The Interests of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

The Interests of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry ResearchIndustrial and engineering chemistry research is concerned with the chemistry of petroleum, biological products, and the process of industrial production. Chemical reactions that are active in this field can be difficult to predict and often rely on sensory data. Scientists that work in this field must have both the skill and experience to analyze the sensory data obtained during the process of laboratory experiments and to adjust the results to match the data provided by the sensory apparatus. Experiments in this field are performed in the lab with sensory devices such as electrical and optical amplifiers, and pH meters.A variety of practical aspects are involved in this field. Most experiments involve the physical and chemical properties of a particular subject or substance. A common idea in this field is to determine the reactivity of a particular chemical substance, such as a volatile fuel, or the amount of reactivity of a certain chemical substance in certain conditions. Sensory data can be used to determine these characteristics of a subject. In addition, in industrial and engineering chemistry research, the topic of the reactions involved with the interactions of chemical substances and their products is often discussed it experiments.A variety of different ways of measuring the properties of a substance are used to determine the reactivity of a substance. Many laboratories use the size and reactivity of reaction cells, such as those used in photochemistry and photolysis, to determine the reactivity of a substance. Other laboratories use the rate of reaction or the speed of a substance in reacting. Reactivity is defined as the rate at which a chemical substance changes to its nonreactive, nonvacuum state.In another way, reactivity is measured by means of chemical reaction curves. This is done in laboratories that are involved in chemical reaction and environmental studies.Another way of determ ining the reactivity of a chemical reaction is by measuring the change in light intensity that is associated with chemical reaction products. A change in light intensity of an amount of a substance that is extremely light, is called a lightning bolt. Light is the fuel used to provide light in laboratories where chemistry research is conducted.One of the most important industrial and engineering chemistry research methods involves the process of sampling. This involves taking samples of a chemical substance and analyzing them to determine the reactivity of the substance in different types of conditions. To identify the reactivity of a substance, laboratory samples are analyzed to determine the amount of reactivity by comparing the changes in reactivity of the material with the types of experimental conditions. Laboratory samples are taken from the surface of a substance, from the surface of a sample, and through the substance and the fluid that comes through the sample.In industrial and engineering chemistry research, laboratory experiments and sensory data can be helpful in determining the reactivity of a chemical substance. As you can see, laboratory experiments in this field are very important to the chemical process. Several techniques that are used in this field can be quite time consuming.

How to Prepare for Business School Final Exams

How to Prepare for Business School Final Exams Whether your business school runs on semesters, trimesters, quarters, or terms, you will likely face a final exam at the end of each of your classes. Each MBA course covers a great deal of information during each session, and you are often expected to do additional reading on your own. It can be hard to keep track of everything you need to know for each subject, considering the many demands outside of the classroomincluding networking functions, class mixers, and recruiting events. So how can you get ready for your tests with so much going on? Ways to prepare for b-school final exams include visiting your professors office hours, forming a study group, and looking into tutoring. Keep reading to learn four tips to help you prepare for business school final exams: 1. Visit your professors office hours prior to your business school final exams Like your undergraduate instructors, your business school professors should have office hours. Attend them with specific areas of the curriculum to discussfor instance, particular case studies that you have found difficult to understand despite multiple readings. Note that the week before your final exam should not be the first time your professor has seen you during his or her office hours. This should be a continuation of your relationship with your professor, not the beginning of it, and it should help you feel more comfortable with the material that you will likely see on the exam. [RELATED: 4 Questions to Ask Your First MBA Professor] 2. Visit your teaching assistants office hours prior to your business school final exams If your course has a teaching assistant (or TA), then that TA often has his or her own office hours, as well. The TA is typically a second-year student who has taken the course in the previous year, so he or she knows what to expect. Over the span of the course, the TA may hold one-on-one consultations with students, or conduct sessions in a short lecture style for small groups. Again, you should develop a relationship with him or her over the entire semester, not directly before exam week. Determine the areas you would like to improve upon for the test, and talk with your TA about how he or she can help you. [RELATED: 4 Things to Accomplish in Your First Semester of Business School] 3. Form a study group when preparing for your business school final exams You are likely not the only person in your MBA program who needs help. So, speak with your fellow classmates to see who would like to study together as a team. Ideally, your study group will have members who each have different strengths