WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE? Computer Science is the key to knowing how all the computers around you (phones, cars, the internet of things, as well as regular tablets, laptops, and desktops) work and communicate with each other. Good computer science students are analytical and creative: they can work out how to make computers do exactly the things they need them to do. The best-achieving students are those who engage with programming and work on developing their skills outside of class time. All of the tools you will use are freely available, so the only outlay required is your time and effort. Programming forms the vast proportion of our practical work and you will learn to program using LMC, JavaScript, and supporting web technologies (HTML and CSS). Your computer science lessons all take place in well-equipped, airconditioned computer suites using state-of-the-art cloud-based IDEs. COURSE CONTENT The course consists of two theory modules taught across the two years and a coursework project. Computing Principles: Examines how modern processors and operating systems work, what software is and how it is developed, the structure and exchange of data, as well as the legal and ethical issues surrounding computer use. Algorithms and Problem Solving: You will learn ways of approaching solving problems and implementing solutions. You learn at least one programming language and use this to develop and test your own solutions to problems. Also, the unit covers the analysis of algorithms and the implementation of a range of standard sort and search processes. Coursework Project: You will design a software application from scratch, implement it, test it, and write it up. The majority of students write multi-player server-based online games in JavaScript, however, you are free to choose any project whatsoever in any language in which you are proficient. Recent years have seen projects as diverse as football tournament manager, asteroids game, geometry aid, pokemon team builder, theatre lighting design system, Connect 4, Rubik’s cube solver, fractal graphics generator, Risk and other board games, and a robot hand for signing for the deaf, The world is your oyster.
At least 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 - 9. IF YOU STUDIED COMPUTER SCIENCE OR I.T. AT SCHOOL: • Grade 5 in GCSE Computer Science or a Merit in Level 2 IT • Grade 5 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) OR IF YOU DID NOT STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE OR I.T. AT SCHOOL: • Grade 7 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) OR • Grade 6 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) plus evidence of proficiency in programming AND • Grade 4 English (Language or Literature)
You will sit 2 exams at the end of the course – both 2 ½ hours long. Together these are worth 80% of the A Level. The remaining 20% is accounted for by your coursework project.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1SN |
WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE? Computer Science is the key to knowing how all the computers around you (phones, cars, the internet of things, as well as regular tablets, laptops, and desktops) work and communicate with each other. Good computer science students are analytical and creative: they can work out how to make computers do exactly the things they need them to do. The best-achieving students are those who engage with programming and work on developing their skills outside of class time. All of the tools you will use are freely available, so the only outlay required is your time and effort. Programming forms the vast proportion of our practical work and you will learn to program using LMC, JavaScript, and supporting web technologies (HTML and CSS). Your computer science lessons all take place in well-equipped, airconditioned computer suites using state-of-the-art cloud-based IDEs. COURSE CONTENT The course consists of two theory modules taught across the two years and a coursework project. Computing Principles: Examines how modern processors and operating systems work, what software is and how it is developed, the structure and exchange of data, as well as the legal and ethical issues surrounding computer use. Algorithms and Problem Solving: You will learn ways of approaching solving problems and implementing solutions. You learn at least one programming language and use this to develop and test your own solutions to problems. Also, the unit covers the analysis of algorithms and the implementation of a range of standard sort and search processes. Coursework Project: You will design a software application from scratch, implement it, test it, and write it up. The majority of students write multi-player server-based online games in JavaScript, however, you are free to choose any project whatsoever in any language in which you are proficient. Recent years have seen projects as diverse as football tournament manager, asteroids game, geometry aid, pokemon team builder, theatre lighting design system, Connect 4, Rubik’s cube solver, fractal graphics generator, Risk and other board games, and a robot hand for signing for the deaf, The world is your oyster.
At least 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 - 9. IF YOU STUDIED COMPUTER SCIENCE OR I.T. AT SCHOOL: • Grade 5 in GCSE Computer Science or a Merit in Level 2 IT • Grade 5 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) OR IF YOU DID NOT STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE OR I.T. AT SCHOOL: • Grade 7 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) OR • Grade 6 in Maths and two sciences (either both Combined science grades or two single science grades) plus evidence of proficiency in programming AND • Grade 4 English (Language or Literature)
You will sit 2 exams at the end of the course – both 2 ½ hours long. Together these are worth 80% of the A Level. The remaining 20% is accounted for by your coursework project.