Computer Science Options Presentation

1. GCSE Computer
Science

2. Why Study a course in Computing ?
• The digital age needs
computing skills
• Computer literate personnel
are needed in every type of
industry
• Internationally required

3. Reasons why to study computing

4. GCSE Computer Science Option
• “Technical course , looking at the inner working and
development of computers and software”
• Two Exams
• Paper 1 – Computer Systems
• 1Hr 30 - 50% of GCSE
• Paper 2 – Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
• 1Hr 30 - 50% of GCSE
• A series of practical programming tasks

5. What to expect
You will have an opportunity to;
• Develop computer programs to
solve problems
• High levelTechnical Skills
• Practical and theory
• Learn to program in at least one
language
• SuitsTechies and problem solvers .
Experiment with raspberry Pi, PCs,
gadgets
• Visit the computing museum

6. Who might this course suit?
• Do you have excellent maths skills
• Do you have an ability to analyse problems and trace them to their core causes
• Do you have a systematic approach to work and problem solving
• Are you a stickler for accuracy
• Do you have a strong ability to anticipate and diagnose problems
• Do you have the ability to organise and classify large amounts of information
Professionals in the industry do a lot of independent work
writing and testing logic-based code

7. Is Computer Science right for me?
• Have you met the entry requirement?
• Maths - ‘Secure’ at DPA1
• But also, do you have
• Enthusiasm in creating or editing software,
taking apart PCs etc
• Are you interested in how computers work?
• An interest in developing the knowledge and skills you need to be a
competent and informed ICT user and practitioner.

8. Frequently Asked Questions
• Which should I study, Computer Science orVocational ICT?
• They are twoVERY different courses.
• Computer Science is more about how computers work,Vocational ICT is more about
using a computer
Vocational ICT Computer Science
ExcellentTransferrable skills High level technical skills
Practical Digital Media course Learn programming
All resources available at home PracticalTheory
Suits those who prefer coursework SuitsTechies and problem solvers