Computer Science

Course summary

Course Content: Component 01: Computer Systems (2½ hours – 40%) Students are introduced to the internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues. The resulting knowledge and understanding will underpin their work in component 03. It covers 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 & Programming (2½ hours – 40%) This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving. It covers what is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally); 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%) Students are expected to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding programming project. They will analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science. We support a wide and diverse range of languages. Why choose this course? • The most important aspect of computer science is problem solving, an essential skill for life • Computing is part of everything we do • Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems • Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world • Computing offers many types of lucrative careers • Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are located • Expertise in computing helps even if your primary career is something else • Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness • Computing has space for both collaborative work and individual effort • Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic preparation • Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries