Computer Science – A-Level AQA
Course entry requirements: GCSE Computer Science would be an advantage but not essential – if studied a minimum of grade 6 is needed. Good communication & analytical skills. An interest in computer programming and problem solving.
OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
There is an up to date specification that focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills students need to progress to higher education or thrive in the workplace. Examinations include a variety of assessment styles so that students feel more confident and able to engage with the questions.
Assessment of non-exam assessment (NEA) is straightforward and designed to encourage students to do an investigative project on a topic of particular interest to them. An interest in programming with any of the following is essential: C#; Java; Pascal/Delphi; Python; VB.Net. You can expect to:
- Engage in problem solving, write and use algorithms.
- Learn to write and test programs in high level language, assembly code and functional code.
- Learn about hardware and software, networks and the Internet.
- Understand the ways in which data is represented in a computer system.
- Understand the ethical and legal constraints when using computer systems.
- Use relational databases.
- Understand the system development lifecycle and the needs of a real end user.
COURSE DETAILS AND ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Paper 1 – On-screen exam: 2 hours 45 minute 40% of A-level. Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document provided by the exam board.
Paper 2 – This paper tests a student’s ability to answer short-answer and extended-answer questions from subject content in a written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level.
Non-exam assessment – The non-exam assessment assesses a student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving. 75 marks, 20% of A-level.
WHERE CAN THIS COURSE TAKE ME?
Access to the IT industry. Careers related to mathematics, statistics, sciences, analytics, product development, or anything else which requires analytical problem solving skills. University/Higher Education
I CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION BY
Visit aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-andit, bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m9ry, codecademy.com,
computingatschool.org.uk.