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Computer Science Board: OCR Specification: J277
Important information
Why study GCSE Computer Science?
Computer Science allows students to develop a practical understanding of how computer systems work, as well as giving them the ability to create a wide variety of software in a written programming language. This mixture of the theoretical and practical allows students to develop numerous skills. Chief amongst these is the ability to solve complex problems by taking the requirements of a task, breaking it down into its components and developing a solution. This highly prized skill is often viewed as a weakness amongst graduates and is something at which computer scientists excel. With its technical and scientific requirements, Computer Science complements similar subjects such as Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry well.
Students will learn how to program using Visual Basic at GCSE. This language allows them to easily get to grips with all the theory work covered during the course and provides an excellent starting point for learning further languages such as C# and JavaScript at A Level.
Entry requirements
Students will learn how to program using Visual Basic at GCSE. This language allows them to easily get to grips with all the theory work covered during the course and provides an excellent starting point for learning further languages such as C# and JavaScript at A Level.
Course Overview and Content
Component 1 – Computer Systems (1.5hr exam, 50% of GCSE grade)
Covering the physical elements of Computer Science including: Systems architecture Memory and storage Computer networks Network security System software Ethical, social, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of technology
Covering the computational principles that underlying coding solution including:
Students will also be given the opportunity to undertake a variety of practical programming tasks, the skills gained during which will be examined in Component 2.
Some students will go on to study Computer Science at A Level and beyond, embarking in a wide variety of careers ranging from software and games development to artificial intelligence to cyber security. Some will combine their abilities in Computer Science with other subjects they enjoy, for example in helping develop programs for gene research projects or mathematical models for economics. For others, simply having a deep understanding of how computer systems work is vital, especially as such systems become more and more embedded in both our home and work lives.
Algorithms Programming techniques Programming robust programs Boolean logic Programming Languages
Enrichment
Students will be given the opportunity to take part in the Bebras computational thinking competition and may proceed onto the Oxford Computer Science Challenge depending on their progress. They will also have access to several different programming competitions throughout their two-year course.
