B examination. Topics
covered include kinematics, dynamics, statics, mechanical energy, rotational
mechanics, waves and oscillatory motion, thermodynamics, electricity and
magnetism, optics and waves, relativity, and nuclear
physics.