Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Dr. Karen McCloskey

MA, PhD, QM Quality Matters

ICS4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Computer Science

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

ICS4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Computer Science

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

ICS4U

Course Name

Computer Science

Grade

Grade 12

Course Type

University Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 12 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

August 2024

Curriculum

ICS4U – The Ontario Curriculum, Computer Studies, Grades 10 to 12, 2008 (Revised)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. Students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. Student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. Students will also analyse algorithms for effectiveness. They will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: Mastering Data Types and Expressions

In this unit, you’ll dive into the world of data types and expressions in programming. You’ll write small programs to understand integer division, type conversion, and non-numeric comparisons. Through engaging coding exercises and automated quizzes, you’ll get instant feedback on your progress. You’ll also document your code and reflect on what you’ve learned.

10 Hours

Unit 2: Building Modular Programs

Discover the power of modular programming by creating programs divided among multiple files. Using tools like Visual Studio Code and GitHub, you’ll practice concepts like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. You’ll modify existing programs to make them better and submit your projects for AI-based feedback.

10 Hours

Unit 3: Algorithm Adventures

Embark on an adventure to design and analyze algorithms. You’ll write algorithms for search and sort operations, work with two-dimensional arrays, and create recursive algorithms. Coding challenges will test your skills, and you’ll reflect on the efficiency of your solutions using platforms like LeetCode.

12 Hours

Unit 4: Perfecting Code Maintenance

Learn the best practices for maintaining your code. You’ll develop and implement testing plans using Jenkins, create well-documented program code, and generate user documentation. Independently resolving syntax issues using resources like Stack Overflow will help you grow as a programmer. Self-assessment tools will ensure your code is top-notch.

10 Hours

Unit 5: Project Planning Mastery

Master the art of project planning by creating a software project plan. You’ll use tools like Trello and Gantt charts to manage your project components. Activities include producing a software scope document and managing your project timeline. Reflecting on your project management process will prepare you for real-world scenarios.

15 Hours

Unit 6: Independent Software Development

Take charge of your own software development project. You’ll work on coding, testing, and creating user documentation using platforms like GitHub and Bitbucket. Reflect on your progress and contributions using AI tools to simulate project management. This unit will help you manage your time and meet project goals independently.

15 Hours

Unit 7: Mastering Modular Design

Apply modular design concepts to create efficient programs. You’ll decompose problems into modules and use data encapsulation. Designing reusable code modules and reflecting on their efficiency will be key activities. Self-assessment quizzes on platforms like HackerRank will help you gauge your progress.

10 Hours

Unit 8: Analyzing Algorithm Efficiency

Analyze the efficiency of various algorithms. You’ll compare linear and binary searches, analyze sorting algorithms, and identify pitfalls in recursive functions. Coding exercises and AI-based feedback using tools like CodeSignal will guide you through this unit.

10 Hours

Unit 9: Ethics and Environmental Impact

Explore strategies to reduce the environmental impact of technology and analyze ethical issues in computing. You’ll research environmental initiatives, analyze ethical scenarios, and create reports on your findings. Reflecting on ethical practices will help you understand the broader implications of technology.

8 Hours

Unit 10: Exploring Emerging Technologies

Discover the impact of emerging technologies on society and careers in computer science. You’ll research new technologies, produce reports, and explore career options. Creating presentations or videos to showcase your findings will be part of this engaging unit. AI tools will provide feedback on your work.

10 Hours

Final Exam

Comprehensive assessment of all specific expectations covered in the course. Activities and Assessments: Cumulative final exam to assess overall understanding and application of course concepts.

20 Hours

Total Hours

120 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

At Royal Ontario Academy, our asynchronous, self-paced courses are crafted to engage students actively, encouraging deep learning and self-reflection. Our online OSSD courses are normally divided into 8-10 smaller sections to help students learn content in manageable portions. Lessons connect concepts to practical, relatable social, environmental, and economic issues, fostering lifelong learning by helping students apply knowledge to real-life contexts.

Students are encouraged to explore, investigate, and think critically as they progress independently. This approach emphasizes problem-solving skills, guiding students to persist through challenges, reason through complex ideas, and explore alternative solutions on their own, building resilience and independence essential for success beyond the classroom.

Our virtual high school courses provide a variety of learning experiences through virtual labs, simulations, knowledge checks, reflections, and videos. Interactive activities and discussion forums are designed to draw on students prior knowledge, keeping them engaged and actively participating. These tools enable OSSD students to practice, reflect, and apply concepts flexibly at their own pace, creating a personalized learning journey tailored to each student’s interests and goals.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy including quizzes, tests, projects, essays, journals, and final assessments.
The final exam is a closed book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit. Students may also be required to appear on video for other assessments in certain courses.

All OSSD courses follow a simple evaluation breakdown at our virtual high school:
70% of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the online course. The remaining 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation or exam. This may be a final exam, a final project/report, or a combination of both an exam and a project.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Mid Term Report: Reflects achievement and development after the first 4 Units.

Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course.

According to Growing Success First Edition, Grades 1 to 12, 2010, the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices and procedures that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit;
are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
are communicated clearly to students and parents at the beginning of the school year or course and at other appropriate points throughout the school year or course;
are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement;
develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP)is a personalized document that outlines a student’s learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help you!

– Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. To do so, a copy of the student’s IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.

– Students Without IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward. In this case, students will need to submit supporting documentation to help determine the appropriate accommodations.

– English Language Learners:– English Language Learners: Students who enroll at Royal Ontario Academy can provide information about their English language proficiency during the registration process. This information helps our teachers and Principal to tailor their teaching strategies and implement accommodations that support English language learners effectively.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com

Resources Required by the Student

Students should have the following minimum hardware and software requirements to access the Advanced Functions
Minimum Technical Specifications

Hardware

A PC running Windows XP or higher or
A Mac running OS X or
A Chromebook running Chrome OS
2GB of RAM
High speed internet connection
A sound card with speakers or headphones
A functional webcam and microphone

Software

Adobe Reader
Java
A typical Office Suite including a word processor application, equation editor and spreadsheets

Browser

Mozilla Firefox4 or higher or
Internet Explorer 7 or higher or
Safari 5 or higher or
Google Chrome 11 or higher
In some cases, a scanner or phone/camera may be used to submit handwritten assignments.

Do students need any additional resources (i.e. textbooks)?

Every student in a virtual high school needs access to a desktop computer or laptop with high-speed internet and word processing software.

Any additional course-specific resources (i.e., calculators, software downloads, etc.) are listed on the individual course outline pages on our website.

All Royal Ontario Academy online course content is contained within our moodle learning management system, so no textbooks are required. For English courses and some social science/humanities courses, students may be required to locate copies of novels and plays that are readily available at public libraries or bookstores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is ICS4U?
ICS4U is a Grade 12 Computer Science course at University Preparation level.

2. What are 4U – (eg: 3M in AWQ3M (ICS4U))
4U for the ICS4U refers to the grade level and the course type. 4 refers to the 12th Grade and the second digit refers to the University Preparation course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for ICS4U?
The prerequisite for Computer Science is Any Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation

4. How long does it take to complete the ICS4U online course?
The completion of the ICS4U course varies depending on the availability and pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in minimum of 4 weeks to maximum of 12 months.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your ICS4U online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the ICS4U?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the ICS4U in various formats such as videos, question and answers, interactive tools, written notes, simulations, presentations, and external websites/links depending on the subject material of the course.

7. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).
For students registered in Grade 11 and 12 courses, withdrawals made within 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid-term) report card from Royal Ontario Academy will result in the mark not being recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Withdrawals after 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid term) report card will result in a “”W”” being entered in the “”Credit”” column of the OST, along with the mark at the time of withdrawal.

8. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed. However, please be mindful of any deadlines for university or college applications.

9. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario secondary school diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Price Detail

$500

/ 1 Course

$800

/ 2 Course

$1050

/ 3 Course

Start your learning journey with us.

Related Courses

Canadian and International Law

CLN4U

Grade 12

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Governance in Canada

NDG4M

Grade 12

Canadian and International Politics

CPW4U

Grade 12

We're Here to Help

Thank you for reaching us.

Computer Science