A-LEVEL Computer Science
A-LEVEL
The emphasis of this course is on abstract thinking, general problem-solving and algorithmic and mathematical reasoning. The course develops students’ computational problem-solving ability. Students will also develop a range of skills, including high and low-level programming languages, network topologies, communication and Boolean algebra.
Subject requirements:
GCSE 6 in Maths and GCSE 7 in Computer Science (if studied), or GCSE 7 in Maths.
Teacher to contact/Area Coordinator - Ms J Symonds
Course Content:
The course covers the following aspects of Computer Science:
- Fundamentals of programming
- Fundamentals of data structures
- Fundamentals of algorithms
- Theory of computation
- Fundamentals of data representation
- Fundamentals of computer system
- Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
- Consequences of uses of computing
- Fundamentals of communication and networking
- Fundamentals of databases
- Big Data
- Fundamentals of functional programming
- Systematic approach to problem solving
Assessment Criteria
Paper 1: A 2-hour 30 minutes exam, covering topics 1–4 above (40% of A-Level)
Paper 2: A 2-hour 30 minutes exam, covering topics 5–13 above (40% of A-Level)
Coursework – A practical programming project of own choosing (20% of A-Level)
Exam Board: AQA Course Code: 7517
Are you interested in:
- Computer programming?
- How the Internet works?
- Solving problems?
- Whether or not a problem can be solved?
- Mathematical thinking?
Leading to a career in:
- Science
- Engineering
- Software Development
- Information Technology
- Computing
This subject goes well with:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Economics
Click below to learn about the course from Computer Science student, Naomi.