AP® Computer Science A - Sample Syllabus #1 - Course Framework Topics

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz

Sample Syllabus #1 for AP® Computer Science A outlines curricular requirements and computational thinking practice expectations, including designing, developing, analyzing, documenting code and systems, and using computers responsibly. It specifies at least two lab experiences with example activities such as a Temperature Converter, a Math Tutor, a nested-loop code investigation workflow, and a library pair-programming lab using classes and documentation comments. The syllabus also maps modules to unit topics (algorithms through arrays, file reading, and ArrayLists) and highlights course content coverage requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Curricular Requirements

Course Resources

Course Outline

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

SAMPLE SYLLABUS \#1 AP® Computer Science A Curricular Requirements Students and teachers have access to a college-level computer science textbook or resource in print or electronic format. The course provides opportunities to develop student understanding of the required content outlined in each unit described in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . Seepage: 2 Seepage: 2 CR3 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to Computational Thinking Practice 1: Design Code, as outlined in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . Seepage: 3 CR4 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to Computational Thinking Practice 2: Develop Code, as outlined in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . See pages: 2, 3 CR5 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to Computational Thinking Practice 3: Analyze Code, as outlined in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . Seepage: 2 CR6 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to Computational Thinking Practice 4: Document code and computing systems, as outlined in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . Seepage: 3 CR7 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to Computational Thinking Practice 5: Use computers responsibly, as outlined in the AP Course and Exam Description (CED) . Seepage: 4 CR8 The course provides students with hands-on lab experience to practice programming through designing and implementing computer-based solutions to problems. See pages: 2, 3, 4 Sample Syllabus \#1 AP Computer Science A Syllabus Course Resources (available to each individual student) Textbook or resource provided on the AP Course Audit form. CR1 Course Outline CR2 | Module | Title (Course Framework Topics covered) | Sample Projects, Activities &
Assignments | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Algorithms, Using Classes & Objects, Variables, Input & Output
(Unit 1. 1–1. 10, 1.12–1. 14) | ■ | TempConverter Lab \#1 CR8—Students create a program that prompts the user for a temperature in Fahrenheit and displays the equivalent Celsius temperature. (Skill 2 .A) CR4 | | 2 | Conditionals, Math class & String class (Unit 2 .1–2. 6, 1. 11, 1. 15) | ■ | Math Tutor Lab \#2 CR8—Students create a program that generates a simple arithmetic problem for the user to answer. The program uses two random integers in the range 1–10 and a random operation (+,-,*,/) . The user is asked to answer as an integer, then the program gives feedback (correct or incorrect, along with the correct answer) . When the arithmetic operation generated was division, the user is asked to answer a follow-up arithmetic question using the same two integers and modulus division. Again, the program gives feedback of correct or incorrect with the correct answer. (Skill 2 .A) CR4 | | 3 | Loops
(Unit 2.7–2.12) | ■ | Nested Loop Investigation: Students are provided a paper packet with several methods and the intended output of each method. Students hand-trace the code in each method to determine whether or not the method produces the intended output (Skill 3.C) . Students make corrections on paper to any methods that do not work as intended, including an explanation of why the original code did not work. (Skill 3.D) Students then receive a Java project containing the original code, make the changes digitally, compile and test. Finally, students make any additional necessary corrections digitally and add comments explaining any additional changes that were necessary. (Skill 3 .D) CR5 | CR1 The teacher must selector provide a college-level computer science textbook or resource. CR2 The syllabus must include an outline of course content by unit title using any organizational approach to demonstrate the inclusion of required course content. CR8 The syllabus must include titles and des

FAQs

What curricular requirements does the AP Computer Science A Sample Syllabus #1 include?

It includes access to a college-level computer science resource, opportunities aligned to AP CED unit content, computational thinking practice skills (design, develop, analyze, document code/systems, and responsible computer use), and hands-on lab experiences.

Which lab experiences are described in Module 1 and Module 2?

Module 1 describes a TempConverter Lab where students convert Fahrenheit to Celsius. Module 2 describes a Math Tutor Lab generating arithmetic problems with randomized integers and operations, including feedback and division/modulus handling.

How does the syllabus use computational thinking practice in student activities?

It connects each activity to specific computational thinking practices, such as coding (Design/Develop), analyzing existing code with hand-tracing and corrections (Analyze), and documenting code and computing systems through documentation comments and structured program work.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz