A-LEVEL

The emphasis of this course is on abstract thinking, general problem-solving and algorithmic and mathematical reasoning. The course develops students’ computational problem-solving ability. Students will also develop a range of skills, including high and low-level programming languages, network topologies, communication and Boolean algebra.

Subject requirements:

GCSE 6 in Maths and GCSE 7 in Computer Science (if studied), or GCSE 7 in Maths.

Teacher to contact/Area Coordinator - Mr M Laight

Course Content:

The course covers the following aspects of Computer Science:

1. Fundamentals of programming
2. Fundamentals of data structures
3. Fundamentals of algorithms
4. Theory of computation
5. Fundamentals of data representation
6. Fundamentals of computer system
7. Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
8. Consequences of uses of computing
9. Fundamentals of communication and networking
10. Fundamentals of databases
11. Big Data
12. Fundamentals of functional programming
13. Systematic approach to problem solving

Assessment Criteria

Paper 1: A 2-hour 30 minutes exam, covering topics 1–4 above (40% of A-Level)
Paper 2: A 2-hour 30 minutes exam, covering topics 5–13 above (40% of A-Level)
Coursework – A practical programming project of own choosing (20% of A-Level)

Exam Board: AQA Course Code: 7517

Are you interested in:

• Computer programming?
• How the Internet works?
• Solving problems?
• Whether or not a problem can be solved?
•  Mathematical thinking?

Leading to a career in:

• Science
• Engineering
• Software Development
• Information Technology
• Computing

This subject goes well with:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Economics

Click below to learn about the course from Computer Science student, Naomi.