USAPCS COMPUTERS

Syllabus
 INTRODUCTION

The USAPCS Computer Syllabus is a comprehensive and structured document designed to guide
the teaching and learning of computer science concepts over a two-year period. It starts from the
very basics, making it accessible to students with no prior knowledge of computer science.

This is the first edition of the syllabus, crafted to bring structure and clarity to computer science
education at USAPCS. It emphasizes computational thinking and effective collaboration with
AI tools, preparing students to approach complex problems systematically and creatively.

Approach

The syllabus is structured to achieve the following goals by the end of the two years:

1.​ Develop the ability to solve problems using algorithmic thinking.

2.​ Create deployable software solutions.
3.​ Understand and collaborate effectively with AI tools.

The emphasis is on practical implementation rather than rote memorization. Students will engage
in hands-on activities that prioritize creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving
skills.

Grading

Assessment is centered on the student's ability to:

●​ Implement concepts learned during the course.

●​ Demonstrate a thought process aligned with algorithmic thinking.

In addition, attention to style (e.g., clean, readable code) and correctness (ensuring the code
works as intended) will also contribute to grading.

Artificial intelligence is to be used strictly as an assistant—students are encouraged to leverage

AI for brainstorming, debugging, or research, but not for directly writing assignments or code on
their behalf.
Final Project Grading: Problem-solving skills play a crucial role in evaluating final projects.
Projects will be graded based on:

1.​ Logic: Does the project effectively solve the identified problem?
2.​ Complexity: Does the solution reflect substantial effort and depth of thought?
3.​ Cost-effectiveness: Is the solution practical and efficient in terms of resources?

Teaching Methodology

The syllabus is divided into two years, each comprising two terms, with ten weeks per term.

●​ Problem sets will be assigned every two weeks and will contribute 70% of the student’s
term grade.
●​ A final project, submitted at the end of each term, will contribute the remaining 30%.

This structure ensures that students consistently apply what they learn while working on larger
projects that integrate multiple concepts.
 Lower 6 Content Summary
​
The Lower 6 curriculum is designed to equip students with essential tools and foundational skills
that enhance their day-to-day learning experience at USAPCS. This includes gaining proficiency
in tools like Gmail and Google Drive while introducing key concepts in coding and algorithmic
thinking. By the end of Lower 6, students should have a strong foundational understanding of
software development and problem-solving.

First Term Objectives

1.​ Tech Tools for Learning:

○​ Students will become proficient in using essential digital tools such as Gmail,
Google Drive, and other platforms that support their learning across all subjects.
2.​ AI Collaboration:
○​ Students will learn how to effectively collaborate with AI tools, using them
constructively to enhance creativity, efficiency, and productivity.
3.​ Introduction to Programming with C:
○​ Students will explore the basics of C, a foundational low-level programming
language, developing their understanding of programming structures, logic, and
syntax.
 First Term
Month 1
Week 1: Introduction

Introduction to USAPCS Computers -​ What we will learn

-​ Google Classroom
-​ GMail

More tools -​ Docs and Slides

Week 2: Tools

Data Collection and manipulation -​ Google forms

-​ Google sheets introduction

Sheets -​ What is?

-​ Menus, toolbars, rows, columns, and
cells
-​ Tabs
-​ Entering and Formatting data
-​ Saving and sharing

PROBLEM SET 1

Week 3: Sheets

Functions and formulas -​ Arithmetic operations

-​ Common functions
-​ References

Data management -​ Sorting and filtering

-​ Dropdown lists
-​ Freezing rows and columns
-​ Conditional formatting
-​ Graphs and charts
Week 4: Google drive

Google drive -​ What is it and how to access

-​ Components:
●​ My Drive
●​ Shared Drives (Optional for
Business Accounts)
●​ Shared with Me
●​ Recent
●​ Starred
●​ Trash

