Advanced Topics in CS Overview
Advanced honors computer science for data structures and algorithms.
A college-level honors programming course for 11th and 12th graders, including seniors, who have completed AP Computer Science A. Students extend AP Computer Science A through recursion, efficiency, abstract data types, GUIs, networking, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, and parallel programming.
10
Units
5
HS Credits
4
TCNJ Credits
Honors Details
Honors Details: Advanced Topics in CS facts
Course
Advanced Topics in Computer Science Honors
Course Code
CBD255
Grades
11-12
Credits
5 high school credits
Prerequisites
AP Computer Science A and Algebra II
Dual Credit
Eligible WWP-HSN students in the approved course may earn 4 TCNJ college credits.
Curriculum
Curriculum: a detailed comparative study of data structures
The main thrust of the course is abstract data types: how they work, when to use them, how efficient they are, and how they support larger software systems.
Unit 0: Computer Science
A bridge from AP Computer Science A into advanced honors computer science habits: design, implementation, testing, abstraction, and clear technical communication.
Unit 1: Recursion
Students learn to solve problems by defining smaller versions of the same problem, then reason about call stacks, base cases, and recursive correctness.
Unit 2: Sorting, Searching, and Algorithm Efficiency
Students compare algorithms by correctness, runtime, memory, and implementation complexity, with sorting and searching as the main laboratory.
Unit 3: Linked Lists
Students move beyond array-backed collections and learn how references can connect nodes into flexible linear structures.
Unit 4: Stacks and Queues
Students study abstract data types that control access order: last-in-first-out stacks and first-in-first-out queues.
Unit 5: Sets, Maps, and Hash Tables
Students learn fast lookup structures for uniqueness, counting, indexing, and key-value associations.
Unit 6: Trees
Students learn hierarchical data structures and the recursive algorithms that make trees powerful.
Unit 7: Heaps and Heap Sort
Students study priority queues and the heap structure that supports efficient access to the highest or lowest priority item.
Unit 8: Graphs and Graph Theory
Students learn to model networks of relationships and solve problems involving paths, connectivity, and traversal.
Unit 9: Computing and Society
Students connect advanced programming to the human impact of software systems, data, automation, networks, and AI.
Course Outcomes
What students should be able to do
College-level readiness
Build on AP Computer Science A with stronger program design, implementation, testing, data structures, and algorithm analysis.
Algorithm efficiency
Analyze runtime, compare solutions, and explain why one data structure fits a problem better than another.
Abstract data types
Study lists, stacks, queues, sets, maps, trees, heaps, and graphs as reusable models.
Advanced computing topics
Connect data structures to GUIs, networking, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, and parallel programming.
Project-ready Java
Write cleaner, tested Java programs that can support larger assignments and portfolio work.
Dual-credit readiness
Support students working through advanced honors expectations and college-credit course pacing.
Tutoring
Tutoring: advanced concepts taught through implementation
Students draw the structure, trace the algorithm, write Java code, test edge cases, and explain runtime and design tradeoffs.
1. Model
Introduce each structure or algorithm with diagrams, traces, and a small Java example.
2. Implement
Build the data structure or algorithm from scratch, then test edge cases and invariants.
3. Analyze
Compare runtime, memory, readability, and design tradeoffs using concrete input sizes.
4. Extend
Apply the idea to a project, contest-style problem, GUI, network, security, robotics, or AI scenario.
FAQ
Common Advanced Topics in CS questions
Who is Advanced Topics in CS designed for?
Advanced Topics in Computer Science Honors is designed for 11th and 12th graders who have successfully completed AP Computer Science A and Algebra II.
Is this offered for seniors?
Yes. Advanced Topics in Computer Science Honors is offered for grades 11-12, including senior year. It is an advanced honors course that builds on AP Computer Science A.
Can students earn college credit?
WWP-HSN partners with The College of New Jersey. Students enrolled in the approved course can earn high school credits and may earn 4 TCNJ college credits through dual enrollment.
Does tutoring follow the school course?
Yes. Sessions can follow the student school syllabus, reinforce difficult units, or use the Code Scholars roadmap to prepare ahead.
Ready for Advanced Topics in CS?
Start with a focused plan and a practical roadmap for the course units.