Topics in Computer Science (7351)

In the NLPS Review Document, this course is described as “Topics in Computer Science is designed for students to investigate emerging disciplines within the field of computer science. Students will use foundational knowledge from 7183 Principles of Computing to study the areas of data science, artificial intelligence, app/game development, and security. Students will utilize knowledge related to these areas and programming skills to develop solutions to authentic problems.”

There are four domains that the course focuses on throughout the full year course, they include:

• • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • App/Game Development
  • Security (Cybersecurity)

There are no specific guidelines from the Indiana Department of Education on how long you should spend on each domain or what order you should cover them in.

Ways that we have seen this course taught by Indiana teachers include:

• Teach each domain for a quarter
• Spend 2-4 weeks on each domain, understand which domains the students that section/year gravitate most towards and work on a culminating project focused on that domain spending the majority of 2nd semester with that domain
• Spend 2-4 weeks on each domain, allow students to work independently on a 2nd semester project relating to their favorite domain of the four

The only full year resource from a single source that currently exists is CodeHS’s Indiana Topics in Computer Science course. Many teachers use resources from a variety of curriculum providers to provide content for the entire year. Below you will find resources for each domain that can help aid you in putting together content for the entire year.

Check out the Nexus pages with resources categorized in each of the Topics in CS course domains. You will be able to find stand-alone activities, curricular options, books and other resources.