Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

You will need to have a keen interest in problem-solving, an ability in mathematics and a fair amount of resilience to learn computer programming in Java as well as the study of the theoretical aspects of computer science. Computer science will help you develop: - An understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation - The ability to analyse problems in computational terms, solving problems through practical experience and writing programs to do so - The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically - The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science - Mathematical skills. In Year 12, you learn about the fundamentals of the computer itself, studying binary notation, data representation, and logical operators with logic circuits and storage, before looking at how processors work. You are also introduced to programming techniques and prepared to begin the non-examined assessment (NEA) which comprises 20 percent of the final A-Level grade. Year 13 will see you continuing to develop your NEA project to completion as well as honing your skills with teamwork, presentation and debates as we recap on the theory content of the course to prepare for the final exams (worth 80 percent of the final A-Level mark).