Managing Files and Folders -​ Creating and Organizing Folders

-​ Uploading Files
-​ Downloading Files

PROBLEM SET 2

Month 2
Week 5: AI

Intro to AI -​ History of AI
-​ Generative AI

Prompt engineering -​ How to get the best results from using

AI

Week 6: Intro to programming

Introduce C -​ Hello World

-​ Breakdown syntax

Data-types and variables -​ Numbers and strings

-​ What are variables: creation and
understanding
-​ Operations

PROBLEM SET 2
Week 7: Functions

Functions -​ What are functions

-​ Why and how functions
-​ What are comments

Week 8: Data structures

Data Structures -​ What are data structures

-​ Arrays

PROBLEM SET 3

Month 3

Week 9: C

Libraries -​ What and why Libraries

-​ Common libraries in C:
●​ string.h,
●​ stdio.h,
●​ time.h

Input -​ Scanf and fgets

Week 10: Algorithms

Algorithms -​ Understanding algorithms

-​ Sorting and search algorithms

Algorithmic thinking -​ Decomposition, Pattern recognition,

Abstraction, and Algorithm design

PROBLEM SET 4
Week 11 and Week 12: Final projects

Final projects -​ Assessment Criteria

-​ Brainstorming

FINAL PROJECTS
 Upper 6 Content Summary
The focus of Upper 6 is web development, aimed at teaching students how to make their
software accessible to users through websites.

First Term:

●​ Students will learn front-end development, focusing on:

○​ HTML: For structuring and displaying text and content.
○​ CSS: For designing and styling the user interface.
○​ JavaScript: For adding interactivity and dynamic behavior to websites.

Second Term:

●​ The focus shifts to back-end development, where students will learn to:
○​ Use SQL for database management and data manipulation.
○​ Work with Flask, a lightweight Python framework, to build and deploy
server-side applications.

This progression ensures that students acquire both the skills to create visually engaging and
functional user interfaces as well as the ability to manage data and build server-side logic for
full-stack applications.
 First Term
Month 1
Week 1: HTML

Introduction -​ What is and why HTML

Document Structure and nesting -​ Head and Body use

-​ Nesting
-​ Tags and attributes

Week 2: HTML

Basic tags -​ Text tags:

a.​ h1, h2, h3 etc
b.​ p
-​ Container tags:
a.​ Div, section
b.​ Main, footer, header
-​ Other tags:
a.​ input
b.​ Select
c.​ Spam
d.​ Links
e.​ button

Images, Video and Audio -​ Images

-​ Videos
-​ Audios

PROBLEM SET 1

Week 3: CSS

Selectors -​ In-line CSS

-​ Class, Id, and tag name
-​ Properties and values

Text, borders and background -​ Font: color, weight, align, opacity,

decoration and size
-​ Border: color, width, radius and style
 -​ Background: colors, and images

Pseudo-classes -​ Hover
-​ Transition

Week 4: CSS

The box model -​ Model

-​ Margin
-​ Padding
-​ width

Position -​ Fixed
-​ Absolute
-​ Relative

Display -​ Block
-​ In-line block
-​ Inline

PROBLEM SET 2

Month 2

Week 5: CSS

Layouts -​ What are layouts

Grid -​ Explanation
-​ Implementation

Flexbox -​ Explanation
-​ Implementation

Week 6: CSS

Importing libraries -​ Bootstrap

Icons -​ Font-awesome
 -​ Bootstrap

PROBLEM SET 3

Week 7: JavaScript

Introduction -​ What is and why JS

-​ Data types

Variables -​ Declaring and using variables

Week 8: JavaScript

Conditionals -​ Booleans
-​ If statements

Loops -​ While loop

-​ For loop

PROBLEM SET 4

Month 3

Week 9: JavaScript

Objects and DOM -​ What are JS Objects

-​ The DOM
-​ Accessing elements using the DOM

Events -​ Event listeners and handler

-​ Click
-​ Hover
-​ Load
-​ Keydown

Week 10: JavaScript

Manipulating the DOM -​ InnerHTML

-​ Styles
-​ Creating and deleting elements
-​ Adding and removing classes
Functions -​ Creating and integrating functions

FINAL TERM PROJECT