College in High School Course Descriptions
Following is a list of the courses available to you through the University of Pittsburgh College in High School (CHS) program. Not all courses are offered at all high schools. Your high school guidance counselor or the CHS office can answer questions about what is offered at a particular high school.
Chemistry 0110
(4 credits)
General Chemistry 1
This is the first half of a two-term introduction to general chemistry. Topics include atomic theory, molarity, gases and kinetic theory, thermochemistry, electronic structure and the periodic table, relationships between phases, ionic solutions and acid/base theories, redox reactions, carbon chemistry, rates of reactions, chemical equilibria, and thermodynamics. This course requires laboratory sessions and exams on the Pitt campus.
Prerequisite: High school chemistry.
Course Syllabus
Communication and Rhetoric 0500
(3 credits)
Argument
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of research and argument construction. Defense of an argument is presented both verbally and in writing. Topics of this course include an introduction to argument, types of argument, constructing an argument, research methods and evidence, delivery of argument, delivery and refutation of arguments, cross-examination, and evaluation or criticism of arguments.
Prerequisite: None.
Course Syllabus
Computer Science 0004
(3 credits)
Introduction to Computer Programming: BASIC
This course serves students with a variety of career or academic interests. BASIC was originally created to facilitate the learning of programming. Moreover, its interactive features, power, and versatility have made it the most widely employed programming language for home computers. Topics include problem analysis, development of algorithms, statements, commands, debugging, loops, control structures, expressions and operators, the top-down programming concept, subroutines, arrays and subscripts, nested structures and loops, logical operators, sorting algorithms, string data and character string manipulations, file access, graphics, sound, and color.
Prerequisite: One year of high school algebra.
Course Syllabus
Computer Science 0007
(3 credits)
Introduction to Computer Programming
This is a first course in computer programming. It is recommended for students intending to major in computer science who do not have the required background for CS 0401. It also may be of interest to students majoring in one of the social sciences or humanities. The focus of the course is on program analysis and the development of algorithms and computer programs in a modern high-level language.
Prerequisite: Two years of high school mathematics and interest in computer science as a major. Some familiarity with computers in general is assumed.
Course Syllabus
Computer Science 0110
(3 credits)
Introduction to Personal Computers and the Internet
The purpose of this course is to give students without previous experience with computers the knowledge and skills needed to use computers effectively in college and beyond. Emphasis will be placed on using software packages for word processing, spreadsheets, and databases and on using the Internet.
Prerequisite: None.
Course Syllabus
Computer Science 0401
(4 credits)
Intermediate Programming Using Java
The purpose of this course is to introduce the fundamental topics in computer science and improve programming skills with in introduction to programming in Java. This would be a first course for students intending to major in computer science in college.
Prerequisite: Previous programming experience including arrays, records, and functions with parameters.
Course Syllabus
French 0003
(3 credits)
Intermediate College French 1
This course is a continuation of the first-year sequence. Emphasis continues to be placed on the oral-aural skills, but the reading and writing skills become increasingly stressed.
Prerequisite: At least two years of high school French.
Course Syllabus
French 0004
(3 credits)
Intermediate College French 2
This course is a continuation of French 0003. The reading and writing skills are emphasized even more than in French 0003 but continue to be accomplished by oral-aural work.
Prerequisite: French 0003.
Course Syllabus
Latin 0220
(3 credits)
Latin: Intermediate Verse
This course is an introduction to Latin poetry. Students will read selections from Books I, II, and IV of Virgil's epic, the Aeneid, a poem that tells the amazing story of a band of Trojan refugees and their leader, Aeneas, who are searching for a new homeland. In our reading we will pay close attention to diction, style, meter, narrative technique, and the conventions of the ancient epic. Students also will read the whole poem in English for in-class discussion.
Mathematics 0120
(4 credits)
Calculus for Business
This course provides an introduction to calculus for students interested in managerial, social, or biological science. Topics include functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, applications of differentiation, integration, exponential and logarithmic functions, and an introduction to multivariable calculus. Many College in High School instructors also include the calculus of trigonometric functions.
Prerequisite: High school algebra and current facility with algebraic manipulations are essential.
Course Syllabus
Mathematics 0220
(4 credits)
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
This course is the standard first course in a basic calculus sequence required for all mathematics, science, engineering, and statistics students. Topics covered in this course include functions and graphs, limits, derivatives, trigonometric functions, application of the derivative, integral, applications of the integral, and exponential and logarithmic functions. As time allows, the College in High School course may include in its syllabus the differentiation of the logarithmic and exponential functions, which is the first topic in Calculus II on campus.
Prerequisite: Skill in algebraic manipulation is essential. Trigonometry and two years of high school algebra or precalculus are required.
Course Syllabus
Mathematics 0230
(4 credits)
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
This is the second course in the basic calculus sequence and is intended for all mathematics, engineering, science, and statistics students. MATH 0230 covers symbolic and numerical integration techniques and applications, modeling, differential equations, and Taylor series.
Prerequisite: Math 0220.
Course Syllabus
Physics 0174
(4 credits)
Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1
This is the first term of a two-term introductory lecture-demonstration sequence in physics for science and engineering students. Calculus is used as needed and should be taken at least concurrently. Subjects covered include kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, energy, momentum, rotational motion, angular momentum, gravitation, oscillations, mechanical waves, and kinetic theory.
Prerequisite: Math 0220 either before or concurrently with Phys 0174.
Course Syllabus
Statistics 0200
(4 credits)
Basic Applied Statistics
This course teaches methods and terminologies of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students who complete this course will be able to conduct their own analyses of standard one-sample or two-sample data sets, follow statistical reasoning, and read statistical reports with understanding. Introductory topics in linear regression, analysis of variance, and contingency table analysis also will be covered.
Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra are recommended.
Course Syllabus