2012 CSH Recruiting Memo

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 Computer Science Honors 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!
Computer Science Honors (CSH) is a full year course for 1 Math Credit with Honors
track weighting. In CSH you will learn how to solve real world problems by writing
computer programs algorithmically. Your grade will be based on a series of group
programming projects. We will use the python programming language for Linux
and Computer Algebra Systems such as SAGE to introduce topics of Discrete
Mathematics. CSH is an introductory programming course usually followed by AP
Computer Science (APCS) the following year. PreReq = Math 2R or Math 2H.
We have a 3 year sequence in Computing. If you take CSH as a Sophomore, you may
take APCS as a Junior and Computing Independent Study (CIS) as a Senior! If you take
CSH as a Junior, you may take APCS as a Senior. Topics explored in CSH may include:
python, turtle.py, vpython, mpi4py, TI-BASIC
computer literacy, mechanical vs electronic computers, bits and bytes, binary,
ternary, octal, hexadecimal, truth tables, chip logic, sets, functions, algorithms,
interpreters vs compilers, ALU vs CPU, RAM vs ROM, variables, scope,
initialization, conditional statements, looping structures, iteration, recursion, 1D
and 2D arrays, console IO, visual IO, files, arguments, int, double, boolean, strings,
vectors, matrices, lists, tuples, dictionaries, probability, games, sequences, series,
simulations, 2D and 3D plots, polynomials, number theory, cryptography !
I strongly recommend that you consider taking CSH next year. In addition, I invite
you to take APCS the year after. 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:
____________________ __________ CSH
____________________