and can provide new perspectives on the material. Instead of a group comprised of five former chemical engineers, your group could include: An accountant An artist A chemical engineer A lawyer A teacher Dividing the work among multiple people with various backgrounds and then coming together to share what you have learned will help all of you take in the material in a different and perhaps more efficient way than you would from simply studying on your own. 4. Consider hiring a tutor when preparing for your business school final exams To make the best use of your time, working with a personal tutor may be the ideal course of action. By creating a strategic plan with your tutor, you can focus on the areas where you need the most help and concentrate on improving them. The individualized attention you receive from a tutor can help you understand concepts that may be too difficult to grasp during class. Furthermore, your tutor can assist you not only with knowledge of the material in your MBA courses, but also with test-taking skills to help you navigate the different formats of your exams. In many instances, both in-person and online tutoring is available. Overall, reaching out to other people for help is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your business school final exams. Whether you attend office hours or join a study group, you will likely find it easier to get ready for your test by connecting with the people in your MBA environment. Plus, working with a tutor can boost your understanding of your courses before you have to prove your knowledge on exam day. By using these four tips, you will be well prepared for your b-school final exams. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Cats

Cats What to do With a Theatre Full of Cats? ChaptersBehind the Scenes of CatsThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalOne could say that musical theatre, in the 70s, was rudderless.That’s not to say that there weren’t any good shows on; A Chorus Line was a smash hit and so was Grease.Hair, the show that established the rock musical as a legitimate genre of musical theatre, was still running and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was still good for a few laughs.Still, looking at an overview of the shows on Broadway and at London’s West End is rather telling of the lack of direction plaguing the playbill on either side of the ocean:A Little Night Music â€" a Stephen Sondheim work that gave us the ballad Send In The ClownsAnnie, a Charnin-Meehan-Strouse collaboration reminiscent of the Golden Age of musical theaterEubie!: a revue of jazz and swing composer Eubie BlakeThe Wiz: a funk-and-soul interpretation of the beloved classic The Wizard of OzEvita tells the story of Argentinian political leader Eva Peron set to a rock’n’roll beatThere were, of course, plenty of other shows staged during that decade but this short list suffices to illustrate our point: musical theatre was a jumble of genres.The sure-bet composers were falling short of the mark and the old formulas were failing to make the grade â€" although, admittedly, Annie, with its lush sets and grand musical numbers, enjoyed a respectable run.Still, audiences were tired of formulaic theatre. By the same token, they were not quite ready for a return to vaudeville, as the cool reception to the musical Chicago indicated.Disco was dying and synthesised rock had not yet hit the airwaves; the music industry too was floundering.And then, Andrew Lloyd Webber stepped in to fill the vacuum left by shows failing to meet theatregoers’ expectations.In a decade absent of a distinct musical style â€" on the airwaves or in theatres, Mr Lloyd Webber did what most every other composer did: threw everything he had at the public in the hopes that something would stick.Jesus Christ Superstar, a sung-through rock musical, proved satisfying for a segment of the population but was panned by religious groups.Evita, with its songs also rocking every Opera house, was geared to the new generation of theatregoers. It garnered awards on both sides of the ocean but still did not prove to be the winning formula that would end the slump music theatre found itself in.That didn’t come until his next big venture… TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBehind the Scenes of Cats The junkyard cats introduce themselves in the first act of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: HaleewithaFlairAndrew Lloyd Webber, obviously well-read, often draws on classic works for inspiration: the Bible for Jesus Christ Superstar (and for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, staged a few years earlier). That doesn't explain his involvement in Evita.It was Tim Rice, his frequent collaborator, who introduced the idea of Evita. He was the one who had researched her in depth.Lloyd Webber was initially turned off at the idea of writing tango music and frisky paso dobles for a subject he presumably knew little about. He focused his attention on the musical Jeeves instead, a show that proved to be a critical and commercial failure.Evita, the show he turned to after Jeeves, was a hit, but nowhere near as big a hit as shows he writes based on literature he immerses himself into. In spite of that success, Andrew Lloyd Webber likely didn't feel as though he had hit his stride yet.T he idea to write a show about cats came to him after reading a collection of poems T.S. Eliot had written for his grandchildren.Because of the nature of those rhymes, with repetitive lines and short-syllable words, they were relatively easy to set to music; in fact, most of the song lyrics in Cats come directly from Mr Eliot’s poems.Still, how does one go from individual stanzas of poetry to a fully-fleshed stage show with an engaging narrative and stunning visuals?You might also wonder how the producers of The Lion King made the transition from animated film to Broadway musical…It all started out as a songwriting exercise.Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted to see if he could write music for already-existing lyrics â€" the poems. At that time, the idea of revolutionising musical theatre did not cross his mind.Only after completing an entire set of songs-from-poetry did he start envisioning the possibility of a show he he tentatively called Practical Cats. He performed the songs publicly , gauging the audiences’ reactions.Mr Eliot’s widow was in the audience; she held a portfolio of her husband’s previously unpublished poems in her lap. Among them was one titled Grizabella, the Glamour Cat.That is the poem that finally allowed Mr Lloyd Webber to visualise his collection of songs as a fully fleshed-out musical fit for audiences worldwide.He contacted West End producer Cameron Mackintosh to bat around production ideas…Yes, that is the same Cameron Mackintosh that brought us Les Miserables! Considering Japan's feline adoration, it is no surprise that Cats is one of their longest running shows! Source: Wikipedia Credit: LombrosoThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisIt’s night. The Jellicle cats gather and outline their purpose. Noticing they have a human audience, they show no fear in talking directly with them â€" a technique known as ‘breaking the fourth wall’ in theatre-speak.The cats break that wall throughout the show, in effect making Cats an immersive experience.Each of the cats introduces themselves and then make way for Victoria, the tribe’s most graceful cat, to execute her ballet, which serves as the opening of the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy will select one lucky cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer for a new life.Just as Rum Tum Tugger’s song ends, a shabby old cat makes its way onstage, hoping for her chance to make her case for a new life. The other cats recoil in disgust at the formerly glamorous Grizabella. Dejected, she wanders offstage.The par ade of cats and their acts continues until a loud crash offstage is heard. All of the cats run away in fright but it is only Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, disreputable petty thieves even in stray cat circles!When their act ends, they are confronted by all of the other cats. Needless to say, they are not the pride of the tribe!You might say that Oliver Twist and his gang enjoyed a similar reputation…The Jellicle Ball progresses but there is malevolence afoot; Old Deuteronomy is in danger and the whole programme is at risk of falling through. Through the fighting, the lights go out…How will we know which cat is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer?Also, discover cliffhangers from other popular musicals… The cats' last stand: taking a bow at the end of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: Quadratestat MannheimAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalCats set out to fulfil lofty aims and attained every one.Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tactic identifying each cat by matching its personality to a musical style was a stroke of genius.Rum Tum Tugger treated us to a rock song but Grizabella, a sad, tired cat, held forth in a dramatic aria more reminiscent of classical opera. The disparate styles of music were crafted together through preludes, recurring melodic motifs and reprises.If weaving together different genres of music was difficult, choreographing them was a magnum opus.Indeed, Cats is regarded as one of the most challenging shows to dance in the history of musical theatre, going as it does from ballet to jazz to tap to modern dance.The reason for this this vast dance repertoire is twofold.It had long been thought that American musical theatre is more amenable to choreography; British dance rs had somehow earned the reputation of being ‘less’ than those across the pond.Hiring British choreographer Gillian Lynne - and her doing a scintillating job of things was tantamount to British musical theatre thumbing its nose at Broadway, its presumably more vivacious counterpart.To make things even more taxing choreography-wise, most of the cats were meant to be on stage throughout the show even though not all of them would be dancing at the same time. That is a lot of bodies to coordinate movements for!Ms Lynne choreographed the show in such a way that every cat would stay in character even if they were sitting off to the side.Not only did she arrange for subtle movements at the stage’s peripheral but she encouraged the actors to mimic the movements of cats, grooming themselves or maybe chasing a dust ball, lending the show an anthropomorphic, slightly surreal feel.The final element that made choreographing this show so tricky is that not every stage is the same size, nor do they all have the same amenities. To wit, in some theatres, the cat ascending to the Heaviside Layer rises via a ladder, in others a sort of flying saucer is employed.Do you wonder how The Phantom of the Opera descending into the sewers is engineered?Nevertheless, the show came together beautifully and, by the by, ushered in the era of the megamusical â€" musical theatre on the grandest scale.Cats frolicked in the most renown houses: the New London Theatre and the Palladium. Across the pond, they dazzled audiences at the Winter Garden Theater, where it won seven Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and even a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.Cats holds the #2 spot for longest-running show on Broadway.Since it’s debut in London’s West End, Cats has travelled the world and been translated into multiple languages. In Japan, Cats has been playing continuously since 1983 in its own, purpose-built theatre.It has also enjoyed revival after revival, effectively proving that cats do indeed have many lives.If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of hearing for yourself one bedraggled cat named Grizabella sing Memory â€" and, of course, the rest of the Jellicle Cats sing their songs, why not see if you can find tickets for a production near you?We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.Now discover Broadway’s new smash hit, Hamilton...

