Computer Science

Studying Computer Science at Bow Sixth Form

Exam Board: OCR

Entry Requirements: A minimum of a Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and English in addition to 3 other 5-9 grades. A GCSE in Computer Science Qualification would be an advantage.

Why study this course?

Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital perspective.

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

• An understanding 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 to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills.

 What skills will I gain?

• Students will develop analytical skills
• Improve on problem solving and organizational skills
• Obtain a skill in a programming language used in the industry
• Develop computational thinking skills
• Increase creativity using technology
• Be able to think critically and efficiently.

Course content

This is a brand new course at Bow and the exact structure of the course will very much reflect the OCR exam specifications.

Year 12

Autumn term

Spring term

Summer term

 Year 13

Autumn term

Spring term

Summer term

Future pathways

A good grade in Computer Science at A level is valued by universities and employers since it requires the development of analytical thinking and problem solving skills. This course also lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or related subjects in higher education.

Many problems in the sciences, engineering, health care, business and other areas can be solved effectively with computers, but finding a solution requires both computer science expertise and knowledge of the particular application domain. Thus, computer scientists often become proficient in other subjects.

 Careers specific to Computer Science, to name a few:

• Software Engineering
• Data Analysis
• Cyber Security
• Database Management
• Systems Analysis
• Web Development
• Mobile Application Development.

Assessment

• Computer Systems (01) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Non-Calculator written paper – 40%
  • The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
  • Software and software development
  • Exchanging data
  • Data types, data structures and algorithms
  • Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
• Algorithms and Programming (02) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Non-Calculator written paper – 40%
  • Elements of computational thinking
  •  Problem solving and programming
  • Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms
• Programming Project 70 marks Non-exam assessment – 20%
• The learner will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification.
  • Analysis of the problem
  • Design of the solution
  • Developing the solution
  • Evaluation.