A-Level Computer Studies
Starting dates and places
Description
AS level (year 1)
Unit 1: Problem solving, programming, data representation and practical exercise
Fundamentals of problem solving:
- Stages of problem solving.
- Understanding and defining the problem.
- Planning solutions including top-down and modular design.
- Refining the solution.
- Expressing the solution to a simple problem as an algorithm using flowcharts, pseudo-code or structured English and the standard constructs: sequence, assignment, selection and repetition.
- Understanding the standard algorithms: bubble sort, linear search.
Fundamentals of programming:
- Using a third-generation level language.
- Using data types appropriately, including: integer, byte, real, boolean, character, s…
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AS level (year 1)
Unit 1: Problem solving, programming, data representation and
practical exercise
Fundamentals of problem solving:
- Stages of problem solving.
- Understanding and defining the problem.
- Planning solutions including top-down and modular design.
- Refining the solution.
- Expressing the solution to a simple problem as an algorithm using
flowcharts, pseudo-code or structured English and the standard
constructs: sequence, assignment, selection and repetition.
- Understanding the standard algorithms: bubble sort, linear
search.
Fundamentals of programming:
- Using a third-generation level language.
- Using data types appropriately, including: integer, byte, real,
boolean, character, string, date/time.
- The role and use of variables and arrays.
Fundamentals of data representation:
- Understanding different interpretations that may be associated
with a pattern of bits.
- Number systems: binary, denary, hexadecimal.
- Differentiating between the character codes ASCII and
Unicode.
- Bitmapped and vector graphics: resolution, colour depth, objects
and their properties.
- Sound files and audio streaming: the need for compression and
basic techniques.
- Sampled sound and sampling resolution.
- Sampling rate.
- Analogue and digital data: differentiating between analogue and
digital data and analogue signals.
Systems development life cycle:
- Describing the stages of development of a hardware/software
system.
- Design and program the solution as per the design.
- Implement and test the programmed solution.
Unit 2: Computer components, the stored program concept and the
Internet
Fundamentals of computer systems:
- Understanding the relationship between hardware and software and
be able to define both.
- How software is classified and the difference between system
software (operating system, utility programs) and application
software.
Fundamental hardware elements of computers:
- Logic gates and truth tables.
- Manipulatating and simplifying simple boolean expressions.
Machine level architecture:
- The basic internal components of a computer system.
- The need for and means of connection between components including
processor, main memory, address bus, data bus, control bus, I/O
controllers and I/O ports.
- The Fetch-Execute cycle and the role of the processor.
Hardware devices:
- Input and output devices and their main characteristics and
principles of operation.
- Comparing the capacity, speed and suitability of various media
for different applications.
The structure of the Internet:
- The Internet, World Wide Web (WWW) and routing.
- Understanding the difference between the Internet, the Web and an
intranet.
- How domain names are organised
- The role of an Internet Service provider (ISP) and Domain Name
Server (DNS).
- The client-server model and the protocols TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, POP3
and SMTP.
Web page design:
- Creating simple web pages containing hyperlinks using HTML and
style sheets.
Consequences of computing use
- Issues of ownership of information and programs, and the
protection of data and current legal controls which specifically
refer to computerised data and programs.
- Hacking.
- Robotics: What are machines good and bad at? What can we learn
from machines? What are the limitations of using machines as
tools?
A2 level (year 2)
Unit 3: Problem solving, programming, operating systems, databases
and networking
Problem solving:
- Modelling of a complex system.
- Understanding that some algorithms are more space or time
efficient than others.
- Software and hardware limitations.
Programming concepts:
- Programming using objects to model a simple problem.
- Manipulating structured data.
- The link between choice of algorithms and volume of data to be
processed.
End Qualification:
Year 1: AS Level Computer Studies
Year 2: A2 Level Computer Studies
Entry Requirements:
Interview required
5 GCSEs at grade C or above including grade B maths. A practical assessment will be given in the first week.
Assessment:
AS Unit 1 - 60% of AS - 30% of A2
2 hour on-screen examination - 100 marks. Skeleton program and test
data released on 1 April. Candidates use this to answer short
questions and to write a program.
AS Unit 2 - 40% of AS - 20% of A2
1 hour written examination - 60 marks. Compulsory short answer
questions.
A2 Unit 3 - 30% of A2
2 hour 30 minutes written examination - 100 marks. Compulsory short
and extended answer questions.
A2 Unit 4 - 20% of A2
Coursework, internally assessed, and moderated by AQA - 75 marks.
Report documenting a programmed solution to a real problem.
Progression from this course:
BSc Computer Science or HND and degree programmes at university or employment.
Location:
King's Lynn Campus - PE30 2QW
Duration:
2 Years
Start times:
September 2013
How to Apply:
Please apply online using the general college application form
Course Costs:
All students on full-time courses will need to pay a materials/resources fee. Details will be provided before enrolment. If you are under 19 on 31st August in the year you begin your programme, you will not have to pay tuition or registration fees for your course. For students aged 19 or over, there will be a tuition fee (depends on the course) for each year of the course as well as a registration fee (which includes exam fees). However, many students will be eligible for reduced fees and / or financial support towards the costs. Click here for detailed information. Please contact Student Services if you have further queries.
Students are required to purchase their own text books.
Additional Information:
Contact Student Services: King's Lynn - 01553 761144 Isle (Wisbech) - 01945 582561 A level courses in Wisbech are run and delivered in partnership with Thomas Clarkson Community College.
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