This course is the introduction to a 3-year Games and Simulations pathway. Students in this pathway learn relevant technical and artistic knowledge and skills to prepare for further education and careers in Game/Simulation Design, Game Programming, or 2-D/3-D Art or Animation. This introductory course is designed to give students a solid foundational understanding of game design, 3D and VR simulation design, and the fundamentals of the Unity Editor. The course covers Level Design, Shaders and Materials, VFX, Cameras and Lighting, Post-Production Processing, AI Navigation, Animation, Audio Effects, UI, the Script/Editor interface, and other creative and technical skills. (This is a UC-designated (“f”) Visual & Performing Arts course and may be used to satisfy the Visual and Performing Arts requirement.)
AP Computer Science Principles AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, cybersecurity concerns and computing impacts. The course also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problem solving. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science. (This is a UC-designated Laboratory Science (“d”) course.)
AP Computer Science A This is a one year course that will teach students to program in the Java language. The course emphasizes problem solving skills necessary to solve modern day problems. While no prerequisites are required in terms of experience with coding, those who have had previous experience with a text based language like Python or C will find the course much more accessible. The course will cover basic programming and moves on to expose students to object oriented programming as well. Time is spent examining style and conventions, and preparation for the AP Exam will also ask students to debug code as well as writing their own.
English SD English classes are foundationally rooted in the belief that reading and writing are inextricably linked, and through reading, we become strong writers, and through writing, we publish material that audiences want to read. English classes are created to help each student develop strong skills in thinking, reading, writing, speaking, and listening through the study of works with literary integrity from around the world. Students develop and hone critical reading, writing and thinking skills that propel them to communicate effectively and logically with multiple audiences through a variety of writing genres, including but not limited to: expository writing, argumentative writing, creative writing, technical writing, essay writing, 15
