Computer Science

1 credit, full year

The HL year 2 course continues the curriculum core syllabus outlined above. The curriculum core parts are comparative study, process portfolio, and exhibition. “Pre-Season Summer Reading” and visual explorations are also requirements of this course in preparation for the school-year involvement. Research-based museum trips are an integral part of this course experience.

The upper school computer science curriculum is intended to continue students’ development as algorithmic thinkers with the ability to translate ideas into a formal structure. Upon completion of our program, students will understand how to define and solve problems from all disciplines in terms that can be implemented by a compuUpon completion of tational device. In addition, our program, students students will have a firm will understand how to understanding of a number of surrounding technologies that define and solve prob- they interact with on a daily lems from all disciplines basis, from Internet protocols in terms that can be to basic hardware. Problemimplemented by a com- solving and self-reliance are putational device. an essential part of the overall curriculum, as students become more confident in their abilities to use computers to devise and apply real-world solutions.

Students must take ½ credit of computer science in order to fulfill their graduation requirements. The upper school program of study is designed to have various “tracks” to fully engage and challenge every student. In rare situations, students may seek departmental approval to be placed in higher-level courses. Approval is contingent upon fluency in programming, which can be demonstrated through a series of problem sets. Some courses are taught concurrently.

649 Algo-Rhythms (9, 10, 11, 12)

1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days

How can we use computing to learn more about music? How can we use music to learn more about computing? This course provides students hands-on practice in the field of music technology. Students will explore topics such as digital composition, algorithmic music, sound analysis and manipulation, and relevant historical and cultural context. This one-semester course will satisfy 1/4 credit in either Computer Science OR Performing Arts.

1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days

This course focuses on the web browser as a creative medium. The course is broken down into two main parts. In the first part, students learn about the history and cultural impacts of the internet. They look at the fundamentals of interface design and then use this theory in conjunction with HTML and CSS to create a professional-looking website. In the second half of the course, students learn about other technologies available to developers wishing to create a more dynamic interactive experience online. Topics include cryptography, javascript APIs, and animation. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two allows students to build on their previous knowledge and incorporate these concepts into more realized projects. This course will be offered in the 2022-23 school year.

665 Interactive Systems 1 (9,10,11,12) 672 Interactive Systems 2 (Prerequisite: Interactive

Systems 1)

1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days

This course expands upon topics covered in the introductory course through the creation and design of many different types of video games, simulations, and interactive experiences. Throughout the semester, students are continually exposed to both abstraction and problem decomposition. An emphasis is placed on solving a wide variety of problems applicable to instances outside the realm of just video games. Topics include arrays, functions, objects, and APIs. By integrating these topics into a wide variety of projects, students are exposed to the many ways programming is useful. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two allows students to build out an immersive interactive experience for either a mobile or browser-based device. This course will be offered in the 2023-24 school year.

666 Programming Concepts 1 (9,10,11,12) 667 Programming Concepts 2 (Prerequisite:

Programming Concepts 1)

1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days

This course explores various techniques of programmatic problem-solving. Projects and problem sets will focus on issues found most often within the field. At all times, emphasis will also be placed on code that is readable, testable, and fast rather than simply yielding the correct answer. Topics covered include algorithmic art, user interaction, image processing, and audio manipulation. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two includes a deeper exploration into the possibilities of code and allows for a more fully realized project in one of many fields, including physical computing, generative art, and data visualization. This course will be offered in the 2022-23 school year.