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Computer Science (GCE A Level)
Shelley College
Huddersfield Road, Shelley, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 8NL
Available start dates
Available start dates
Course Summary
Why study Computer Science?
The study of Computer Science is about developing an approach to problem solving that involves developing IT systems using your own programs.
It’s mainly about developing and using your own programming skills. Along side the programming you will look at how and why a computer works, what peripherals are available and how these communicate with each other.
The system lifecycle involves analysis, design, development/prototyping and evaluating computer systems. As you’re aware computing is constantly evolving with new technologies being developed and new uses for those technologies being developed almost daily so you will be required to keep up to date with current IT industry developments and you’ll be expected to read, watch and explain the IT news.
Course Details
Content Overview
The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
Software and software development
Exchanging data
Data types, data structures and algorithms
Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
Elements of computational thinking
Problem solving and programming
Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms The learner will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification.
Analysis of the problem
Design of the solution
Developing the solution
Evaluation
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Computer systems (01) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes written paper 40% of total A level
Algorithms and programming (02*) 140 marks 2 hours and 30 minutes written paper 40% of total A level
Programming project (03* or 04**) 70 marks Non-exam assessment 20% of total A level
Entry requirements
The aim of our entry criteria policy is to ensure students are taking courses they are well suited to and are able to make progress in. We seek to provide courses well matched to the needs of our students, helping them to follow their chosen progression pathway.
Our main College entry requirements are as follows;
Entry Requirements
A minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from five different subject areas.
Purely vocational pathway require a minimum of four 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from four different subject areas.
There will be three pathways which students can follow based on an average grade produced from their seven best GCSE results. The calculation being used for this van be seen overleaf.
Pathway
Average Grade
Programme of study
1
Average grade of 7 or higher
3 or 4 A Levels
2
Average grade of 5 to 6.9
3 A Levels or a mixed A Level and Vocational pathway
3
Average grade of less than 5
Mixed (A Level and Vocational) or Vocational pathway
The method for calculating your average grade and additional subject requirements are within our full entry criteria document which can be found on the Sixth Form section of our website:
http://home.shelleycollege.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply
As well as our general entry requirements, there are certain subjects which hold individual expectations based on GCSE outcomes.
For more courses like this, check our courses page.