A Student Perspective on Brigham Young University

A Student Perspective on Brigham Young University Joseph is a current senior at Brigham Young University. He is majoring in psychology, and specializes in Algebra 2 tutoring, ACT English tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at Brigham Young University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Joseph: The campus is located in a valley at the base of a portion of the Wasatch Mountains. Most students live in off-campus housing thats within a 20-minute walk from campus. Its very easy to do without a car and still maintain a good social life. You can walk to the campus, a good portion of the other apartment complexes, grocery stores, and even hiking trails. The campus is located in a town of about 100,000, but the downtown area does not have much to it. As far as safety goes, it was rated the safest college campus in America. Buses and a train are available for travel north to Orem or Salt Lake City. A car and bike are nice for convenience, but definitely not necessary. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Joseph:All professors are required by the university to hold office hours, so the only factors stopping you from getting one-on-one help from them are your own fears to approach them. I have found it easy to schedule an appointment with academic advisers. Most classes have one or two teaching assistants per 50 students, each with their own office hours. The TAs often host review sessions of their own. In physics, math, and psychology there are labs open all day where you can go to get help from TAs. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Joseph:Most of the students live in off-campus housing. Theres quite a variety of housing quality, from the rundown to nice and modern housing. Many students buy and cook their own food, but there are dining areas on campus where meal plans can be used. The culture is very friendly and people are usually quite open to making new friends. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Joseph:The BYU Marriott School of Business is often rated top five in the country. There are also particularly strong programs in the engineering department. Since its a large university, most areas of study are well-represented. I chose to major in psychology. The university has a large faculty for the program with plenty of opportunities for involvement. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Joseph:Its very easy to make friends. You can go into the lunch room and sit by somebody and theyre usually very happy to talk. Most people are closest with their roommates; its a little bit more difficult to become close friends with people otherwise. Theres no greek life on campus. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Joseph:I have not personally used the Career Center or other services other than advisement, but the list of services offered is quite extensive. There are often career fairs that have many reputable companies in attendance. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Joseph:The library usually has enough room; its one of the best college libraries in the country. It can get a little crowded, in which case most of the other buildings on campus have study areas which are quite spacious. Describe the surrounding town. Joseph:Provo itself doesnt have much to do, so students usually hang out around campus with each other. Salt Lake City has a bit more to do, but its an hour or more by car. There are a lot of opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are three canyons into the mountains within a 30-minute drive, each with near hiking trails. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Joseph:The student body size is around 30,000. There tends to be large classes for generals and early in your major, which can be a little bit ineffective. For classes where size is important and later in the major, they hold between 20 and 40 people. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Joseph:I am currently enrolled in a research and writing class for political science, and the way the class is organized is like a well-oiled machine. There is one TA, each with office hours, for every 20 students. The teacher is very funny and keeps lectures entertaining. He even has large candy bars that he gives out when people answer questions. Hes put a lot of energy into teaching methods that are effective. The papers are graded at a really high level, but because of the support system, the class helps students to truly reach this level. Check out Josephs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Understanding Calculus Tutors

