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AP Computer Science A

The AP Computer Science A (CSA) course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer science and object-oriented programming using the Java language, culminating in an exam that can earn college

Full-year course · 60 lessons · 4 units

  • AP Curriculum
  • Java
  • Voyage
  • Year
  • 9th grade
  • 10th grade
  • 11th grade
  • 12th grade

Course Summary

The AP Computer Science A (CSA) course is an introductory college-level computer science class that focuses on object-oriented programming using Java. Students develop foundational programming skills by exploring concepts like variables, control structures, classes, and objects, along with more advanced topics such as inheritance, polymorphism, arrays, and recursion. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and algorithmic thinking, preparing students for the AP exam.

Course Outline

    1. Introduction to Algorithms Learn what an algorithm is and where they are in your life.
    2. Java Intro
    3. Java Output: Print Statements
    4. Java Commenting
    5. Java String Variables
    6. Java Data Types
    7. Java Concatenation
    8. Java Type Conversion
    9. Java Error Messages and Debugging
    10. Java Math: Addition and Subtraction
    11. Java Math: Multiplication and Division
    12. Java Math Class
    13. Java Modulus
    14. Java Methods
    15. Java Method Parameters
    16. Java Method Return Statements
    17. Error Messages & Debugging

    1. Java Intro to Object Oriented Programming
    2. Java Constructor Parameters/Attributes
    3. Java Create an Object/Instance of a Class
    4. Java Methods in Objects
    5. Java Methods in Objects Continued
    6. Java Updating Instance Fields
    7. Java Conditionals
    8. Java If Statements
    9. Java Else If & Nested If Statements
    10. Java Conditional Operators
    11. Java String Methods
    12. Java String Methods Continued
    13. Java: Scanner Input

    1. Java Arrays
    2. Java Print Out Arrays & API Packages
    3. Java Arrays Continued
    4. Java While Loop
    5. Java For Loops
    6. Java ArrayList
    7. Java ArrayList Continued
    8. Java Loops: Iterating through Arrays
    9. Java For Each Loops / Enhanced Loops
    10. Java Loops: Break and Continue
    11. Java 2D Arrays
    12. Java Accessing Elements in a 2D Array
    13. Java Nested Loops
    14. Java Iterating Through 2D Arrays
    15. Java Row Major Order & Column Major Order
    16. Copyright Learn about the different laws surrounding creative works.

    1. Java Inheritance: Super Classes
    2. Java Access and Scope
    3. Java Access and Scope Continued
    4. Java Keyword: This
    5. Java Constructor/Method Overloading
    6. Java Static Methods and Variables
    7. Java Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism
    8. Java Recursion
    9. Java Bubble Sort
    10. Java Selection Sort
    11. Java Insertion Sort
    12. Java Merge Sort Algorithms
    13. Java Binary Search Algorithms
    14. Java Exception Handling

Standard Alignment

State standards documents

Document Standards Grades
National
2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Alabama
Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arizona
Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arizona Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arkansas
Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming + Skill Struck Alignment Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming · 2023 9-12
California
California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment California K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Idaho
Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Illinois
Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Indiana
Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Iowa
Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Iowa Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kansas
Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kentucky
Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Maryland
Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Michigan
Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Mississippi
Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Missouri
Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nebraska
Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada
Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Computer Science Standards 9-12
New Jersey
New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New York
New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
North Carolina
North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment North Carolina K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Ohio
Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
South Carolina
South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School · 2023 9-12
Tennessee
Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Texas
TEKs Skills for CTE + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Skills for CTE 9-12
Utah
Utah 6-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Utah 6-12 CS Standards · 2019 6-8, 9-12
Virginia
Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Washington
Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Course Project

Students will complete Java projects to practice coding skills and create programs that use classes, objects, and methods. Projects include Ski Shop, Fishy Business, Song Sorter, Dog Walker, and more.

  • AP CSA student project: Wild Nature
    Wild Nature
  • AP CSA student project: Guess the Secret Number
    Guess the Secret Number
  • AP CSA student project: Sahara Desert
    Sahara Desert
  • AP CSA student project: Pickleball
    Pickleball
  • AP CSA student project: Real World Code: Zoo Animals
    Real World Code: Zoo Animals