Computer Science

Course Name

Term

UC / CSU Approved?

Comments/Prerequisites: Freshman/sophomore/junior/senior elective.

Students will dive into the computer and the internet and learn not just how to use these tools effectively, but how they work and how we interact with them. Students will also learn about the mathematics that make computers work and demonstrate problem solving skills. Activities will include the construction of web pages, graphics, desktop computers, programs and animations. The course will offer hands-on collaborative laboratories.

Comments/Prerequisites: Freshman/sophomore/junior/senior elective. Completion of Exploring Computer Science 1 is required.

Students will gain extensive programming experience by programming in Python and/or C++. They will learn core programming concepts that will enable them to create a variety of applications. Students will work in teams and individually to complete programming projects that emphasize gaming concepts.

Comments/Prerequisities: Sophomore/junior/senior elective. Informed Enrollment. There is no prerequisite for the course; however, completion of Exploring Computer Science 1 or 2 is recommended. Although the course will prepare students to take the AP exam, they are not required to do so.

This course is an introduction to programming using the Java programming language. Topics include introduction to computers and programming, control structures, functions, recursion and iteration, arrays, data structures, abstraction and classes. All students will be required to take the AP Computer Science exam.

Comments/Prerequisites: Junior/senior elective. Students who enroll in this course may earn eight or more units of college credit. Completion of Computer Science A AP (with a grade of B or better), or instructor consent, is required.

Advanced Computer Science: Data Structures provides an in-depth review of Computer Science A AP, as well as a more formal and a more in-depth study of algorithms, data structures and data abstraction. Topics include: stacks and queues, recursion, lists, dynamic arrays, binary search trees, iteration over collections, hashing, searching, elementary sorting and Big-O notation. The course covers the equivalent of two semesters of university-level computer science for engineering majors. Introductory topics will be covered only briefly, allowing time for study of more advanced material. Consistent with the universities granting credit, the Java programming language will be used.

Course Name

Term

UC / CSU Approved?

Comments/Prerequisites: Sophomore/junior/senior elective.

This course introduces students to digital and classical animation techniques using Adobe Flash.  Topics include: the 12 Principles of Animation (from The Illusion of Life), frame-by-frame and key-framed animations, basic digital drawing techniques, animation of drawing objects and symbols using raster and vector graphics, adding audio and other post-production skills. Projects will include character and environment  illustrations, short animation exercises and a final animated short.

Comments/Prerequisites: Sophomore/junior/senior elective. 3D Animation with Maya allows students who have interest in advanced digital media creation to take computer graphics to the next level.

In this course, students will explore 3D computer-based animation through Autodesk Maya. Students will learn how to create 3D models and characters for use in their animations. Students will learn to create materials maps and textures, lighting, and cameras, to bring their characters and environments to life. Students will learn how to use Maya’s powerful animation tools to apply traditional principles of physical animation. Students will also learn the basics of MEL and Python programming in the Maya environment to aid in their projects. This course will conclude with a project in which students will create a 3D animated project of their choosing.

Comments/Prerequisites: Sophomore/junior/senior elective.

This is an introductory class in the essentials of web site development and design. Students will learn how to incorporate graphics, text, audio and video on a web page. The class will include standards, copyrighting laws, evaluation of existing web sites, storyboarding, development and building of individual web sites. The language used will be (X)HTML and the class will also make use of web design software, such as Adobe DreamWeaver. In addition, graphics production for the web will be discussed. Students will experience all phases of web site creation, from initial planning to publishing a site on the World Wide Web.

Course Name

Term

UC / CSU Approved?

Comments/Prerequisites: Junior/senior elective. Completion of Computer Science A AP is required.

This projects-based course will provide extensive programming experience developing dynamic web applications. Students will design, develop and maintain dynamic websites using server side programming and databases. Technologies used will include HTML, PHP, SQL and mySQL. Emphasis will be on sound software engineering principles, security and object-oriented design. Each project will require analysis of requirements, system design, implementation, and testing.

Comments/Prerequisites: Junior/senior elective. Completion of Advanced Topics 1: Web Application Programming is required.

Students will create software applications that will run on modern smartphones including Apple, Google and Palm based devices. Technologies including HTML v5, Javascript, jQuery and SQL on a web server database will be integrated to create mobile applications that can react to screen gestures and interact with a database to create a dynamic experience for the user.