Computer science is a two year course where students build understanding and skill in the fundamental concepts of computational thinking as well as knowledge of how computers and other digital devices operate.
The Diploma Programme computer science course is engaging, accessible, inspiring and rigorous. It has the following characteristics.
The following course aims are used with gratitude from the IB DP computer science subject guide:
Diploma Programme computer science students should become aware of how computer scientists work and communicate with each other and with other stakeholders in the successful development and implementation of IT solutions.
While the methodology used to solve problems in computer science may take a wide variety of forms, the group 4 computer science course emphasizes the need for both a theoretical and practical approach.
It is in this context that the Diploma Programme computer science course should aim to:
The assessment component is broken into two parts: external and internal assessment. The external assessment is 70% of your grade, and the Internal assessment is 30% of your grade.
External assessment (2 hours 30 minutes)
Paper 1
Paper 2
Internal assessment
This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
The requirement of the internal assessment is to develop a solution for a specified client to a specified problem or an unanswered question.
The solution is assessed using five criteria:
You can earn a maximum of 34 marks for your solution.
Group 4 Project
The group 4 project is a collaborative activity where students from different group 4 subjects work together on a scientific or technological topic, allowing for concepts and perceptions from across the disciplines to be shared. This is to encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method. The project can be practically or theoretically based. Collaboration between schools in different regions is encouraged.
The group 4 project allows students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science and technology. It may also allow them to understand the limitations of scientific study, for example, the shortage of appropriate data and/or the lack of resources. The emphasis is on interdisciplinary cooperation and the processes involved in scientific investigation, rather than the products of such investigation.
In addition to IB assessment, the course has substantial amounts of summative and formative assessment.
Here is a guide how you can communicate with me. I am available most of the time. You should be aware of advantages and disadvantages for each method of communication:
Speak to me in person
Send me an email In-depth questions, with evidence that you have followed our guide to asking good questions will get replies.
Ask a question in our class discussion board
Ask a question on google classroom
Exam re-takes
I do not allow students to retake exams. Many students get the idea that they don’t have to take a test seriously until the retake. Students and parents are reminded a grade is a single data point, not to be considered as a single point upon which all success and failure rests.
Extra-Credit
I want you to work hard and learn. There are times when you may want to earn extra credit. Extra credit does not automatically improve your grade. Here are some things to think about before you accept an assignment for extra credit:
You are responsible for understanding and following these guidelines.
From the Student Handbook:
Academic integrity is an expected trait in all students of ASW and is afforded the utmost value by all members of the faculty. The academic reputation of our students and the school in the wider community depend on it. Academic integrity expectations extend to all assessed and non-assessed school work and to all documentation produced for university and college applications. It is the expectation at ASW that all work and documentation submitted by students is entirely their own.
To ensure that high school students understand what constitutes academic honesty, teachers explicitly address the issue with all students at the start of each academic course.
Academic integrity means:
Citing appropriately those whose work is used in the preparation of school work completing school work without the input of others whose knowledge of the task might advantage the student unfairly submitting work for assessment that is representative of the student’s own learning and not that of others, individually or collectively maintaining a level of confidentiality and personal ownership of one’s own work, both assessed and non-assessed
Conversely, academic dishonesty means:
Presenting the work, ideas, words, images, data or arguments of others as one’s own without citation (plagiarism) copying or sharing work with others (unless specifically allowed) in any form (e.g. digitally sharing, downloading, in person) in a way that misrepresents a student’s ability or is intended to mislead the intended audience presenting work as one’s own which has been completed with the assistance of others (such as parents, other students or tutors) in a way that misrepresents a student’s ability making up or altering references, quotations, statistics, etc. (fabrication or falsification)
When a faculty member determines that there has been a breach of academic integrity, the faculty member is required to inform the Principal of the incident.
This an entry-level course. Students are not expected to know anything about programming prior to starting the course. This is an IB course, and is rigorous.
