<p>What exactly is covered and what exactly do you do in AP Computer Science? Is the class pretty much dedicated to learning Java and coding, or is Java only a part of something that encompasses much more than that?</p>
<p>I'm interested in taking the class (already signed up for it), especially because I think it's going to help me in my intended major (Applied and Computational Mathematics). I don't have prior experience with the subject area though, but I plan to work through some intro to programming text during the summer.</p>
<p>Any input from people who have taken the class is appreciated.</p>
<p>I’m taking it right now and it’s just Java. Should really be called AP Java…very little on computers as a whole. It just covers the language as a whole and all the moving parts. It’s not easy without any background knowledge. My teacher did a little review of Computer Programming the year before and it helped a lot because AP CS starts off assuming you have the basics covered. If you have an interest in it you’ll be fine…it’s one of those courses you can spend time with at home and get better at with time. Good luck.</p>
<p>It does have some random logical questions on occasion tho. Like I found a question (idr if this was a CollegeBoard q or a prep-book q but it was like “which of the following details the best approach to take if you are unsure how to use a class written by another programmer?”
A) ask the author
B) trial and error
C) don’t use the class and make your own
etc… stuff like that XD</p>
<p>But generally yes, it’s just straight up Java programming. Some questions are conceptual java tho w/ inheritance and pointers, but most have u follow code.</p>
<p>There are a few questions on program design, but those are presented from a very Java-centric perspective too. Some of the questions would have very different answers if Java, for example, supported multiple inheritance.</p>
<p>i’m in it right now!! all java, though we’re in ASCL (american computer science league), so we devote a lot of time to like bit string flicking, boolean algebra, digital electronics, graph theory, stacks & queues, etc. it’s not that bad, i didn’t take any courses to preface it and i’m doing fine. you should take it and if you have any questions on the class, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>I chose to take the class because of my intended major, and gave up a more rigorous courseload to make room…worth it?</p>
<p>hrm, i don’t know that that’s completely worth it. colleges want to see the most rigorous workload, and my guidance counselor told me once that you don’t go to high school to major in something. colleges would rather see an ultra-difficult and diverse course load. but if you’re seriously passionate about programming or engineering or something of that nature, than go for it. it just depends on what your priorities are.</p>
<p>Not entirely sprevite. Colleges look for “breadth and depth” – they want a well rounded kid who challenges himself, but they also want to see a kid with a passion who pursues his dreams. If Computers is where you want to be, colleges will see your taking this course as your pursuit of and commitment to your passion. I don’t think it will have any negative effect on your app – as long as you are diverse in other areas (i.e. taking APUSH or some other humanities AP) then you should be fine. But you don’t want to be all “well rounded” with nothing that defines you; then you just get lost in the sea of common apps. At the same time, you don’t want to be narrowly focused on one goal, because then you aren’t “well rounded” at all. You need a balance of breadth and depth, and whether you should take this course largely depends on whether your app as it stands has more breadth or depth, because you want to strike a balance.</p>