Higher

Computing Science

DURATION

1 Year / 240 Hours

COURSEWORK

Assignment 32% of course award

EXAM

Question Paper: 68% of full course award

COST

No cost

What will you learn?

The Course enables learners to develop an extended range of computing and computational thinking skills, including skills in analysis and problem-solving, design and modelling, developing, implementing, testing and evaluating digital solutions across a range of contemporary contexts.

Units of Study for Higher include:

Computer Systems
Software Design and Development
Web Design and Development
Database Design and Development

Within Higher pupils have to further extend skills by working at a fast pace, using more complex coding structures and creating more complex solutions to problems.

Why do this course?

There will be a wide range of skill development starting with practical skill development and progressing to computational thinking skills of abstraction, decomposition, tinkering, debugging and problem solving.

What will you experience?

Pupils will be involved in the completion of both theory and practical based tasks. They will be creating digital solutions to real-world problems. Teaching strategies will include direct teaching through demonstration, on-line video and other digital resources.

Key Facts

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

Homework

Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs. Activities set may include practice of a practical skill, preparation for assessment or research for an assignment.

Assessment

Knowledge and practical skills will be assessed in different ways, depending on the unit being studied; this will include portfolio work, class tests (theory and practical). Pupils will use assessment to set achievable short term targets. Practical assessment is worth 32% of full course award which is an assignment set by the SQA. Written external exam set by SQA worth final 68% covers course knowledge

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, E&ICT However, as a guide:

Pass (A-D) at National 5 Computing Science

*Please note that a high level of numeracy is required to be successful with Higher Computing Science

*Candidates with no prior experience with Computing Science are required to discuss direct entry to Higher, with decision based on success in numerate subject areas (e.g maths, sciences).

Progression and Employment

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

Progression

Advanced Higher Computing Science

College/ University/ Modern Apprenticeship

Employment

This course is suitable for all learners who are interested in becoming a:    

Web Developer
Software Engineer
Database Administrator
Games Developer
Network Manager
Forensic Computer Analyst

Learner Experiences

Ryan's Experience

Within the computing course I have been taught how to problem solve around a clients specifications and how to actually apply my skills in a workplace this has huge practical applications within a workplace.

Computing can be an incredibly fun class when it comes to implementation which is a huge part of the course it allows you to express yourself and code a website of your own design. Through this I have gained huge insights into how websites work.

Conlan's Experience

So far in Higher I have expanded the skills I learned in N5 in Computer Systems, Software Design Development and Web Design Development.

In class, we are good at supporting each other with any problems with code or any questions we might have.

Problem solving is another thing that has improved since I started this course, knowing what to do or where to go to find the solution to a problem I might have.

Throughout the course we do work on analysing user requirements to decide how the website or program should work and evaluating different programs and websites to see if the task has been completed and the website or program is fit for purpose.

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