Computer Science Courses
The Modern Computer Science Track
The Magic of
Computer Science
Software is the nearest thing to magic that we've yet invented. It's pure 'thought stuff' — which means that it enables ingenious or gifted people to create wonderful things out of thin
air. All you need to change the world is imagination, programming ability and access to a cheap PC. You don't need capital or material resources or adult permission ...
That's why software is like magic: all you need is ability. And some children, for reasons that are totally and wonderfully mysterious, have an extraordinary aptitude for programming —
just as some have a musical, mathematical or artistic gift.
John Naughton, Professor of the Public Understanding of Technology at the Open University,
in The Observer.
Computer science courses at the top universities focus on applying abstract mathematical thinking to concrete computer algorithms. Rather than focusing narrowly on ideas that only apply to a specific environment, such courses develop skills that can be applied to any programming situation. The Modern Computer Science track implements this approach. The track consists of three classes:
University Computer Science I, whose topics include boolean arithmetic, recursion, numeric algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented programming.
AP Computer Science, which prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam. Having developed such a deep foundation from the first course (University Computer Science I), many students find the AP material to be easier than the first year material!
University Computer Science II, whose topics include numeric algorithms (from a number-theoretic perspective), functional abstraction, and artificial intelligence.
AP Computer Science: Java Programming
A comprehensive online computer science course leading to the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam. This self-contained, interactive course features an online Java compiler, interactive exercises and tests, and student projects. (IMACS suggests that the most serious and talented students begin with the more challenging University Computer Science I as it provides a much deeper foundation.)
Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam
An online, interactive edition of the popular Advanced Placement review written by Maria Litvin of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. Includes over fifty interactive multiple-choice review questions accompanied by detailed explanations, and four timed practice tests that can really make a difference.