Computer Science

The next decade will be the most exciting and significant of times for anyone involved in studying Computer Science. Computer Science is a relatively young subject, with many great problem solving challenges. Today, it stands at the crossroads of a revolution in thinking as technologies evolve and become part of our everyday lives. As part of the course, you will learn the fundamentals of programming, the theory of computation, data representation, computer architecture, data communication and networking. In the second year, you will have the opportunity to create a project for a real user.

You will develop more generic skills including the ability to research and extract relevant information, revision techniques, team work and ability to present information concisely and coherently to different target audiences.

More specialist skills you will develop include applying software engineering process, solving problems using computer algorithms, computational thinking and the fundamentals of data communications and networking.

Component 1 – Examination: Computer Systems (2 hours, 30 minutes – 40%)

• Characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices • Software and software development
• Exchanging data
• Data types, data structures and algorithms
• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

Component 2 – Examination: Paper 2 [Written] (2 hours, 30 minutes – 40%)

• Elements of computational thinking
• Problem solving and programming
• Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

Component 3 – Programming Project: Non-Examined Assessment (20%)

• Analysis, design, development and evaluation

This specification has been designed for students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where knowledge of Computing would be beneficial. In particular, having built up a range of specialist skills and knowledge, students are better prepared to enter the lucrative world of software engineering. Students may also choose to go on to a career in Medicine, Law, Business, Politics or any type of Science.