Computing Science
Progression Pathways
The diagram below shows the progression pathways in this subject area.
Course Expectations
All course materials are made available via Google Drive and Google Classroom throughout the course. Students will be expected to engage with regular home study and complete all homework tasks to achieve success in Computing. Due to assessed practical work, good attendance is also essential.
Due to numeracy/literacy requirements in Computing Science, students should be working at or recommended for a similar level in English/Maths as their Computing course. For example, for Nat 5 Computing Science, you should also be working towards or be recommended for National 5 English and Maths.
SCQF Level 4/5/6
SUBJECT: NPA 4/5 Computer Games Development
Recommended Previous Experience: Students should have studied S3 Computing Science, S3 School of Mobile App Development or N4 Computing Science and preferably be working towards SCQF level 4/5 or Nat4/5 in Maths and English.
Please note that this course is about games development and will not involve game playing.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This is course is for pupils who have an interest in computer games design and development and who want to develop their knowledge of game design while developing their skills in software development. This course builds a foundation towards studying National 5 Computing Science but can also be taken alongside the National 5 course.
The course has the following three units:
1. Computer Games: Design
2. Computer Games: Media Assets
3. Computer Games: Development
Computer Games: Design
The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of underlying concepts and fundamental principles involves in computer game planning and design. Students will look at computer game genres and platforms, writing proposals for games, receiving and acting on feedback on proposals, elements of game design and designing and planning computer games.
Computer Games: Media Assets
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the different types of media assets required for developing a computer game. Students will develop the knowledge and skills that will allow them to identify a range of legitimate methods for acquiring media asserts and learn how to plan and produce media assets for use in a game development environment.
Computer Games: Development
The aim of this unit is to allow students to gain knowledge and acquire skills in developing a computer game using a game development tool or coding. Students will be able to implement the design for a working computer game and evaluate the effectiveness of the final solution.
Course Assessment
This course is assessed internally only via unit assessments which include practical assessments. There is no final SQA exam.
SUBJECT: NPA 4/5/6 Data Science
Recommended Previous Experience: Students should have studied S3 Computing Science or N4 Computing Science and preferably be working towards SCQF level 4/5/6 or Nat4/5/6 in Maths and English.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills in data science and increases the awareness of the discipline among learners and will provide practical skills in data analysis. It will also raise awareness of the societal aspects of this important emerging technology.
The course has the following two mandatory units:
1. Data Citizenship
2. Data Science
There is a third optional unit which will be Computer Programming, Statistics or a Data Science Project.
Data Citizenship
The purpose of this unit is to provide an overview on the place of data in society, how data can be used and misused, and the steps we can take to understand and use data responsibly. Students will become responsible, data literate citizens who participate in the decisions that affect people and society.
Data Science
The purpose of this unit is to introduce learners to data science in today's works. This unit focuses on the tools and techniques involved in data science, the main methods of data analysis and provides users with an opportunity to apply this knowledge is a practical context. This unit is very flexible and we may use Microsoft Excel or Python to complete the practical elements of the course.
Course Assessment
This course is assessed internally only via unit assessments which include practical assessments. There is no final SQA exam.
SCQF Level 5
SUBJECT: National 5 Computing Science
Recommended Previous Experience: Students should have studied S3 Computing Science, N4 Computing Science or the NPA in Data Science or Computer Games Development and preferably be working towards SCQF level 5 or Nat 5 in Maths and English.
About The Course
This course is for pupils who wants to specialise their study of computing science beyond the broad general education. This course builds a foundation towards studying a Higher qualification in future years while providing opportunities to enhance skills in planning and organising, working independently and in teams, critical thinking and decision making, research, communication and self- and peer-evaluation. The course has a large emphasis on computer programming and will look at Python, SQL, HTML and CSS programming languages.
The course has the following four units:
1. Software Design and Development
2. Database Design and Development
3. Web Design and Development
4. Computer Systems
Software Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the Python programming language. Students will develop their programming and computational thinking skills by implementing practical solutions and explaining how these programs work.
Database Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical problems-solving skills in database design and development using the SQL programming language.
Web Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming languages.
Computer Systems
Students will learn how data and instructions are stored in binary form and basic computer architecture. Students will also gain awareness of the environmental impact of the energy use of computing systems and security precautions that can be taken to protect computer systems.
Course Assessment
Internal Course Assessment
There is a unit assessment for Software Design and Development which can be used for a unit award. This is not required to sit the final exam, however, students can be given a credit for this as a separate unit pass. The unit test and one practical task must be passed in order to be credited with the unit.
