Computer Science Why choose Computer Science? Studying Computer Science will give you the opportunity to think creatively, logically and critically, giving you an understanding of computer systems and the ability to apply your knowledge and skills to solve problems. A large part of Computer Science involves writing computer programs and a good proportion of our lesson time is spent programming. For exam purposes we will use C#, but over the two years other languages are also used, and for the project at the end of Year 13 any language may be used.
AQA A-level The A Level Computer Science course is examined at the end of Year 13 through an on-screen exam (40%), a written exam (40%), both lasting 2 hours 30 minutes, and a computing project of your choosing (20%). In Paper 1, an on-screen exam, you will answer a series of short questions and write, adapt and extend programs. You will be issued Preliminary Material, a Skeleton Program and possibly a file of test data for use in the exam about six weeks before the exam. The topics covered are: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fundamentals of programming Fundamentals of data structures Software development Theory of computation
The Paper 2 exam covers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Fundamentals of data representation Fundamentals of computer systems Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture Consequences of uses of computing Fundamentals of communication and networking Fundamentals of databases Big Data Fundaments of functional programming
Entry requirements Most students on the course will have completed GCSE Computer Science, and while this is not an entry requirement, if you have not studied Computer Science at GCSE you should possess very good background knowledge and also have some experience of computer programming. If you have studied Computer Science at GCSE then you should have obtained a minimum of a B grade.