Computer Science
Why study this subject?
Computers are ubiquitous in our world today, marking the era we live in as the digital age. They are integral in solving problems and serving our society, highlighting the significantly ‘human’ elements of the computer science discipline. Studying computer science at A Level primarily focuses on problem-solving, an essential life skill that will help you understand and formulate solutions for the vast roles technology plays in our everyday lives.
At St Dunstan’s, our mission is to inspire and motivate students to step beyond their comfort zones and explore new ideas. Our teaching goes beyond the specifi cati on; we encourage you to delve deeper into topics of your interest and develop personal programming projects. This approach helps you gain a clearer understanding of the various applications of technologies in industries you might want to work in, before you even reach university.
We provide you with all the necessary tools to become a proficient computer scientist – the rest is up to you to demonstrate your potential and capabilities!
Course Overview
Component 01 – Computer Systems This component covers the core aspects of computer science, including system architecture, hardware and soft ware functions, data exchange, and the societal impact of digital technology. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of how computer systems operate.
Component 02 – Algorithms & Programming Students explore algorithms and programming, learning to design, analyse, and implement solutions to real-world problems. This includes studying different programming paradigms such as OOP, data structures, and soft ware development principles, enhancing their logical and computational thinking.
Component 03 – Programming Project In this component, students undertake an independent programming project. They identify a problem, conduct research, design and implement a solution, and test their program. This project demonstrates their programming skills and develops project management and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for future academic and professional challenges.
Entry Requirements
(I)GCSE computer science is desirable, but not necessary to study computer science at A Level. Where students have studied (I)GCSE computer science, a minimum of grade 8 is required. Students are also required to have achieved grade 7 or above in mathemati cs. When computer science has not been studied, students are required to have achieved a grade 8 in maths.