Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

Computing is part of everything we do from the cars we drive, to the movies we watch, to the ways businesses and governments deal with us. Understanding different dimensions of computing is part of the necessary skill set for an educated person in the 21st century. Whether you want to be a scientist, develop the latest killer application, or just know what it really means when someone says “the computer made a mistake”, studying computing will provide you with valuable knowledge. You will be able to solve complex, challenging problems and make a positive difference in the world because computing drives innovation in the sciences (human genome project, AIDS vaccine research, environmental monitoring and protection), and also in engineering, business, entertainment and education. YEAR 12 COURSE SPECIFICATION Unit 1: Computing principles * The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices * Software and software development * Programming * Exchanging data * Data types, data structures and algorithms * Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues Unit 2: Algorithms and problem solving * Elements of computational thinking * Problem solving and programming * Algorithms YEAR 13 COURSE SPECIFICATION The topics are similar but are covered in more depth. There is also a programming element which is part of the assessment. Advanced computing theory * The function of operating systems * The function and purpose of translators * Computer architectures * Data representation * Data structures and data manipulation * High-level language programming paradigms * Programming techniques * Low-level languages * Databases Unit 4: Coursework involving programming * Definition, investigation and analysis * Design * Software development` and testing * Documentation * Evaluation