Topic | Notes | Week Starting |
---|---|---|
Course orientation | Tuesday 20 August 2019 (one year and 5 months ago) | |
Course orientation | Monday 26 August 2019 (about one year and 5 months ago) | |
Programming | Monday 02 September 2019 (one year and 4 months ago) | |
Programming | Monday 09 September 2019 (one year and 4 months ago) | |
Programming | Monday 16 September 2019 (one year and 4 months ago) | |
Programming | Monday 23 September 2019 (one year and 4 months ago) | |
Computer organization | Monday 30 September 2019 (one year and 3 months ago) | |
Computer organization | Monday 07 October 2019 (one year and 3 months ago) | |
Computer organization | Monday 14 October 2019 (one year and 3 months ago) | |
Computer organization | Monday 21 October 2019 (one year and 3 months ago) | |
Holiday | Monday 28 October 2019 (about one year and 3 months ago) | |
System fundamentals | Please click here for an overview of system fundamentals. |
Monday 04 November 2019 (one year and 2 months ago) |
System fundamentals | Please click here for an overview of system fundamentals. |
Tuesday 12 November 2019 (one year and 2 months ago) |
System fundamentals | Please click here for an overview of system fundamentals. |
Monday 18 November 2019 (one year and 2 months ago) |
Abstract data structures | Monday 25 November 2019 (about one year and 2 months ago) | |
Abstract data structures | Monday 02 December 2019 (one year and one month ago) | |
Abstract data structures | Monday 09 December 2019 (one year and one month ago) | |
Holiday | Enjoy your holiday |
Monday 16 December 2019 (one year and one month ago) |
Holiday | Enjoy your holiday |
Monday 23 December 2019 (one year and one month ago) |
Holiday | Enjoy your holiday |
Monday 30 December 2019 (one year and 3 weeks ago) |
Networking | Tuesday 07 January 2020 (one year and 2 weeks ago) | |
Networking | Monday 13 January 2020 (one year and one week ago) | |
Networking | Monday 20 January 2020 (one year and 3 days ago) | |
System fundamentals | Monday 27 January 2020 (about 11 months and 4 weeks ago) | |
System fundamentals | Monday 03 February 2020 (about 11 months and 3 weeks ago) | |
System fundamentals | Monday 10 February 2020 (about 11 months and 2 weeks ago) | |
System fundamentals | Monday 17 February 2020 (11 months and 6 days ago) | |
Holiday | Enjoy your holiday! 😊 |
Monday 24 February 2020 (10 months and 4 weeks ago) |
Resource management | Tuesday 03 March 2020 (10 months and 3 weeks ago) | |
Resource management | Monday 09 March 2020 (10 months and 2 weeks ago) | |
Resource management | Monday 16 March 2020 (10 months and one week ago) | |
Programming | Monday 23 March 2020 (10 months and one day ago) | |
IA | Monday 30 March 2020 (9 months and 3 weeks ago) | |
IA | Monday 06 April 2020 (9 months and 2 weeks ago) | |
IA | Tuesday 14 April 2020 (9 months and one week ago) | |
IA | Monday 20 April 2020 (9 months and 4 days ago) | |
Holiday | Enjoy your holiday! 😊 |
Monday 27 April 2020 (about 8 months and 4 weeks ago) |
Control | Monday 04 May 2020 (about 8 months and 3 weeks ago) | |
Control | Monday 11 May 2020 (about 8 months and 2 weeks ago) | |
Control | Monday 18 May 2020 (8 months and 6 days ago) | |
Programming | Monday 25 May 2020 (7 months and 4 weeks ago) | |
Programming | Monday 01 June 2020 (7 months and 3 weeks ago) | |
Programming | Monday 08 June 2020 (7 months and 2 weeks ago) | |
Programming | Monday 15 June 2020 (7 months and one week ago) | |
Holiday | YAHOO! Summer vacation!!!! 😊 😊 😉 😛 |
Monday 22 June 2020 (about 7 months and 2 days ago) |