Course Content

Computer Systems: Processors, input output and storage devices, software developments, exchanging data, data structures and algorithms, legal and moral issues.

Algorithms and Programming: Computational thinking, problem solving and programming algorithms to solve problems.

Programming Project: Analysis, design, development and evaluation of a computer program.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:

• an understanding of and 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 through practical experience of solving such problems including 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

• the ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.

Assessment

2 Examinations: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% each)

1 Programming Project (20%)