The Introduction to Computer Science course follows the Computer Science Principles course created by code.org. It is divided into 5 major units.
CSP Unit 1 - The Internet
This unit explores the technical challenges and questions that arise from the need to represent digital information in computers and transfer it between people and computational devices. The unit then explores the structure and design of the internet and the implications of those design decisions.
CSP Unit 2 - Digital Information
This unit further explores the ways that digital information is encoded, represented and manipulated. Being able to digitally manipulate data, visualize it, and identify patterns, trends and possible meanings are important practical skills that computer scientists do every day. Understanding where data comes from, having intuitions about what could be learned or extracted from it, and being able to use computational tools to manipulate data and communicate about it are the primary skills addressed in the unit.
CSP Unit 3 - Intro to Programming
This unit introduces the foundational concepts of computer programming, which unlocks the ability to make rich, interactive apps. This course uses JavaScript as the programming language, and App Lab as the programming environment to build apps, but the concepts learned in these lessons span all programming languages and tools.
CSP Unit 4 - Big Data and Privacy
The data-rich world we live in introduces many complex questions related to public policy, law, ethics and societal impact. The goals of this unit are to develop a well-rounded and balanced view about data in the world, including the positive and negative effects of it, and to understand the basics of how and why modern encryption works.
CSP Unit 5 - Building Apps
This unit continues the introduction of foundational concepts of computer programming, which unlocks the ability to make rich, interactive apps. This course uses JavaScript as the programming language, and App Lab as the programming environment to build apps, but the concepts learned in these lessons span all programming languages and tools.