Computer Science
Examination board specification: OCR
This exciting course has been designed for students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where knowledge of computer science would be beneficial. The emphasis is on computational and abstract thinking, general problem solving, algorithmic reasoning; Design, program and evaluate computer system that solve problems, make reasoned judgements about these and presenting conclusion; and understanding of the principles and concepts of computer science including analysing problems in computational, scientific and engineering based thinking which lays a good foundation for understanding ever increasing future challenges that face computer scientists.
What’s in the course?
This subject builds knowledge and skill both academically and practically in a way that is commensurate with GCE advanced level studies. A range of topics such as fundamentals of programming, computer organisation and architecture, theory of computation, communication and networking, databases and problem solving are covered in depth.
It is assessed 40% by on screen practical exam, 40% traditional exam and 20% is through non exam project work.
I have been accepted into University, and I am now on my way to being a Games Programmer. I will miss those computing lessons with all of us solving problems, I really enjoyed the lessons
I am studying cyber security at University, and I don’t think it would be a realistic option without the experience I’ve gained in Computing.
In most subjects you don’t normally get to practice for real what you learn in class, being able to code at a high level means you do and I found this very exciting and powerful.
Where it leads and what current Sixth Form students say about it?
In an increasingly digital world a growing majority of organisations and businesses rely more and more on staff with computing skills. It is not surprising therefore that computer science can open doors in a way that that many other subjects do not.
Studying computer science can lead towards specialism at University and, increasingly, apprentice placement in a whole range of areas such as Science, Maths, Engineering, Education and Business.
Degrees – for example:
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Computer Systems Engineering
Computer Games Design
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Computer Forensics
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Computer Science
Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learnt in the classroom to real-world systems. It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism.
The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:
An understanding and 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 to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of Computer Science
The course is made up of three components:
Component 01: Computer systems (40% of the marks)
This covers:
The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
Data exchange between different systems
Data types, data structures and algorithms
Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.
Component 02: Algorithms and programming (40% of the marks)
This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving and covers:
What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)
Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems
Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems.
Component 03: Programming project (20% of the marks)
This component gives the students the opportunity to independently choose a problem to solve and go through the full development process to create a solution in a suitable programming language. Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking and analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document the resulting program.
Potential destinations after A Level Computer Science:
Degrees – for example:
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Computer Systems Engineering
Computer Games Design
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Computer Forensics