Computing Science

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.

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.

About The Course

Computing changes quickly as technology evolves but the core knowledge and concepts are more stable.  In this course, students will understand the basic principles of computer systems so that they can apply that knowledge to new technologies as they arise.

The optional units will allow learners to learn more about a wide range of options.

The course has the following four units:

1.   Computing Foundations

2.   Computer Project

3.   Computer Programming

4.   Data Science

Computing Foundations

Students will be provided with a broad overview of fundamental computing concepts, with a focus on essential knowledge and understanding required as a foundation for further study.  Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of computer architecture, logical operators, data storage, software, networking, data science and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.

Computing Project

Students will apply their knowledge and skills in a practical context and develop the range of skills required to be an effective member of a team.  Students will produce a solution to a given project brief which will require learners to solve a routine problem using computing technology.  Students will analyse the brief before planning, designing, implementing and testing a solution.  Students will document their progress and reflect on the development of their skills.

Computer Programming

Students will develop their programming skills and knowledge of the principles of computer programming.  Learners will gain a range of practical skills in the Python programming language and learn how to write code, appreciate programming concepts and techniques and develop their computational thinking skills.

Data Science

Students will be introduced to data science in today's world.  This unit focuses on the tools and techniques involved in data science, the main methods of data analysis, and provides an opportunity for students to apply this knowledge in a practical context.

Course Assessment

Internal Course Assessment

This course is assessed internally only via unit assessments which include practical assessments.  There is no final SQA exam.

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.

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.

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.