Computer Science GCSE

COURSE OUTLINE

Where other ICT options focus on whatwe can do with technology and applications in business-like situations, GCSE Computer Science focuses on the technical aspects of how those technologies work and how to program computer applications. As a result, students on this course will learn how to create computer programs. Students will also gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts around creating software applications and have opportunities to work collaboratively to develop new software. Concepts covered by this course include:

· Constants, variables, data types and data structures

· Program flow control, procedures and functions

· Error handling

· Computer structure, systems and hardware – including the parts needed to build a computer and how they work

· Algorithms

· Programming.

· Software development life cycle and prototyping

· Application testing

· Networking

· Cyber-security

· Web application concepts

· Use of external code sources

· Database concepts and query methods (SQL)

· The use of computer technology in society

Following the study of these topics, students will sit two written examination papers which include a combination of multiple-choice, short answer and essay style questions to explore students’ understanding of the theoretical concepts and their ability to write and trace programming code. Practical ability is developed to allow students to undertake a substantial programming project which will act as preparation for the exam papers. This assignment will require students to design, code and test their own solution to a given problem.

The amount of material covered by this course, the high-level theoretical concepts and the amount of work involved in preparing for and completing the practical assessment means that this subject is best suited to higher ability students who must be committed to the subject from the beginning with a keen interest in logical thinking, how computers work and how to create computer programs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This course will interest any pupil who wants a career in the computing industry – particularly system developers and application or game programmers. This course is ideal for those intending to take a more academic pathway and continue on to study A-Level ICT or Computing.