Computer Science

This is one of the options offered by the Computing and Business Department.

Student who chose this option will take the qualification OCR GCSE Computer Science

Course Description

The Computer Science GCSE involves two written, none calculator exams, which both last 1 hours 30 minutes each, and make up a total of 100% of the final grade. Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task during their course of study that allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using a high-level programming language.

The first exam is based on 'Computer Systems' and the second exam is based on 'Computational thinking, algorithms and programming'. Students will be assessed on their programming skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02 (section B) exam.

The course gives students a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. Students will no doubt be familiar with the use of computers and other related technology from their other subjects and elsewhere. However, this course will give them an insight into what goes on 'behind the scenes', including computer programming, which many students find absorbing.

The course will develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills through the study of computer programming, giving students a fun and interesting way to develop these skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and even applied in day-to-day life. In this respect, the course provides excellent preparation for students who want to study or work in areas that rely on these skills, especially where they are applied to technical problems. These areas include engineering, financial and resource management, science and medicine.

Some of the benefits of choosing to study GCSE Computer Science are:

Gives learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works
Provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in Computer Science
Develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills.

Who would this course be suitable for?

This course is very mathematical and both of the examinations are none calculator, so people who pick this as an option would be at an advantage if they were mathematically minded.

It's also important to understand that computer science is not about building computers or writing code, you have to understand how computers work and is quite closely linked to physics, so a mind which enjoys problem solving and scientific enquiry is essential.

With this in mind students currently working at band 5s and band 6s in both Maths and Science, would be best suited to this course.

Potential career paths

There are a variety of different paths that you could follow after studying GCSE Computing. The course provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in the field of computer science. The increasing importance of information technologies means there will be a growing demand for professionals who are qualified in this area. Students who've taken a GCSE in Computing and who then progress to study the subject at A Level or university will have an advantage over their colleagues who are picking up the subject at these levels.

To investigate Computing careers further please visit: https://icould.com/explore/categories/subject/computing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/zhj692p/jobs-that-use-computing-and-ict/1

What do students say about this course?

"I have enjoyed learning about the internal components of the computer and finding out how it works”

"We do practical work which is very interesting; this includes designing and creating our own programs”

"The work is challenging and I like challenges - I now understand computer code”

"I enjoy the teaching; it is interactive, fun and helpful as I know how to make progress. I now understand how the computer works inside”

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