Computer Science A-Level Edexcel
Course entry requirements: GCSE Computer Science would be an advantage but not essential – if studied a minimum of grade 6 is needed. Good communication & analytical skills. An interest in computer programming and problem solving.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE:
There is an up-to-date specification that focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills students need to progress to higher education or thrive in the workplace. Examinations include a variety of assessment styles so that students feel more confident and able to engage with the questions. Assessment of non-exam assessment (NEA) is straightforward and designed to encourage students to do an investigative project on a topic of particular interest to them. An interest in programming with any of the following is essential – C#; Java; Pascal/Delphi; Python; VB.Net.
You can expect to:
- Engage in problem solving, write and use algorithms.
- Learn to write and test programs in high level language, assembly code and functional code..
- Learn about hardware and software, networks and the Internet.
- Understand the ways in which data is represented in a computer system.
- Understand the ethical and legal constraints when using computer systems.
- Use relational databases.
- Understand the system development lifecycle and the needs of a real end-user.
COURSE DETAILS AND ASSESSMENT INFORMATION:
Paper 1
On-screen exam: 2 hours 45 minute, 40% of A-level. Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document provided by the exam board.
Paper 2
This paper tests a student’s ability to answer short-answer and extended-answer questions from subject content in a written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level.
Non-exam assessment
The non-exam assessment assesses student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving. 75 marks, 20% of A-level.
WHERE CAN THIS COURSE TAKE ME?
Access to the IT industry. Careers related to mathematics, statistics, sciences, analytics, product development, or anything else which requires analytical problem solving skills. University/Higher Education
I CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION BY
Useful Websites
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m9ry
http://www.codecademy.com/
http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/