CS50's AP® Computer Science Principles | Harvard University

This XSeries Program in CS50's AP® Computer Science Principles is only for students in high school. 

This is CS50 AP®, Harvard University's two-course introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming for students in high school, which satisfies the College Board's AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) curriculum framework. Students in high school may receive AP credit for completing these courses provided their school approves the credit and administers the College Board's Create Performance Task by Friday, April 30, 2021, 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and End-of-Course Multiple-Choice Exam on Thursday, May 13, 2021, 8:00 AM local time. Students should make all such arrangements in advance with their school directly. Students who earn a satisfactory score on all problem sets and a final project are also eligible to receive a verified certificate from HarvardX.

This XSeries program combines two entry-level courses, CS50’s Understanding Technology and CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science, for students with no prior background. Taught by David J. Malan, CS50 AP® teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, and software engineering. Languages include C, Python, and SQL plus students’ choice of: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (for web development); Java or Swift (for mobile app development); or Lua (for game development). Problem sets inspired by the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Course culminates in a final project.

CS50 itself is Harvard University's largest course on campus.