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Computer Science

I.C.T (Computing)

OCR A-Level Computer Science

Course Summary & Assessment:

This relevant and modern qualification gives learners and understanding of and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science to analyse and solve real-world problems. It is an intensively creative subject which combines invention and excitement and can look at the natural world through a digital prism. Learners will develop an ability to analyse, critically evaluate and make decisions; developing the skills to solve problems, design-systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.

A-Level Course:

The A-Level is assessed by two examination units in year 13 and one Programming Project.

Component 01: Computer Systems:

Students will understand the internal workings of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data-types and legal and ethical issues.

40% of the total Advanced GCE marks.

2 hour 30 minute written paper.

Component 02: Algorithms & Programming

Students will understand what is meant by computational thinking, understand the benefits of applying computational thinking to solving a wide variety of problems, understand the principals of solving problems by computational methods, be able to use algorithms to solve problems and be able to analyse a problem by identifying its component parts.

40% of the total Advanced GCE marks.

2 hour 30 minute written paper.

Unit 3 : Programming Project

Students will choose a coding problem to work through. Students will be able to analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language. The underlying approach to the project is to apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical coding problem.

20% of the total Advanced GCE marks.

Non-exam Assessment