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Computer Science
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Students will study the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and types of programming languages; data types, representation and structures; exchanging data and web technologies; how to develop and follow algorithms; the use of Boolean algebra. They will also consider legal, moral and ethical issues.
Throughout the course they will develop computational thinking skills including programming and problem solving; problem recognition, abstraction and decomposition; algorithm design and efficiency and standard algorithms.
A TWO YEAR A LEVEL COURSE, EXAMINED AT THE END OF YEAR 13.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO BEFORE TAKING COMPUTER SCIENCE IN THE SIXTH FORM?
Computer Science is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement and allows students to look at the natural world through a digital prism. The course has been designed in consultation with leading universities and Industry experts for students who wish to go on to Higher Education courses or employment where a knowledge of Computer Science is beneficial. Students can study Computer Science and go on to a career in Medicine, Law, Business, Politics or any type of Science.
You do not have to have previous experience of Computer Science, but there is a mathematical component to this course so, ideally, you should be expecting to gain a minimum of a grade 7 in GCSE mathematics or a 7 in GCSE Computer Science or an equivalent Computing qualification. There is a significant amount of computer programming in this course so a systematic approach and an eye for detail is necessary.
• students with a strong interest in computing and related disciplines
• students who enjoy solving problems
• students with a natural curiosity about the way modern technology works
• students who are considering careers in computing, engineering or mathematical disciplines
• students with creative flair; the A Level projects can be computer games or simulations
• students who enjoy solving problems for others and are confident communicators
WHAT EXAMINATIONS WILL I HAVE TO TAKE TO GAIN MY QUALIFICATION?
The qualification consists of two examined components (01 and 02), externally assessed by the OCR examination board and one internally assessed and moderated non exam assessment component (03).
COMPONENT ONE 40% of A Level
a) Components of a computer and their uses
b) Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
c) How data is exchanged between different systems
d) How data is represented and stored within different data structures
e) Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
Questions may contain, for example, following and correcting algorithms and programs, software development and legal and moral issues.
Written examination - 2 hours 30 minutes.
COMPONENT TWO 40% of A Level
a) Understands what is meant by computational thinking
b) How computers can be used to solve problems and programs can be written to solve them
c) The use of algorithms to describe problems and standard algorithms
Section A will contain questions which may cover writing algorithms and computational methods, programming and programming techniques and problem solving. These questions may contain some shorter answer questions.
Section B will have a scenario set at the start of the section; this will contain information that will be used for the questions that follow. The questions will be largely of a higher tariff with problem solving algorithms and programming again forming the basis.
Written examination – 2 hours 30 minutes.
COMPONENT THREE (PROJECT) 20% of A Level Non-exam assessment
The programming project will be submitted in the form of a report that will contain the solution to a problem, selected by the student, written in a suitable programming language.
WHAT COULD I GO ON TO DO AT THE END OF MY COURSE?
This course has been designed to meet entry requirements for Computer Science based degrees. There is currently a significant shortage of Computer Science graduates and, as computing / information systems are now a fundamental part of most organisations, the opportunities are almost endless.
However, Computer Science graduates do not necessarily go on to just computerbased careers. The problem-solving approach developed through the study of computer science is valued in many career paths, such as marketing, finance, health and other engineering and science disciplines.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFICATIONS
OCR provides specimen examination papers which we recommend you investigate.
