A-Level Computer Science
Course title: A Level Computer Science
Department: Computer Science
Course Overview: – The digital age continues to expand with the role of computing pervading throughout almost all industries and organisational processes. Whether you work as a programmer, medical practitioner or marketer it is becoming increasingly important for you to possess, at varying levels of proficiency, some understanding of computer science. Computer science no longer stands alone; it is an ever-increasing part of countless business departments and processes, and in this digital age, even journalists are being encouraged to learn JavaScript and HTML.
Duration of qualification: 2 years
Course Entry Requirements: Grade 6 GCSE Maths .
Timetable hours: 6×50 min lessons
Assessment method: 2 Exams and 1 Programming Project
Qualification: A Level Computer Science: www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/specification-at-a-glance
Exam Board: OCR;
What will be taught:
During this 2 year course, 3 components will be taught.
Component 1: Computer systems – Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. The resulting knowledge and understanding will underpin their work in component 03.
Component 2: Algorithms and programming – This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving.
Component 3: Programming project
Component 1 covers:
- The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
- Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
- Data exchange between different systems
- Data types, data structures and algorithms
- Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.
Component 2 covers:
- What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)
- Problem-solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems
- Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems.
Component 3 covers:
Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science. We support a wide and diverse range of languages.
Courses Available: A Level
Career Pathways: Traditionally, computer science graduates would move into programming and software engineering. However, as the influence of computing continues to grow, graduates can also expect to be offered positions in other departments.
Transferable Skills: Example: Experienced professionals also benefit from possessing a great number of transferable skills. This allows for professionals to move around the computing sector, keeping their workload fresh, while simultaneously developing new and solidifying existing skills and competencies.
*Other Information: Students on this course are required to purchase an apron etc.
Enquiries: Mark Martin
