Availability & Details

Computer Science, A-Level AF-COMPAL-D(0000)000
Venue Alton Campus Type of study Full-Time	Dates Academic Year 2021-22 (2 years) Examination board AQA

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How to apply

Overview

In Computer Science, you’ll like a challenge and will have a logical approach to solving problems. A large part of this course involves learning how to use a variety of programming languages to write computer programs to solve a series of problems. Towards the end of your first year, you’ll be able to call yourself a Computer Programmer! Computer Science is a technical subject within which you’ll also gain an understanding of the internal structure of a computer, how the CPU actually functions, the role binary plays in storing all of the data on all of the computers in the world and also how the internet manages to function correctly on a day-to-day basis.

Entry Requirements

You should normally have achieved at least five GCSEs at grade 9-4.

You will need a logical mind to write your own computer program successfully and for this reason it is recommended that you have at least grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics.

Structure

At HSDC Alton on the Computer Science A Level you will:

Cover topics such as programming, data structures, algorithms, databases, computer systems and networks
Be taught how to create ‘good’ computer programs
Develop a systematic approach to solving problems using both procedural, event-driven and functional programming languages such as: C#, Haskell, Java, Pascal, Prolog, Python and Visual Basic
Complete a practical programming project based on the requirements of a real end user
Analyse and design a range of challenging problems before creating and testing solutions
Learn how a computer translates a computer program into a form that the CPU can understand
Find out about binary, hexadecimal and how to analyse and simplify Boolean logic
Understand what really happens in the ‘heart’ of a CPU
Be able to fully appreciate what happens when you click on a link to browse the Internet
Gain an understanding of how a computer can create and play music recorded as a series of 1’s and 0’s

Teaching & Learning

Lesson activities will include writing a number of computer programs to solve a range of challenging problems, independently researching how devices and systems function, working on individual programming projects, actively participating in class discussion plus a number of quizzes to test understanding.

Assessment

80% exams, 20% course work.
Two exam papers; Paper 1 (on-screen exam includes programming), Paper 2 (written exam).

Additional Costs

No additional costs. The course textbook is available online.

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College has been the best two years of my education. All my teachers were great and amazing, and I think they were the most helpful they could have been.
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Digital : IT Computer Science

A Level