A Level
Computer Science focuses on programming and emphasises the importance of computational thinking as a discipline. This course will enable you to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation.
Visit Subject websiteThe most important aspect of computer science is problem solving, an essential skill for life. Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems. Problems that didn’t even exist before the computer was born. On this course you will improve your ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so, in a variety of modern languages.
Unit 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:
Unit 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.
Section A
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.
Unit 3: Programming Project
(Exam board: OCR)
(Specification code: H446)
A Level Computer Science focuses on programming, building on GCSE Computing and emphasise the importance of computational thinking as a discipline. It also focuses on maths, much of which will be embedded within the course. It puts computational thinking at its core, helping you to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence. You apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real world systems in an exciting and engaging manner.
Lessons and homework contain a combination of theory and practical work. Unlike IT, the majority of the assessment for this course is examinations (80% written exams and 20% coursework) although the balance between practical and theory in the classroom will be roughly 50/50. The computing room has been designed and equipped specifically to teach Computer Science in a flexible way, using mobile technologies including laptops, tablets and is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) capable.
Module 1: Written Paper (140 marks), 2hour 30mins, 40% of the overall grade
Module 2: Written Paper (140 marks), 2hour 30mins, 40% of the overall grade
Module 3: Coursework (70 marks), 20% of the overall grade
You must have at least a grade 6 in GCSE Maths and a grade 5 in GCSE English. Students should have ideally studied GCSE Computer Science and gained a grade 6. Students who have not studied GCSE Computer Science or who have not achieved these grades should speak to subject staff.
In this subject, particular skills and aptitudes will be required, many of which will be demonstrated by students’ GCSE profiles.
Students will also need to meet the general College entry requirements. Entry requirements are subjects to change.
A Level Maths or Physics
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College,
Vane Terrace,
Darlington,
County Durham,
DL3 7AU
Principal: Laurence Job
+44 (0)1325 461315
qe@qeliz.ac.uk
Proud to be part of
Northern Arch Learning Partnership, c/o Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Vane Terrace, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL3 7AU
www.northernarchlearningpartnership.org.uk
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