AP Computer Science Principles byDesign - At-A-Glance

Sep 20, 2026

AP Computer Science Principles byDesign provides a structured, Grade 9–12, 36-week path for building foundational computer science knowledge and preparing students for the AP CSP Exam. Organized around College Board Big Ideas and Computational Thinking Practices, it guides learners through programming with Snap, abstraction and data structures, data processing with lists and higher-order functions, and internet fundamentals including protocols and cybersecurity. It also includes algorithms and simulations, exploration and create tasks, and an overview of computer history, hardware/software, number bases, and binary data.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Course Overview

Intended Audience and Course Structure

Big Ideas and Computational Thinking Practices

Unit Topics

Introduction to Programming

Abstraction

Data Processing and Lists

How the Internet Works

Algorithms and Simulations

How Computers Work

AP Computer Science Principles byDesign At-A-Glance Intended Audience: Grades 9-12 Course Length: 36 weeks The Computer Science Principles byDesign™ course was developed to introduce students to fundamental computer science principles as well as prepare students to take the AP CSP Exam. The course is organized using the College Board AP Computer Science Big Ideas and Computational Thinking Practices. In this course, students program using the Snap programming language, learn some of the most powerful ideas of computer science, demonstrate creativity, and discuss the social implications of computing, thinking deeply about how they can be personally active in promoting and reducing the possible harms. ● Introduction to Programming: an introduction to foundational concepts of programming. o Click Alonzo Game o Gossip and Greet o Modern Art with Polygons o Protecting Your Privacy o Follow the Leader ● Abstraction: an investigation into data structures and program control structures. o Improving Games by Using Variables o Making Art by Using Data Structures o Making Decisions by Using Predicates o Dealing with Complexity o Copyrights ● Data Processing and Lists: a focus on lists, abstraction, and higher order functions. o Contact Lists o Tic-Tac-Toe o Robots and Artificial Intelligence o Building Data Visualization Tools o Big Data o Optional Projects ● How the Internet Works: addresses network protocols and cybersecurity o Reliable Communication o Communication Protocols o Cybersecurity o Community and Online Interactions o AP CSP Explore Task ● Algorithms and Simulations: use several types of analysis to solve problems. o Search Algorithms o Models and Simulations o Timing Experiments o Unsolvable and Undecidable Problems o Computing in War o AP CSP Create Task ● How Computers Work: an overview of the history of computers, software, hardware, number bases, and binary data. o Computer Abstraction Hierarchy o Data Representation and Compression o A Brief History and Impact of Computers ©2020 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Computer Science Principles byDesign™

FAQs

What is the intended audience and course length for AP Computer Science Principles byDesign?

The course is designed for Grades 9–12 with a 36-week course length.

Which AP assessments are referenced in the course structure?

The course includes preparation for both the AP CSP Explore Task and the AP CSP Create Task.

What programming language does the course use?

Students program using the Snap programming language.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by River Wang