New Course: AP Computer Science A (Nitro)
On Friday, August 2nd, we are launching our AP Computer Science A (Nitro) course.
How is AP CS A (Nitro) Different?
The AP CS A (Nitro) course was developed in response to the updated Course and Exam Description (CED) that College Board released in Spring of 2019. While the content of the course and exam have not changed much, the updated CED includes a recommended sequence of units to cover all course topics. The AP CS A (Nitro) course was created to align with this recommended sequence, making it easier for teachers to use College Board resources alongside their CodeHS curriculum.
Main Method
Our AP CS A (Nitro) course that uses the Java Main Method. Instead of the CodeHS Java Console that we use in AP CS A (Mocha), exercises in AP CS A (Nitro) will utilize the Java Main Method. Students will also use the Scanner class to take user input.
College Board Units
The AP CS A (Nitro) course implements the sequence of units that College Board recommends in the new Course and Exam Description. Note that this sequence of units is not required — teachers may continue to teach topics in the order that works best for their students.
Here are the new units and framework.
- Unit 1: Primitive Types
- Unit 2: Using Objects
- Unit 3: Boolean Expressions and If Statements
- Unit 4: Iteration
- Unit 5: Writing Classes
- Unit 6: Arrays
- Unit 7: ArrayList
- Unit 8: 2D Array
- Unit 9: Inheritance
- Unit 10: Recursion
Still want to use the AP CS A Mocha course? No problem. Both AP CS A (Nitro) and AP CS A (Mocha) prepare students for success on the AP exam, so you can still teach with AP CS A (Mocha) if you want to!
Note on AP CS A Syllabus Submission
Since CS A is one of the courses with a new CED, there is no syllabus submission required for 2019–20. For this year, teachers will simply need to complete the course audit form and download the unit guides for authorization. When syllabus submissions resume for 2020–21, teachers will be able to adopt the CodeHS sample syllabus.
Enroll Today
You can enroll in the AP CS A (Nitro) course here or visit the Course Catalog.
Questions?
Email our team at hello@codehs.com and watch our full AP CS A (Nitro) course webinar recording to learn more.
