AS/A Level Computing
Subject Staff: Sheila Picking (Head of Subject); Dave Tarn
- Level: AS/A Level
- Duration: 2 years
Why should I choose this course?
- Learn to solve real problems and produce computer-based solutions
- To provide an opportunity to learn programming skills
- To gain an understanding of logical methods to design and test computer programs
- To give real insight as to how a computer works
- The skills acquired are valued by employers for a wide range of careers
What does the course consist of?
- Types of hardware and software, processor components
- Understand the technicalities of the Internet
- Design well structured programs using a variety of programming techniques
- Comparison of different types of programming languages
- How an operating system controls the software in the machine
- Data types, number coding and methods of transmitting data values
- Data structures to store data and how to manipulate them
What are the entry requirements?
- At least 5 A* - C passes at GCSE
- A grade C or higher in GCSE ICT or equivalent, if this subject was taken
- A grade C or higher in GCSE Mathematics
How is this course assessed?
- AS – 90-minute exam on computer fundamentals
- AS – 90-minute exam on programming techniques and logic
- A2 – 2-hours exam on operating systems, methods of translation, internal hardware registers and their use in program execution , data structures, and low level language programming
- A2 – Create and document a computer-based solution of a real problem using programming techniques
What might this course lead on to?
- There is opportunity in the first year for a few students to participate in the North East Schools Industry Partnership by spending a week at Durham University creating software for a real client.
- It supports a wide range of careers or university courses involving computer science, ICT, and programming for graphics, multimedia or games.