HH Computing & IT Subject Desc

Electronics A Level

Computing & it

Computer Science A Level

Computer Science A Level

When do I start studying for this qualification?

September 2020.

For how long will I study?

For two years.

What is this course about?

Computer Science is the study of problem solving and computational thinking. Our modern world is dominated by technology, but computer scientists are more than just hi-tech consumers, they are the people who make it happen and shape our future. Students will learn practical programming skills, the mathematics behind how computers actually work and the theory that binds it all together. Students will be encouraged to think logically and to seek creative solutions to real world problems.

What topics will I study?

• Fundamentals of programming.

• Fundamentals of data structures.

• Fundamentals of algorithms.

• Theory of computation.

• 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.

• Fundamentals of functional programming.

• Systematic approach to problem solving.

• Non-exam assessment – the computing practical project

How will my work be assessed?

At the end of the second year students will take two exam papers and submit coursework.

Paper 1 - tests students’ ability to program, as well as theoretical knowledge of computer science. It is an on-screen exam; 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 40% of A Level.

Paper 2 - tests students’ ability to answer short and extended questions.

It is a written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 40% of A Level.

Non-exam assessment - assesses students’ ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. It is worth 20% of A Level.

What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

Technology evolves at breakneck speed, so to stay ahead students need both enthusiasm and curiosity, and to be capable of experimentation and innovation. There is opportunity, particularly with the project, to be creative and explore students’ own interests.

A successful student of Computer Science is a tenacious self-starter, prepared to research and investigate unique solutions to complex and diverse problems, in and out of the classroom and articulate these in an extended written format.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at 4-9, including grade 6 in Mathematics.

What are the lessons like?

A mixture of practical programming and underlying theory with a technical or mathematical bias. No prior coding experience is assumed, but students who have not previously studied Computer Science will be expected to initially attend subject support.

In lab sessions students’ progress is largely self-paced, with challenging extension work for those who benefit from it. Theory lessons utilise a variety of teaching methods, including whole class, group and pair work, and a range of traditional written material, interactive models and

multimedia resources.

What do students say about this course?

“I have enjoyed this course because there is a lot of practical work and we can use our programming projects to practice the theory topics. I particularly enjoyed the project work as this has allowed me to learn a new programming language and create a portfolio that has allowed me to stand out from the crowd when applying to university.”

“Although it can be very demanding this course has made me to step up to the challenge and I really enjoy the competitions that we can join in with. When I was finding it tough at the beginning, I knew that I could get extra help each week and I still use this to help with my exam practice.”

What have I got to do in order to do well?

Computer Science is both technically demanding and has a busy, packed syllabus. Students will need to be organised and dedicated to keep pace and a lot of work is expected in students’ own time. Students must be persistent when faced with challenging problems. Most of all students do well when they are excited by technology, keep up-todate with developments in the media and are inspired to learn something new every single lesson.

Is there a similar qualification to this

one? If so how do I choose between them?

CAMTECs are primarily assessed by external exams which are similar to the ICT GCSE with 25% course work.

CAMTEC Information Technology looks at other parts of the digital world such as Internet of Things, Global Information, Communication and employability skills for Information Technology.

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

Popular combinations may include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Electronics and Physics. Some students have also successfully combined this course with Graphic Communication or Psychology.

What do people do with A Level Computer Science?

There is a huge global demand for IT professionals, with rewarding salaries and excellent prospects and a huge range of opportunities for further studies at universities in the UK and overseas.

As a branch of science and mathematics, computer science dominates most sectors of society, so while many students become programmers and designers, others progress to a diverse range of fields including medicine, digital forensics, psychology and artificial intelligence, criminology and engineering.

Electronics A Level When do I start studying for this qualification?

September 2020.

For how long will I study?

Two years.

What is this course about?

Electronics drives advances in technology in medicine, space exploration, driver-less cars, telecommunications and renewable energies.

Are you keen to learn how electronics underpins our modern world? Are you interested in building and testing basic electronic circuits from fundamental principles? If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then Electronics AS/A Level could be for you.

What topics will I study?

Year 1: Semiconductor components, logic systems, operational amplifiers, Timing circuits, Sequential logic systems, microcontrollers and mains power supply systems. Extended system design and realisation tasks (20%) Coursework: Task 1 - develop a flowchart to run on a PIC microcontroller chip.

Task 2 - design, build, test and a digital electronic system.

Task 3 – design, build and test an analogue electronic system.

Year 2: Signal conversion, AC circuits and passive filters, Communication systems, Wireless transmission, Instrumentation systems, Digital communications, Optical communication, High power switching systems and Audio systems.

How will my work be assessed?

Principles of Electronics (40%) Written examination: 2 hours 45 minutes Application of Electronics (40%) Written examination: 2 hours 45 minutes Extended system design and realisation tasks (20%) Coursework: Task 1 - develop a program to run on a PIC microcontroller chip.

Task 2 - design, build, test and evaluate a complete electronic system.

What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course?

The specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in GCSE Science and Maths. You will need to be able to use

Mathematical skills (computation, algebra and graphs) and IT skills during the course and be interested in their application in the modern world.

What skills and good practice will I need to develop during the course to succeed?

Develop an interest in electronics and pursue this in further study in your own time, use appropriate methods to answer questions and solve problems analyse, interpret and communicate evidence and ideas.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You need a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C, including a grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths and two grade 5s in GCSE Science.

What are the lessons like?

Most of the theoretical work in electronics can be tested practically and lessons usually contain a mixture of theory and group practicals.

The project work in the first year is mainly ICT based. In the second year the major project is designed and developed on an individual basis with one-to-one advice and guidance given when needed.

1:1 support is available to all students.

What students say about this course?

“It goes really well with Maths and Physics.”

“I really enjoy the practical work.”

“It helps with Physics at A Level.”

Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them?

Electronics has a close relationship to Mathematics and Physics but most people take a combination of these subjects.

Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one?

See above. Some people combine Electronics with subjects other than Maths, Sciences and IT or Computer Science to broaden the range of skills they can offer in the future. For example a combination with Music could support later progression into Music Technology.

What do people do with A Level Electronics?

It is an excellent preparation for most physical science first degrees, particularly those in robotics, computing and engineering.

An electronic engineering degree can lead to the international job market with many vacancies throughout Europe.

Good electronics engineers are scarce and starting salaries often reflect this.

As there is a programming element to Electronics A Level it is a very useful entry qualification for a degree in computing.

For those not intending to take the subject to a higher level, an appreciation of the fundamental concepts of electronics is useful in careers such as the armed forces, aviation, computing and many technological industries.

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