Computer Science

Entry Requirements: a minimum of a Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and English in addition to 3 other 5-9 grades. A GCSE in Computer Science Qualification would be an advantage.

why study this course?

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, and can look at the natural world through a digital perspective.

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

• An understanding 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 to do so
• The capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills.

assessment

• Computer Systems (01) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Non-Calculator written paper – 40%
  • o The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
  • o Software and software development
  • o Exchanging data
  • o Data types, data structures and algorithms
  • o Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

 

• Algorithms and Programming (02) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Non-Calculator written paper – 40%
  • o Elements of computational thinking
  • o Problem solving and programming
  • o Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

 

• Programming Project 70 marks Non-exam assessment – 20%
  • The learner will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification.
    • Analysis of the problem
    • Design of the solution
    • Developing the solution
    • Evaluation

course content

This is a brand new course at Bow and the exact structure of the course will very much reflect the OCR exam specifications.

Year 12

Autumn term

Programming	Theory
Procedural programming	Representation of numbers
Programming concepts	Compression
String handling	Encryption
Subroutines
File handling
IDE’s

Spring term

Programming	Theory
Object-oriented programming	Software
	Operating systems
	High- and low-level programming languages
	Translators
	Boolean logic
	Systems architecture

Summer term

Programming	Theory
Event-driven programming	Memory and storage
Software engineering principles	Hardware
Programming project/NEA	Database concepts
	SQL

 Year 13

Autumn term

Programming	Theory
Recursion	Computational thinking
Software project	Data structures
Program design	Searching
Testing	Sorting
	Pathfinding
	Complexity

Spring term

Programming	Theory
Programming project/NEA	Network fundamentals
	Network hardware
	The Internet
	Web technologies
	Network security

Summer term

Programming	Theory
Programming project/NEA	Legislation
	Impacts of technology
	Social engineering
	Malicious code
	Managing security threats

future pathways

A good grade in Computer Science at A level is valued by universities and employers since it requires the development of analytical thinking and problem solving skills. This course also lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or related subjects in higher education.

Many problems in the sciences, engineering, health care, business and other areas can be solved effectively with computers, but finding a solution requires both computer science expertise and knowledge of the particular application domain. Thus, computer scientists often become proficient in other subjects.

 Careers specific to Computer Science, to name a few:

• Software Engineering
• Data Analysis
• Cyber Security
• Database Management
• Systems Analysis
• Web Development
• Mobile Application Development

 skills gained

• Students will develop analytical skills
• Improve on problem solving and organizational skills
• Obtain a skill in a programming language used in the industry
• Develop computational thinking skills
• Increase creativity using technology
• Be able to think critically and efficiently