Computer Science GCSE Options Information
What is the main aim of the course?
A student on this course will develop program design and writing skills, obtain an understanding of the internal working of computers and how networks operate and gain an insight into cyber security with a broad overview of the impact of digital technology upon society and the environment.
Students will be prepared for further study or a job in the workplace.
What will you learn?
Fundamentals of algorithms: Design, Efficiency, Search, Sort
Programming: Topics - Data type, programming concepts - variables/constants, assignment, iteration, selection, subroutines, arithmetic operations in a programming language, relational operations in a programming language, Boolean operations, data structures, Input/Output, string handling, random number generation, robust and secure programming
Fundamentals of data representation: Topics - number bases, converting between bases, units of information, binary arithmetic, character encoding, representing images, representing sound, data compression
Computer systems: Topics - hardware and software, Boolean logic, software classification, classification of programming languages and translators, systems architecture
Fundamentals of computer networks: Topics - main types of network, wireless or wired, topologies, protocols, methods of network security, TCP/IP stack model
Cyber security: Topics - definition and purpose of cyber security, cyber security threats, methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats
Relational databases and structured query language (SQL): Topics - concept of a database, relational database, structured query language
Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy: Explain the current ethical, legal and environmental impacts and risks of digital technology on society. Where data privacy issues arise these should be considered.
How is the course assessed?
Two examination papers at the end of year 11, each worth 50%.
How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?
By being a valuable qualification that teaches knowledge and skills which are transferrable to further study or application to work place challenges.
Students will be able to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation to the analysis of problems in computational terms.
Students can progress on to Computing courses at W6 Sixth Form at SRWA.
As the breadth of digital applications expands rapidly, Computer Science can lead to careers in many industries . This course can support applications to study courses in higher education, either as Computer Science or as a strong support for another subject.
Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?
Mr Christopher Clark c.clark@srwa.co.uk.
