Computer Science

Examination Board OCR

Qualification level GCSE

Specification code J276

Overview GCSE Computer Science is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.

Curriculum 1 Computer systems

● Systems Architecture ● Memory ● Storage ● Wired and wireless networks ● Network topologies, protocols and layers ● System security ● System software ● Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns

2 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

● Algorithms ● Programming techniques ● Producing robust programs ● Computational logic ● Translators and facilities of languages ● Data representation ● Programming techniques ● Analysis and Design of programs ● Testing and evaluation of programs

Assessment

Unit

% of final assessment Type of assessment

Timing of assessment 1 50% Computer systems Summer Year 11 2 50% Computational thinking, algorithms and programming Summer Year 11

Do pupils need to study at GCSE for Sixth Form Level? There is currently no prerequisite of GCSE Computer Science to take A Level Computer Science. However, students taking the GCSE prior to the A Level will be at a slight advantage.

Pupil View “I have enjoyed the challenge that thinking computationally has given to the way I think about all problems I am set. Coding is great fun and the course enables me to experiment with a range of programming languages and to use these to tackle a wide range of problems. The subject has helped me to learn about how a computer works and I feel better able to understand ethical issues which arise in the news, such as the disposal of technology and computer crimes like hacking.”