Computer Science

Back

Is this course for me?

If you enjoy problem solving and programming then you will certainly enjoy this course.

The focus of much of the work you will do is on computational thinking; tackling complex problems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts in order to develop efficient solutions. There is also a significant amount of mathematical content in the course so if you enjoy mathematical problems then again the course will suit you.

Computer Science also allows you to demonstrate your creativity; the development of problem solving and programming skills will allow you to create and program solutions in a variety of ways.

The Basics…

  • Our exam board is OCR
  • The course is a mix of exam assessment and internally assessed coursework
  • You will be required to do a significant amount of work for the programming project independently
  • You need to have completed a GCSE in Computer Science

What will I learn?

  • Computing Principles – covering the characteristics of contemporary computer systems and their applications (40% assessed via exam at the end of year 13)
  • Algorithms and problem solving – covering all elements of computational thinking, problem solving and programming (40% assessed via exam at the end of year 13)
  • Programming Project – students choose their own problem to solve and follow the systems development life cycle to demonstrate their problem solving and programming skills (20% coursework)

Anything else I need to know?

You will need experience of programming although it does not matter which language this is in. You will also need to be resilient and be prepared to learn from your mistakes. When problem solving and programming the best solution to a problem is rarely the first one you develop.

Future careers:

Computer Science is a highly regarded qualification and as such Computer Scientists are highly sought after by employers. The problem solving skills you will develop are also relevant to a wide variety of industries and careers. Careers directly related to the subject include: 

  • Software Development
  • Systems Analyst
  • Network Administration
  • Web Development
  • Game Design.

Year 12 Computer Science Course Information

Year 13 Computer Science Course Information