Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

Computer Science is a practical and rewarding subject to study at A Level, preparing learners to employ creative problem-solving techniques to real-world systems and situations. Organizational, analytical and programming skills developed throughout the course, together with a sound understanding of computer systems theory, are highly valued by universities and employers alike. Every aspect of our lives is affected in some way by technology and future computer scientists will hold the key to unlocking its potential to help solve some of the world’s most important challenges. Whether you are concerned about climate change, biodiversity, food security, healthcare or any number of other pressing global issues, governments and large corporations are already spending billions of pounds on computer science projects to better understand what is happening and find innovative solutions. Features of the Course The course will provide an understanding and the ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science: including abstraction, decomposition, computational logic, algorithms and data representation. Students will learn to analyse complex problems through practical experience, including designing algorithms, planning projects and writing programs whilst developing their capacity to think creatively, logically and analytically. Factors affecting the operation, performance and security of modern hardware, software and networks are explored alongside important global trends such as cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence. In addition, learners will explore the relationships between different aspects of computer science and its impact on wider legal, moral, cultural, ethical and privacy issues in a world that is becoming increasingly reliant upon technology. Key topics studied Characteristics of modern computer hardware and software, legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues and computational thinking, problem-solving, algorithms and programming. Data exchange between different systems and the different methodologies used to develop software. Independent programming project (non-examined assessment).