The document is a letter from a mathematics department recommending a student take AP Computer Science based on their success in math. It describes AP Computer Science as a full-year honors course covering topics equivalent to half a college computer science major, using the Java programming language. It lists many topics that will be explored, including computer literacy, programming structures, algorithms, data structures, and applications like simulations, graphics and encryption. It encourages the student to consider taking AP Computer Science as their math-related skills will help them succeed in learning programming concepts.

1. Mathematics Department
Baldwin Senior High School
Dear Math Student: Course Selection Week!!!
Congratulations, you are to be commended for all your hard work and success
in Math class so far this year! Due to your dedication to the study of Mathematics,
you have been selected to take AP Computer Science as described below. You
really should understand Computer Science to be successful in many careers
nowadays. Computer Programming is a very useful skill in all Science and Technical
degrees in college. A good background in computing can even help you in fields
related to Statistics, Economics, Sociology and Psychology!
AP Computer Science (APCS) is a full-year course of study for 1 Math Credit
with Honors/AP track weighting. APCS covers topics that would normally
comprise one semester of a college level Computer Science major. College
credit may be granted based on the student’s performance on the May AP
Exam. We will use the Java for Linux programming language as a vehicle to
examine structured programming, objects, methods, classes, modular
design, special algorithms and data structures.
Topics explored in APCS may include:
computer literacy, mechanical and electronic computers, bits and bytes,
ethics, top–down design, initialization, conditional statements, looping
structures, iteration, recursion, 1D and 2D arrays, console IO, visual IO,
files, functions, parameter passing, value and reference parameters, actual
and formal parameters, class interface and implementation, inheritance and
polymorphism, objects, object instantiation, object properties, object
methods, data structures, strings, vectors, matrices, searching and sorting,
simulations, random walks, complexity, computability, encryption, hash
tables, very large integers, Mersenne primes, FLT, sound, graphics, fractals,
animation, HTML and Linux Clusters!
I strongly recommend that you consider taking APCS next year. Don’t worry,
not taking CSH before APCS will not put you at a disadvantage as we start learning
the Java language in APCS from scratch. With your superior math background, I
know that you will enjoy learning and discovering new concepts in Computer Science!
Sincerely,
A. Jorge García
calcpage@aol.com
Applied Math & CompSci
Baldwin SHS & Nassau CC
http://shadowfaxrant.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/calcpage2009
Please fill-in the blanks below and return to your teacher.
Name: Grade: Course Selection: Counselor:
____________________ __________ APCS ____________________