Computing Science - Higher

Vale of Leven Academy

The course has four areas of study:

Software design and development

Candidates develop knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and practical problem-solving skills in software design and development. They do this by using appropriate modular software development environments. Candidates develop modular programming and computational-thinking skills by analysing, designing, implementing, testing, and evaluating practical solutions and explaining how these programs work. They use their knowledge of data types and constructs to create efficient programs to solve advanced problems.

Computer systems

Candidates develop their understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and factors affecting system performance. They gain an awareness of the environmental impact of intelligent systems, as well as the security risks, precautions and laws that can protect computer systems.

Database design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and advanced practical problem-solving skills in database design and development. They do this through a range of practical tasks, using a minimum of three linked tables and implemented in SQL. Candidates apply computational thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools. Candidates apply interpretation skills to tasks involving some complex features in both familiar and new contexts.

Web design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and advanced practical problem-solving skills in web design and development. They do this through a range of practical and investigative tasks. Candidates apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools including HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript. Candidates apply interpretation skills to tasks involving some complex features in both familiar and new contexts.

Question paper 110 marks

The question paper has a total mark allocation of 110 marks. This is 69% of the overall marks for the course assessment.

Marks are distributed across all four areas of study:

• software design and development approximately 40%
• computer systems approximately 10%
• database design and development approximately 25%
• web design and development approximately 25%

The question paper has two sections

Section 1 is worth 25 marks and consists of short-answer, restricted-response questions from across all four areas of the course.

Section 2 is worth 85 marks and consists of structured, restricted-response and extended-response questions from across all four areas of the course.

Candidates have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the question paper.

Assignment 50 marks

The assignment gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to:

• apply aspects of computational thinking across a range of contexts
• analyse problems within computing science across a range of contemporary contexts
• design, implement, test and evaluate digital solutions (including computer programs) to problems across a range of contemporary contexts
• demonstrate skills in computer programming
• apply computing science concepts and techniques to create solutions across a range of contexts

The assignment has a total mark allocation of 50 marks. This is 31% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The assignment has three distinct tasks, with marks distributed across the following areas of study:

• software design and development 25 marks
• database design and development 10–15 marks
• web design and development 10–15 marks

The assignment is set on an annual basis and is conducted under open book conditions. It is marked externally by the SQA. The assignment must be carried out within 8 hours.