A Level Computer Science Why study Computer Science

A Level Computer Science • Why study Computer Science? • (Expanding technology - growth in technology, Computing is all around us- The digital age continues to expand, An ever-expanding field- The colossal growth of computing in the past few decades offers evidence of just how unpredictable an area it is. Variety - Computer science covers a great many job roles, A solid foundation- The skills you learn in computing can be applied to so many other areas and enable you to constantly evolve your professional life. Chances to be creative - encourages a creative side. Whether it is bringing something new to the appearance of a program, process or application, developing and improving its function, innovation goes a long way in this field. ) • Expectations: 7 in Maths, English and Computer Science, 5 hours independent study outside lessons weekly, good standard of literacy, independent wider reading and programming practice. • Units: The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices, Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software, Data exchange between different systems, Data types, data structures and algorithms, Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues. What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc. ) Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems, Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems. • Programming project • Course Textbook OCR AS and A Level Computer Science – PM Heathcote and RSU Heathcote (provided to students on the course) Wider Reading But How Do It Know - J Clark Scott Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions – Brian Christian The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution – Walter Issacson The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles – Noam Nisan Accidental Empires – Robert X Cringely • Bridging work: Typical business lesson tasks and activities see 6 th form booklet or preparation tasks given weekly on Show My Homework.