A Level Computer Science

Introduction – why choose this subject?

Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement to look at the natural world through a digital prism. Studying Computer Science opens the door to a vast range of further education courses and careers such as software engineering and development, programming, game development, cyber security, and many more. More than ever before, having the foundations of Computer Science prepares students for the ever-increasing integration of technology in all areas of work.

The aims of this qualification are to enable students to develop:

• An understanding of and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation
• The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs
• The capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills

How is the course examined?

80% exam, 20% coursework

Computer systems (Component 1) 2 hour 30 minute written exam 40%

This component will introduce students to the internal workings of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. It is expected that students will draw on this underpinning content when studying computational thinking, developing programming techniques and devising their own programming approach in the Programming project component.

Algorithms and programming (Component 2) 2 hour and 30 minute written exam 40%

This component will incorporate and build on the knowledge and understanding gained in the Computer systems component (01). In addition, you should:

• Understand what is meant by computational thinking
• Understand the benefits of applying computational thinking to solving a wide variety of problems
• Understand the principles of solving problems by computational methods
• Be able to use algorithms to describe problems
• Be able to analyse a problem by identifying its component parts.

Programming project (Component 3) coursework 20%

You will be expected to analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language.

Equipment

• Students will need 3 lever arch files
• Students will be given an Isaac Computing workbook.
• Students will need to download Python which is a free IDE program

Homework

Students will be given regular weekly homework from teachers delivering the course.

Learning outside the classroom

• Computing club
• STEM opportunities with various projects over the course
• Students are expected to be programming regularly outside of the lesson, allowing them to develop their programming skills in preparation for the exam and NEA project.
• Students will also be given a workbook with questions in relation to theory from the specification.