Computer Science

Course summary

This course encourages students to develop a broad range of the knowledge, understanding and skills of computing. A significant part of computer science involves programming to an advanced level, although no previous programming is required. A Level Computer Science encourages students to develop: • An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation • The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so • The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically • The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science • Mathematical skills related to Boolean algebra, comparison and complexity of algorithms and number representations and bases • The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology. Assessment is via 1 computer based practical (2 hours 30 minutes) exam and 1 written exam (2 hours 30 minutes and an extensive computing projectThis course encourages students to develop a broad range of the knowledge, understanding and skills of computing. A significant part of computer science involves programming to an advanced level, although no previous programming is required. A Level Computer Science encourages students to develop: • An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation • The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so • The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically • The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science • Mathematical skills related to Boolean algebra, comparison and complexity of algorithms and number representations and bases • The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology. Assessment is via 1 computer based practical (2 hours 30 minutes) exam and 1 written exam (2 hours 30 minutes and an extensive computing project