Online Understanding Calculus Tutors Calculus is an important section of Mathematics which involves a detailed study about different functions and behavior of those functions. Calculus is sub-divided into two important branches which are finding derivatives of functions and finding integrals of functions. Derivatives of a function gives the rate of change of one variable with respect to the other and integrals of functions analyses the area covered under the graph of a given function. In order to analyze math in advanced level, it is very important to understand calculus as it helps us understand functions in a much detailed manner. Example 1: Use the derivative method to find the slope of the given straight line, f(x) = 5x + 2. In order to find the derivative, we can use the Power rule of the Derivatives: d(xn)/dx = n * xn-1 We can distribute the derivative to both the terms: d(5x + 2)/dx [ d(5x)/ dx ] + [ d(2)/ dx ] Using the above formula, we get 5(x1-1) + 0 = 5 Hence the slope or the derivative of the given straight line is 5. Example 2: Calculate the integral of the function, f(x) = 3x2 8x. Given function: f(x) = 3x2 8x. In order to find the integral of the given function, we can use the formula: xn dx= x(n+1)/ (n+1) Applying the above formula for the given function, we get (fx) dx = 3 * x2+1/(2 + 1) 8 * x1+1/(1 + 1) + c f(x)dx = 3x3/3 8x2/2 + c We can simplify it as: f(x)dx = x3 4x2 + c

A Look Inside the Thoughts of a Hiring Manager - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / A Look Inside the Thoughts of a Hiring Manager - Introvert Whisperer A Look Inside the Thoughts of a Hiring Manager Haven’t you ever wished you could hear the thoughts going on inside the head of a hiring manager?  If you had the inside track it would help you understand what’s going on in the process and how to get a competitive advantage. Let me offer you that insight.  I hired hundreds of people in my 21 years as a manager and also hundreds more as a recruiter.  I also have compared my experience with other managers to help me improve my process and to broaden my perspective on hiring. Let’s start at the beginning of the process: - This is a PAIN…  I’m already working 10-12 hours a day just to get my work done and now I’ve got more work to do just to hire someone.  Who knows if the person I hire will work out and if they don’t then my life is seriously miserable.  Yep, I think a root canal is sounding like more fun. - I want this to be over quickly.  Maybe I can get this over fast.  I keep a stash of resumes of people who have been referred to me in my desk, let me start looking at those.  I really hope one of these matches what I’m looking for because if it does, I might get this over A.S.A.P.! - I’ll ask around.  I’m going to call and email a few people I know that always seem to be well connected.  I’ll find out if they have any hot resumes or know of people they think would be good at this job.  I’ll make it known to lots of people I know so maybe I can speed up this process and I won’t have to post.  My history tells me that referrals are always the best hires anyway. - I guess I better write job descriptions and posting.  I’m going to see if I can find an old job posting I used last year to copy from so I don’t have to start with a blank page. Maybe I can find someone else’s job posting and just reuse the parts of theirs that work for this job.  I never know what to write for a job posting anyway.  This is just another part of this whole process that I hate.  I dread the idea that we’d actually have to go so far as to post this online.  The deluge of resumes is a killer. The process has started: - I can’t read another resume!  OMG!  All of these resumes look and sound alike.  How am I supposed to pick from this pile of 50 resumes? â€" And there are another 300 in the system I’m sure are the same.  None of these resume’s stand out unless they are seriously bad or unqualified.  At least the bad ones are somewhat entertaining.  I can’t believe that someone with none of my hiring criteria is even bothering to send me a resume…it looks like they completely ignored my hiring criteria. - Now I’ve picked a handful of resumes, someone saves me from this misery!    So, I’ve picked out 10 resumes that all look like they can do the job.  I’m still holding out some hope that one of my “feelers” is still going to work out and a referral calls me. - Phone screen time â€" I actually don’t mind this part.  The fun thing about calling these applicants is that most of the time I don’t actually get them so I leave a voicemail.  If I don’t hear back from those people in 24 hours, I pitch the resume and move on to someone else.  I use follow up and attention to things like voicemail as part of my screening process.  It’s amazing how many people are soooo bad at responding in a timely manner.  They’re either rude or stupid â€" both things I don’t want to hire. - Phone screen for real.  I still like this part of the process because all I’m trying to do now is find a reason to not interview someone in person.  Short and sweet with only a couple of questions.  I can get this done before lunch.  I’m still hoping for a referral. Final phases: - UCK!  Interviewing.  Talk about a contrived event.  I’ve tried to figure out what the best questions are to ask all the applicants so I can compare them all when I’m done.  BUT, it only marginally helps the decision process in the end.  I might have a trusted staff member or peer interview my top candidates to help me sort out my decision but even that isn’t always a good thing to do.  At some point, interviewing is boring because its almost like reading resumes â€" they all start sounding the same. - I’m still hoping for a referral.  I don’t care how far along I am in this process.  If the right person were to come along, I’d dump all these candidates for a person my network endorses. - Decision time. ?  It’s been 3 weeks since I interviewed the last candidate â€" 5 weeks from the first interview.  