External Course Assessment
Practical assignment covering Software Design and Development, Database Design and Development and Web Design and Development. This is worth 50 marks, which is worth 31% of the overall mark.
One examination paper of 90 minutes worth 110 marks, which is worth 69% of the overall mark.
SCQF Level 6
SUBJECT: Higher Computing Science
Recommended Previous Experience: Students should have ideally already achieved a level A or level B pass at National 5 level in Computing Science. Ideally a pass at National 5 Maths and English and preferably working towards Higher level would also be beneficial.
About the Course
This course is suitable for students interested in exploring the role and impact if contemporary computing technologies. It aims to provide an insight into the challenge, excitement and rewards found in these areas and to build awareness of the importance of computing meeting our needs today and for the future. This course builds on the software development skills from National 5 in Python, SQL, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
The course has the following four units:
1. Software Design and Development
2. Database Design and Development
3. Web Design and Development
4. Computer Systems
Software Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the Python programming language. Students will develop modular programming and computational thinking skills and use their knowledge of advanced data types and constructs to create efficient programs to solve advanced problems.
Database Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and advanced practical problems-solving skills in database design and development using the SQL programming language. They will do this through a range of practical tasks, using a minimum of three linked tables and implemented in SQL.
Web Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming languages.
Computer Systems
Students will learn how data and instructions are stored in binary form and factors affecting system performance. They will gain an awareness of the environmental impact of intelligent systems, as well as the security risks, precautions and laws that can protect computer systems.
Course Assessment
Internal Course Assessment
There is a unit assessment for Software Design and Development which can be used for a unit award. This is not required to sit the final exam, however, students can be given a credit for this as a separate unit pass. The unit test and one practical task must be passed in order to be credited with the unit.
External Course Assessment
Practical assignment covering Software Design and Development, Database Design and Development and Web Design and Development. This is worth 50 marks, which is worth 31% of the overall mark.
One examination paper of 2 hours, worth 110 marks, which is worth 69% of the overall mark.
Foundation Apprenticeship: IT Software Development
The Foundation Apprenticeship in IT - Software Development will develop the skills and knowledge required to write computer software, enabling users to perform different tasks across computer systems and devices. These could include games, business systems, mobile apps and websites.
Virtually every profession and industry requires creative and talented individuals with a strong set of problem solving and digital skills.
Pupils will study the following:
Application development
Website authoring
Software design and development
Personal effectiveness
Health and safety in IT and telecom
Investigating and defining customer requirements for IT and telecoms systems
Data modelling
Work placement
Pupils will also study:
Event driven programming
Procedural programming or,
Object-oriented programming.
For further information on this framework, please visit:
https://www.apprenticeships.scot/foundation-apprenticeships/it-software-development/individual
Entry requirements: Students who have achieved/on track to achieve a Level 5 in a Computing Science related subject, a pass in Higher Maths, and a Higher in one other subject. Each pupil will be required to attend an interview. We are happy to consider students who do not meet the entry requirements but are interested in the course.
SCQF Level 7
SUBJECT: Advanced Higher Computing Science
Recommended Previous Experience: Students should have already achieved a level A or level B pass at Higher level in Computing Science and ideally a pass at Higher Maths and English.
About the Course
This course is suitable for students interested in exploring the role and impact of contemporary computing technologies. It provides a pathway for students who would like to deepen subject knowledge and who have an interest in Computing Science beyond school level.
The course has the following three units:
1. Software Design and Development
2. Database Design and Development
3. Web Design and Development
Software Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of advanced practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the Python programming language. Students will develop object-oriented programming and computational thinking skills while using their knowledge of data types and constructs to create efficient programs to solve advanced problems.
Database Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and advanced practical problems-solving skills in database design and development using SQL to create and query relational databases.
Web Design and Development
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical problems-solving skills in software design and development using the HTML, CSS and PHP programming languages.
Course Assessment
Internal Course Assessment
There is a unit assessment for Software Design and Development and Database Design and Development which can be used for a unit award. These are not required to sit the final exam, however, students can be given a credit for them as separate unit passes. A unit test and one practical task must be passed in order to be credited with each unit.
External Course Assessment
Practical project covering Software Design and Development, Database Design and Development and Web Design and Development. This is worth 80 marks, which is worth 50% of the overall mark. The project is an open brief and students are able to choose the topic for their project in discussion with their teacher.
One examination paper of 2 hours worth 80 marks, which is worth 50% of the overall mark.
