COMPUTER SCIENCE
(OCR)
MR G EDGELL
A TWO YEAR A LEVEL COURSE, EXAMINED AT THE END OF YEAR 13.
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.
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.
14 / Sixth Form Academic Programme 2021-2023
