Computer Studies / Computing

Course summary

Computer science is a subject that includes both theory and practice. It requires thinking both in abstract terms and in concrete terms to solve problems. Practically everyone is a computer user, and many people are computer programmers. Getting computers to do what you want them to do requires a lot of hands-on experience, however on a higher level Computer Science is the science of problem-solving. Computer scientists must be able to model and analyse problems. They must also be able to design solutions and verify that they are correct. Problem-solving requires precision, creativity, and careful reasoning. Finally, computer science has a wide range of specialities. These include computer architecture, software systems, graphics, artificial intelligence, computational science, and software engineering. Computer Science is practised by mathematicians, scientists and engineers. Mathematics, the origins of Computer Science, provides reason and logic. Science provides the methodology for learning and refinement. Engineering provides the techniques for building hardware and software. Finally, and most importantly, Computer Scientists are Computer Scientists because it is fun (not to mention lucrative career opportunities). The modules covered in A-level Computer Science are: 1. Fundamentals of programming. 2. Fundamentals of data structures. 3. Systematic approach to problem solving. 4. Theory of computation. 5. Fundamentals of data representation. 6. Fundamentals of computer systems. 7. Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture. 8. Consequences of uses of computing. 9. Fundamentals of communication and networking. 10. Fundamentals of databases. 11. Big Data. 12. Fundamentals of functional programming. 13. Systematic approach to problem solving. 14. Non-exam assessment – the computing practical project.