General Objectives:

Are you interested in learning about how a computer works? Keen to learn how to program games and apps? Considering a career in programming or games designing? Someone who can think logically and solve problems?

Then GCSE Computing is the course for you! Where else could you develop the skills needed for the 21st century? Computers are widely used in all aspects of business, industry, government, education, leisure and the home.

In this technological age, a study of computer science, and particularly how computers are used in the solution of a variety of problems, is essential to learners.

 

The WJEC GCSE in Computer Science encourages learners to:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including; abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation

• analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs to do so

• think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically

• understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems

• understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society

• apply mathematical skills relevant to computer science.

 

Course Details:

The course is suitable for any pupil with an interest in how computers work and how to program computers. The course is split into three units.

 

Unit 1: Understanding Computer Science

Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes

50% of the qualification 100 marks

 

This unit investigates hardware, logical operations, communication, data representation and data types, operating systems, principles of programming, software engineering, program construction, security and data management and the impacts of digital technology on wider society.

 

Unit 2: Computational Thinking and Programming

On-screen examination: 2 hours

30% of the qualification 60 marks

This unit investigates problem solving, algorithms and programming constructs, programming languages, data structures and data types and security and authentication.

 

Unit 3: Software Development

Non-exam assessment: 20 hours

20% of qualification 80 marks

This unit requires learners to produce a programmed solution to a problem. They must analyse the problem, design a solution to the problem, develop a final programmed solution, test the solution and give suggestions for further development of the solution. Throughout the production of the solution learners are required to produce a refinement log that evidences the development of the solution.

 

The Future?

This course helps prepare pupils for the challenges of the future. The course is an excellent basis for A Level Computing and for Higher Education in college or university in a variety of subjects including computing, ICT, Business and ICT, games programming, and multimedia design. The qualification can also lead to numerous careers in the computing industry and other fields.

Entry Requirements:

Computer Science C GCSE

Mathematics C GCSE

What is Computer Science?

Computers are widely used in all aspects of business, industry, government, education, leisure and the home. In this increasingly technological age, a study of computer science, and particularly how computers are used in the solution of a variety of problems, is not only valuable to the learners but also essential to the future well-being of the country.

Computer science integrates well with subjects across the curriculum. It demands both logical discipline and imaginative creativity in the selection and design of algorithms and the writing, testing and debugging of programs; it relies on an understanding of the rules of language at a fundamental level; it encourages an awareness of the management and organisation of computer systems; it extends the learners’ horizons beyond the school or college environment in the appreciation of the effects of computer science on society and individuals.

For these reasons, computer science is as relevant to a learner studying arts subjects as it is to one studying science subjects.

What will I learn whilst studying Computer Science?

The WJEC AS and A Level in Computer Science encourages learners to develop:

• an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation

• the ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so

• the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically

• the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computerscience

• mathematical skills

• the ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.

Course Content:

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Computer Science

Unit 2: Practical Programming to Solve Problems

Unit 3: Programming and System Development

Unit 4: Computer Architecture, Data, Communication and Applications

Unit 5: Programmed Solution to a Problem (Project)

Possible Careers:

If you’ve studied Computer Science, you will have gained many technical and non-technical skills which are highly valued by employers, from leadership to programming. The increasing scope of computer science means you have plenty of choice in a wide variety of highly specialized areas. With computer technologies playing an ever growing role in all aspects of modern life, you’re likely to find your computer science skills in high demand across many different industries. These include: financial organizations, management consultancy firms, software houses, communications companies, data warehouses, multinational companies (ITrelated, financial services and others), governmental agencies, universities and hospitals.

Pupil Comment: “One of the most useful things I gained from Computer Science were those skills with a real-world application, like project management, group projects, coursework, and presentations. They’re all vital things for an employer which aren’t necessarily things that you would associate with Computer Science.”

Link to the website of the course https://www.cbac.co.uk/qualifications/computer-science/r-computer-science-gcse-2017/?language_id=2