Computing AS/A Level

Curriculum Area: Maths and Computing

Computing AS/A Level

The new computing specification shows a significant revision of the previous specification to bring the content up to date and shift the emphasis towards Computer Science and Computation and away from ICT topics. The new specification has no overlap with the ICT (Applied) course. No prior knowledge of Computing and ICT is required. The course has an emphasis on abstract thinking, general problem-solving, programming skills, algorithmic and mathematical reasoning and scientific engineering based thinking. It has been designed to suit students wishing to continue on to either HE Computer Science or related degrees or to employment in areas where knowledge of computing would be beneficial.

Advanced Subsidiary [AS]

Students study two units with one 2 hour on-screen and one 2 ½ hour written exam. The unit titles are

Unit 1 Problem Solving, programming, data representation and practical exercise - an introduction to breaking problems down into the steps required for solution for a software programme Unit 2 The stored program concept and the Internet - introduction to hardware, software, internet and applications of computing

Advanced Level (A2)

Unit 3 Problem solving, programming, operating systems, databases and networking. – more detailed study of topics introduced in the AS Unit 4 The practical project – an individual programming project of the candidates own choice

Methods of Teaching and Learning

The course is taught by well qualified and experienced staff. Teaching methods include exposition, discussions and allow plenty of time to develop practical skills in both packages and programming. Current programming languages taught include Java, MySql and PHP. Students also use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access). Students are expected to do a substantial amount of both practical and theory work outside the classroom.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment units may be taken in January or June each year, or at the end of the course, subject to availability. The AS online exam is examined in May.

Resources

Appropriate textbooks are issued for the course and study guides are prepared for learning practical skills. The College has four ICT/Computing Suites each containing over 20 PCs networked to the main College system. The rooms are available for use by students most of the day. There are also other Computer suites in the Library and on the ground floor, where students can log in and still access their files on the student server. Remote access via the Internet is also available.

Progression

A level Computing is accepted as an appropriate qualification for entry to many degree courses and gives a very good start to students wishing to take Computer Science at degree level. It is also well thought of by employers for students wanting to go straight into employment.

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs at grade C or above or the equivalent from four subject areas including GCSE Mathematics and English at grade B or above. Successful completion of a summer task.

Charges

Students are charged for printing and there are also costs incurred privately in buying memory sticks to back up project work if desired. A trip to Bletchley Park is also run and the cost for that is £25.

Information for applicants starting in 2012

Why Computing?

• There is a need for programmers and computer scientists (Click here for BBC news article)
• You can learn to code in 2012. Have a go using code academy - an initiative to get people coding (uses javascript which is similar to Java used at St Brendan's) : www.codeacademy.com. Or, from a different angle try GeomLab.

St Brendan's AS Computing

In order to inform you, and us, about whether this is the right choice you need to complete and submit a summer task, taking about 15 to 20 hours of work in total, in addition to applying and fulfilling entrance requirements. All students wishing to take AS Computing, starting from August 2012, need to complete this task

Download and use the documents below

Summer task 2012.doc (2.39 mb)

- Contains instructions and questions

Summer Task EAD 2012.doc (152 kb)

- is to fill in with answers. Please print out and post to J F Alvarez Zafra, Mathematics and Computing dept, St Brendan's College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ, or email to jaz@stbrn.ac.uk In either case the EAD needs to arrive by Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

Welcome to Computing 2012.ppt (290 kb)

- Provides information about the computing course at St Brendan's

Coach Calculator.prg (3.08 kb)

- Progranimate file you can load into Progranimate (See Summer Task 2012.doc for details)

dob.jar (36.0 kb)

- Is an example Java application. Place in same folder as the 'Welcome to Computing 2012.ppt' above.

Alternative Format

• Summer Task 2012.pdf (1.43 mb)
• Summer Task 2012.rtf (109 mb)
• Summer Task EAD 2012.rtf (293 kb)
• Summer Task EAD 2012.xml (262 kb)
• Summer Task EAD 2012.pdf (171 kb)
• Welcome to Computing 2012.pdf (106 kb)

If you need help or have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch:

- I will check my email jaz@stbrn.ac.uk on the dates below (mostly Thursdays). 21st June, 28th June, 5th July, 16th August, 20th August (Mon), 22nd Aug (Wed). You can try other times too as I will check my email occasionally

- Otherwise telephone me (Jaz) on 0117 97777 66 ext 2302 before the end of term (6th July 2012). If I am not available leave a message for me with reception including your telephone number and I will ring back later.