Computer Studies / Computing

Assessment

AS and A-level students cover computer systems (01) and algorithms and programming (02). A-level students also complete their programming project (03 or 04). Throughout both courses, students will receive intensive practical training in Visual Basic.Net and Python, high-level programming languages. Computer systems (01) The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is essentially the nerve centre of a computer through which all information flows. You will examine how this works and how processors differ; for example desktop computers and mobile devices. You will find out how to identify different data types, work out how programs integrate through data exchange and develop your software using sophisticated coding languages. Privacy, sharing, hacking and the environment are just some of the legal and ethical issues you will consider in the development of software and its applications in current and future technologies. AS level written exam: 1hr 15mins, 70 marks, 50% of overall result. A level written exam: 2hr 30mins, 140 marks, 40% of the overall result. Algorithms and programming (02) In this unit, you will develop your problem-solving skills by learning to recognise, analyse and break down ‘problems’ to create solutions that the computer will be able to understand. Here you will discover how invaluable algorithms are in helping you describe and resolve complex problems. Algorithms are step-by-step instructions that lead to an outcome and they exist not only in a scientific context but all around us. Following a cake recipe is just a basic real-life example of an algorithm. Algorithms are also responsible for an enormous range of complex activities from codebreaking to financial market management, predicting behaviour, crime prevention and social networking. AS level written exam: 1hr 15mins, 70 marks, 50% of overall result. A level written exam: 2hr 30mins, 140 marks, 40% of the overall result. Programming project component (03 or 04) Go ahead and wow the world with an amazingly innovative program that will change life as we know it using all the problem-solving techniques, skills and programming language fluency you have perfected over the course. Now’s your chance to show how you can analyse problems, design and develop solutions and give yourself marks out of ten (evaluation). Programming project (03 or 04) A level non-exam assessment: 70 marks, 20% of the overall result.