The Computer Studies department offers course in computer programming. For information about computer technology and engineering courses, see the Technological Education department's descriptions of TEJ1O, TEJ2O and TEJ3M.
The computer programming courses start in grade 10, by introducing the basic concepts involved in computer programming, and progress through the grade 11 and 12 courses to more advanced concepts in order to prepare students for post secondary studies. The programming language used in grade 10 is Microsoft's Visual Basic because of its' ease of use and graphical nature. Due to the increase in tablet and smart phone technology, students will also be given the opportunity to learn how to write programs for the Android environment.
In grades 11 and 12, the chosen language is Java, because it is used in most university computer science courses and also because the Advanced Placement exam is based on the Java language.
The computer department also runs a computer programming club which is available for the enrichment of those keen and talented programmers. Senior students teach the junior members programming languages and concepts that go beyond the secondary school curriculum. Teams are formed from the members of the club and they compete in challenges such as the York Region Programming Contest, the University of Waterloo CCC, ECOO and the Woburn Challenge. The club meets after school each Wednesday in the senior computer lab, room 221.