I had a big presentation to do and it took all my time, then I had some other business issues to deal with.  I didn’t think it would take this long to get around to making a decision but that’s how business works.  I’ve got to take care of priorities and hiring just had to take second place. I think I remember which person I thought I’d choose.  I hope looking over the resumes and my interview notes help jog my memory.  I think this is the one.  I’m sure this person can do the work but mostly I really liked them, which makes me hopeful that we can work together well.  That’s what its all about.  I’ll get with HR and work up an offer.  Who knows how long that will take? The hiring process for most hiring managers is not a fun activity.  It’s extra work and never goes as fast as anyone thinks it should.  At some point, all the resumes and candidates blend together unless someone just happens to stand out. That doesn’t happen very much.  At the end of the day, the manager hires the person they liked most because they all appeared to be able to do the job. What should a job seeker pull out of this? They should focus on referrals and networking.  You will always stand out if you do. Bonus Tip: Adapting is key to your career survival, growth, and advancement.  Get Free Instant Access to Video series The 5 Most Common Ways Introverts Commit Career Self-Sabotage and How to Avoid Them.  Click here now: www.introvertwhisperer.com/careergoals  Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran, Introvert Whisperer, dedicated to unleashing your career potential. www.introvertwhisperer.com Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

An Intro to the New AP Computer Science Principles Course

An Intro to the New AP Computer Science Principles Course While many students fear that their high school and even college education may fail to get them a job upon graduation, those with a background in computer science seldom have reason to worry. The tech industry continues to grow and change, and theres no signs of stopping. It should come as no surprise, then, that schools will begin offering an AP Computer Science Principles course in the fall of 2016. The course, which will emphasize creative ways to solve problems in the larger world, is meant to prepare students for both college and employment situations. Rightfully so skills in computer science are required or are strongly beneficial for nearly every field of employment. Computer science skills have become essential for students entering the workforce. With this in mind, here is an intro to the new AP Computer Science Principles course. AP Computer Science Principles development The AP Computer Science Principles course has been in development since 2008 and has been the collaborative effort of more than 50 high school and higher education teachers. The course is meant to be interactive, current, and relevant. AP Computer Science Principles content Instead of simply reviewing a programming language, the course will cover technology and programming as a solution for computer issues. It will focus on computers and their interaction with and to society not revolving around computers entirely, but examining the ways computing has influenced other fields. In addition to computer science, the course will build communication and collaboration skills, emphasize problem solving as individuals and as groups, and examine technology in the world. The class will focus on seven big ideas entrenched in the principles of STEM education: creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the Internet, and global impact. AP Computer Science Principlesframework This class is meant to mimic a first semester introduction to college computing course. The course teaches the computational thinkingpractices necessary for developing the knowledge and skills to analyze data and communicate. Because the course focuses around seven big ideas, each uses questions and concepts to connect every idea to the next. These questions tend to be large-scale questions that rely on information learned in previous sections. As with many AP courses, the Computer Science Principles course features thorough learning objectives that provide students with clear goals for the course and the AP exam to follow. Next to each learning objective (which are numbered so that their relationship to big ideas and enduring understandings is clear), students will find essential knowledge statements, which will help students perform well on the AP exam and in every section of the course. This course will be creative, iterative, and exploratory, which makes it very useful for a variety of learners. AP Computer Science Principles test The AP test for this course will consist of two parts. First, the AP exam and then the through-course AP assessment. The AP examwill be administered as a multiple choice test filled out with paper and pencil. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of course learning objectives. In the through-course assessment, students will complete two performance tasks involving programming. Theyll look at student learningin a more comprehensive way than can be achieved on a timed test. Students will perform their knowledge in a real world way. Overall, the course looks to provide valuable job skills to students interested in technology.