Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

We are following the OCR specification at the moment as it follows directly from the GCSE course we have been teaching. You will study a broad range of topics which are broadly split into Computing Principles and Computer Systems, Algorithms, Programming, and Problem-Solving. You will have to complete a project as well as two examinations. Computing Principles and Computer Systems include operating systems, introduction to programming, data types, data representation, and data structures, algorithms, exchanging data and web technologies, using Boolean algebra, legal, moral, and ethical issues, software and its development, types of programming languages, Algorithms and Problem Solving require you to demonstrate how computational thinking, programming techniques, pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition, software development methodologies, and algorithm design and efficiency can be used to solve problems. Teaching is based on lectures, practical programming tasks, discussions, and exercises to consolidate your knowledge. Students will be using a mix of online and paper-based resources and access to a computer must be available at home. The computer does not need to have a high specification.