IB Computer Science

Overview

Your final grade in IB Computer Science comes from 3 individual grades:

· 35 % = Internal Assessment Dossier (Programming Project) due March 2007

· 32½ % = Exam Paper #1 (short problems) May 2007

· 32½ % = Exam Paper #2 (long problems) May 2007

The Internal Assessment project (dossier) counts about the same as each of the written exams. It provides an opportunity to develop and demonstrate programming skills in Java. The written exams include some programming questions, so the Java skills also pay off in the exam (although the majority of exam questions are not about programming). So it's worthwhile to devote considerable time and effort to the Java programming project.

-- Project Outline --

The Computer Science Internal Assessment project contains a computer program, in Java, which solves a realistic problem. But the project requires more than just writing a computer program, and is completed in 4 stages:

· A = Analysis - investigating and analyzing the problem - Due 16 Oct, 2006 a detailed analysis of the problem with a prototype program, leading to a set of GOALS that will guide the design and be used to test the success of the program.

· B = Design - designing the program (before programming) - Due 20 Nov, 2006 a pre-programming design of a complete solution describing data-structures, algorithms, modules, and mastery items that will be included in the solution.

· C = Programming - writing the Java program - Due 5 Feb, 2007 demonstrating programming skills mastery of 10 specific techniques

· D = Documentation - paper documentation about the solution - Due 5 Mar, 2007 paper documentation showing thorough testing of the program, user instructions, and evaluation of the success of the solution.

The finished project is due on Monday, 12 March, 2007. It is all submitted on paper which will be marked by the teacher after a 30 minute interview, during which the teacher and student run the program together. Interviews will be scheduled between 12 March and 26 March, 2007.

-- Project Requirements -

The student must: select a problem, analyze the problem, design the solution, write a Java program, and document the solution fully. The program must demonstrate that the student has mastered 10 specific programming techniques. Some of these are straightforward and others are rather difficult. There is a VERY LARGE PENALTY for any missing mastery skills. So, it is essential to choose a problem and plan a solution that sensibly uses the required techniques. Some problems are not appropriate (for example video games) and some solutions are not appropriate (for example Java applets in web-pages).

The official IBO documents are considerably longer and more detailed than this summary.

Syllabus: http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/documents/dp/gr5/computer_science/d_5_comsc_gui_0605_1_e.pdf

Support: http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/documents/dp/gr5/computer_science/d_5_comsc_tsm_0505_1_e.pdf