Computer Science

Course Details

Awarding Body: OCR

Staff Contacts: Mr A Metcalfe (Ametcalfe@quarrydale.notts.sch.uk)

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Key features of the course

  • Understanding of key hardware and software to a high level
  • Calculations related to Binary, Floating Point, Hex and ASCII
  • Understanding of different computer architecture models
  • Extensive coding in C# and other similar languages
  • Creation of graphical user interfaces (as well as command line)
  • Research unit into a coding language of the students choice
  • In depth solution testing and error debugging
  • Practical and theory elements of networks

A Level course with 2 exams and 1 coursework unit.

Entry Requirements:

Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 with at least a grade 5 in Computer Science and Maths.

What could this course lead on to?

Computing students are found in many walks of life but usually in a career that centres on :

  • Network specialist
  • Software coder
  • Website developer
  • 3D game designer
  • SQL/Database developer
  • Hardware specialist
  • Tester / Debugger
  • Multiple platform applications developer

Future prospects and careers

The course will support access to degree courses in Computing, Computer Science, Game Design, Software Design, Network engineering etc   Possibly leading to one of the career areas listed above.

What type of student is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone that has completed GCSE Computer Science to at least a grade 5. A suitable student should have the ability to complete complex calculations, create code and script to a good standard and be able to test and debug ideas and solutions.

Computer Science compliments other subjects such as Maths, Science, Media

Assessment Structure

It is important to understand the assessment structure of the course. What percent are the units ? Are they internally or externally assessed ? Are they exams or coursework?

Unit One

Computer systems
140 marks , 2 hours and 30 minutes

written paper

  • 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

Unit Two

Algorithms and programming
140 marks , 2 hours and 30 minutes

written paper

  • Elements of computational thinking
  • Problem solving and programming
  • Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

Unit Three

Programming project

Students to create a complex programming project on a topic of their choice using a language of their choice. This can be software or a game.

  • Analysis of the problem
  • Design of the solution
  • Developing the solution
  • Evaluation