This year-long course in computer science introduces students to computers and computer programming, programming methodology, simple data types, fundamental math operators, loops and branching, arrays, structure, and advanced issues in JAVA. This course also includes the development of techniques for debugging, testing and altering existing programs. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement test AP Computer Science A administered in May.

COURSE OVERVIEW & GOALS:

• Check the course online forum routinely for announcements, to read the schedule of the day's activities in advance, and to find your homework assignment on your own.
• Check the course webpage upon entering class for the agenda for the day; immediately begin working on any posted warmup problems
  
• Write up corrections for all missed problems on quizzes and exams.
• Go easy on yourself and others: be kind, patient, and helpful.
• Be respectful, careful, and considerate of our classroom and resources, particularly the computers and software, other technical equipment, books, and desks.
  
• Preserve the integrity of the grading system - put forth your best effort and don't represent the work of others as your own.
• Be honest with the material, yourself, and your instructor. (Don't take shortcuts to avoid understanding and don't fake understanding. Don't be embarrassed to admit you don't know or to admit that you're stuck, no matter how stuck you are.)
• Be creative, take risks, and ask questions.
  

   It only makes sense for this class to take place in a room equipped with computers. However, this can present some problems: it can be very tempting when sitting at a computer to consider IMing, e-mailing, using Facebook, playing games, or looking at various websites unrelated to the course. Some of the consequences of doing these things are as follows:

• you might not learn computer science well enough to earn high grades and a good AP score without sufficient practice
• you might not learn an important concept or skill because you are distracted by something
  
• even if you are following everything very well and are caught up, you might cause those students around you who do need to focus to slack off
  
• if the instructor or a student is lecturing or walking us through a tutorial, you might hurt their feelings or cause them frustration in not paying attention
• you might be given detention, which is a waste of everyone's time.

ATTENDANCE:

   When you miss class, you miss some work, and this will directly affect your grade. If you miss 5 classes in one grading period, you will automatically drop one letter grade. Your grade will drop 15% for each absence after that.

   If you are repeatedly late for class, you will repeatedly miss work, and this will directly affect your grade. If you are late 4 times in one grading period, you will receive a warning. If you are late 5 times in one grading period, you will automatically drop one letter grade. Your grade will drop 10% for each late arrival after that.

   If you unavoidably miss a class, please make sure you see me to find out what you missed, and be sure to borrow somebody's notes to get caught up. If, after review of the notes, you still do not understand, come in and see me for clarification of notes. If you miss any quizzes or tests, you will be required to make them up immediately when you return.