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A Level Computer Science sets out to challenge students in a range of disciplines relating to the functioning of a computer and the wider technology industry. Students will learn key computational thinking concepts along with wide ranging knowledge about the historical development of the modern computer as well as wider industry trends that allow them to forecast what the next big thing might be. Although no prior knowledge is essential for this course, an interest in technology is hugely advantageous as applying firm academic theory to the real world is a key theme running throughout the two years of study.
A Level Computer Science sets out to challenge students in a range of disciplines relating to the functioning of a computer and the wider technology industry. Students will learn key computational thinking concepts along with wide ranging knowledge about the historical development of the modern computer as well as wider industry trends that allow them to forecast what the next big thing might be. Although no prior knowledge is essential for this course, an interest in technology is hugely advantageous as applying firm academic theory to the real world is a key theme running throughout the two years of study.
Specification
Specification
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Past Papers
Past Papers
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Course Content
Course Content
1 - Computer Systems
1 - Computer Systems
This component will be a traditionally marked and structured question paper with a mix of question types: short-answer, longer-answer, and levels of response mark-scheme-type questions. It will cover the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:
This component will be a traditionally marked and structured question paper with a mix of question types: short-answer, longer-answer, and levels of response mark-scheme-type questions. It will cover the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:
▪ The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
▪ The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
▪ Software and software development
▪ Software and software development
▪ Exchanging data
▪ Exchanging data
▪ Data types, data structures and algorithms
▪ Data types, data structures and algorithms
▪ Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
▪ Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
2 - Algorithms And Programming
2 - Algorithms And Programming
This component will be a traditionally marked and structured question paper with two sections, both of which will include a mix of question types: short answer,longer-answer, and levels of response mark-scheme-type questions.
This component will be a traditionally marked and structured question paper with two sections, both of which will include a mix of question types: short answer,longer-answer, and levels of response mark-scheme-type questions.
Section A
Section A
Traditional questions concerning computational thinking:
Traditional questions concerning computational thinking:
▪ Elements of computational thinking
▪ Elements of computational thinking
▪ Programming and problem solving
▪ Programming and problem solving
▪ Pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition
▪ Pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition
▪ Algorithm design and efficiency
▪ Algorithm design and efficiency
▪ Standard algorithms
▪ Standard algorithms
Section B
Section B
There’ll be a scenario/task contained in the paper, which could be an algorithm or a text page-based task, which will involve problem solving.
There’ll be a scenario/task contained in the paper, which could be an algorithm or a text page-based task, which will involve problem solving.
3 - Programming Project
3 - Programming Project
Students and/or centres select their own user-driven problem of an appropriate size and complexity to solve. This will enable them to demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the Assessment Objectives. Students will need to analyse the problem, design a solution, implement the solution and give a thorough evaluation.
Students and/or centres select their own user-driven problem of an appropriate size and complexity to solve. This will enable them to demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the Assessment Objectives. Students will need to analyse the problem, design a solution, implement the solution and give a thorough evaluation.
Assessment
Assessment
Computer systems (01) 140 marks - 2 hours 30 mins (40%)
Algorithms and programming (02) 140 marks - 2 hours 30 mins (40%)
Programming project (03) 70 marks (20%)
Progression
Progression
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