Computer Science

Computer Science

Board OCR Specification J276

Computer Science allows students to develop a practical understanding of how computers systems work, as well as giving them the ability to create a wide variety of software in a written programming language. This mixture of the theoretical and practical allows students to develop numerous skills. Chief amongst these is the ability to solve complex problems by taking the requirements of a task, breaking it down into its components and developing a solution. This highly prized skill is often viewed as a weakness amongst graduates and is something at which computer scientists excel. With its technical and scientific requirements, Computer Science complements similar subjects such as Maths and Physics well.

Course Content

Component 1 – Computer Systems (1.5hr exam, 50% of GCSE grade)

Covering the physical elements of Computer Science including: • Systems architecture • Memory and storage • Computer networks • Network security • System software • Ethical, social, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of technology

Component 2 – Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (1.5hr exam, 50% of GCSE grade)

Covering the computational principles that underlying coding solution including: • Algorithms • Programming techniques • Programming robust programs • Boolean logic • Programming Languages

Students will also be given the opportunity to undertake a variety of practical programming tasks, the skills gained during which will be examined in Component 2.

Entry Requirement

Students should feel confident that they can take the practical skills they have begun to learn in Year 9 and develop them further. They should have an interest in computers, science and technology and be keen to learn more about how they work.

What’s next?

Some students will go on to study Computer Science at A-Level and beyond, embarking in a wide variety of careers ranging from software and games development to artificial intelligence to cyber security. Some will combine their abilities in Computer Science with other subjects they enjoy, for example in helping develop programs for gene research projects or mathematical models for economics. For others, simply having a deep understanding of how computer systems work is vital, especially as such systems become more and more embedded in both our home and work lives.