AP® Computer Science

AP® Computer Science: Java Programming is a computer science course leading to the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science exam.

AP® Audit Information

IMACS is an authorized online provider. Schools that teach this course are NOT required to submit an audit to the College Board. More »

The curriculum is presented on web pages in which Java compilers are embedded at key points. A Java compiler web service takes care of the compilation and execution of Java programs, so students require only an internet browser. The course covers the full exam syllabus. A chapter containing practice free-response questions is also included. Additionally, the course contains a optional chapter loaded with challenging topics (beyond the scope of the AP® exam) that will be of interest to more advanced students.

Interspersed within a well-organized curriculum are exercises to be completed using an embedded Java compiler, graded labs, and tests that are graded automatically. Teachers access an "electronic gradebook" to monitor students' progress.

Additional teacher support materials include substantial programming projects complete with model solutions. Each project is in downloadable PDF format, and includes code for use with the BlueJ interactive Java environment. (The BlueJ development environment is downloadable free, and eIMACS provides detailed download and installation instructions.)

The course is designed to be studied either at a student's own pace, or at a pace set by the teacher. This flexibility allows the teacher to permit the more capable students to proceed rapidly at their own pace (and even study the optional, advanced topics), allowing the teaching to more carefully guides the progress of students of lesser ability or motivation.

The course requires that students have access to the internet using a recent browser.

Embedded Compiler

AP® Computer Science: Java Programming makes use of a web service to embed a Java compiler directly into interactive web pages. The authors use this technology to reveal only those code segments that are immediately relevant to the student. The resulting programs can be executed online with the press of a button.

The advantage offered by this technology is huge! Beginning students can write and test simple programs from the get-go, and it allows more advanced students to focus on the issues immediately at hand.

In addition, the interactive web pages include a Java "single step debugger", which students use to single step through programs observing the flow of control and changing variable values.

Automatic Grading

AP® Computer Science: Java Programming features interactive exercises, in which students use the embedded compiler to write and test Java programs, and integrated multiple choice tests.

Test questions are graded by application servers in at the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science's headquarters in Plantation, Florida, with results relayed immediately to students via the interactive web pages.

Students' progress is monitored using an online electronic gradebook. As each student completes a test, the test is graded automatically and the grade is entered into the gradebook.

Each student has access to his or her grades, and teachers have access to a full gradebook showing the progress of all students in their classes.

Please note that IMACS does not order AP exams for students. Obtaining a copy of the actual AP exam must be arranged through your school or you can visit the College Board's website here for more information.

Testimonials

This online course is used in institutions across the USA and internationally. Several teachers have taken the time to describe their experiences with this course. Read the testimonials »

See also: Free Excerpts Audit information Licensing