University Computer Science (Grades 9-12)

IMACS has been teaching computer science since 1993, well before coding became a thing! We know that computer science is so much more than coding. The study of computer science requires engagement in computational thinking, in which logic, abstraction and creativity come together to help solve intellectually interesting problems.

In studying computer science — as opposed to following coding instructions — students gain a wide variety of experiences, such as using information to solve problems, designing systems to maximize simplicity and usability, and learning to break complex problems into smaller pieces that are easier to solve.

If these experiences sound like they would be applicable in a wide variety of fields…it’s because they are! In studying computer science, students learn to think abstractly and analytically, setting them up for success in any STEM field they choose.

Students must take an aptitude test before enrolling in one of these classes.

There are two types of coding schools: “Developer” and “Learn a Programming Language.”

A typical coding school subhead might read, “Become a Developer in 12 Weeks!” Interestingly, this is not hyperbole. The term “Developer” in this context means “Web Developer” … someone who can produce the “HTML” and “CSS” text files used to display web pages in a browser. These are skills that can be mastered by a talented high school student in just a few hours, after which the student can claim to be a coder or developer.

The “learn a programming language” schools offer more in that they teach students an actual programming language. Java, Javascript and Python are currently in vogue (although the language-de-jour changes regularly). This certainly takes several hours of study, even for talented students, but at the end of the process the student can claim to be a computer programmer (in a specified programming language).

The focus at IMACS is on the branch of mathematics called computer science that underpins all programming languages — past, present and future. As a result, on completing the University Computer Science courses IMACS students can program in many languages, and can quickly learn to program in whatever new language might come their way.

And, at the end of the IMACS course, the student can justifiable claim to be a computer scientist … and a multi-lingual and multi-paradigm programmer to boot!

University Computer Science I is an introductory programming course that teaches core concepts in computer science and covers topics such as Boolean algebra, recursion, numeric algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented programming.

University Computer Science II is an advanced programming course that builds on the first University Computer Science I with topics such as ordering/sorting algorithms, infinite lists, list comprehension, function abstraction, and artificial intelligence.

AP® Computer Science A is a comprehensive Java programming course leading to the Advanced Placement Computer Science A exam. This course is qualified through the College Board’s rigorous AP® Course Audit process.

Many students enroll in our university-level courses because, regardless of age, they are ready for an academic challenge suited to their advanced abilities. Traditional schools often lack the resources or flexibility to meet the intellectual needs of these talented, young children.

IMACS university-level courses provide an academic challenge worthy of the brightest students. Your child will truly take pride in his or her ability to solve advanced computer science, logic, and math problems.

When a student completes a course, an official transcript is provided that reports the student’s final grade, along with a detailed description of the course content. For those who do well in our program, we provide strong, individually tailored letters of recommendations for college applications.

The educational foundations students build through our program help them outperform the expectations of their parents, teachers and professors.

For the rest of their lives, whether in school, at work or at play, IMACS graduates simply think better.