A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE
Why study Computer Science?
Why study Computer Science? Learn how to program! The area of computer science is an exciting one, with major advances taking place in the development of both hardware and software. You will learn about all aspects of computer science. This course is aimed at all students, whether you have studied ICT or Computing at GCSE. We do not assume any previous experience of programming and we will start from scratch. Students who enjoy problem solving often thrive in Computing.
What will you study?
Fundamentals of programming
1. Programming basics
2. Programming concepts
3. Basic operations in programming languages
4. Subroutines, local and global variables
5. Structured programming
6. Object – oriented programming concepts Practice questions
Fundamentals of data structures
7. Data Structures and abstract data types
8. Queues and stacks
9. Graphs and trees
10. Hash tables and dictionaries
11. Vectors Practice questions
Section Three
Fundamentals of algorithms
12. Graph and tree transversal
13. Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm
14. Search algorithms – binary, binary tree and linear search
15. Reverse Polish Notation
16. Sorting algorithms – bubble and merge Practice questions
Fundamentals of computational thinking
17. Abstraction and automation
18. Finite state machine
19. The Turing machine
20. Regular and context – free languages
21. Maths for regular expressions
22. Big 0 notation and classification of algorithms Practice questions
Section Five
Fundamentals of data representation
23. Number systems
24. Number bases
25. The binary system
26. Coding systems
27. Encryption Practice questions
Fundamentals of computer systems
28. Hardware and software
29. Classification of programming languages and translation
30. Boolean algebra
31. Logic gates Practice questions
Section Seven
Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
32. Internal hardware of a computer
33. The stored program concept and processor components
34. The processor instruction set and addressing modes
35. External hardware devices Practice questions
Section Eight
Fundamentals of uses of computing
36. Moral, ethical, legal and cultural issues
Fundamentals of communication and networking
37. Communication basics
38. Networks
39. The Internet
40. Internet security
41. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
42. The client – sever model Practice questions
Section Ten
Fundamentals of databases
43. Relational databases
44. Structured query language (SQL)
45. Big data Practice questions
Fundamentals of functional programming
46. Basics of functional programming
47. Writing functional programs Practice questions
Section Twelve
Software development
48. Aspects of software development
49. Non – exam assessment (NEA)
SECTION ONE – COMPUTERS AND HARDWARE
Computers
Input Devices
Output Devices – Printers
Other Kinds of Output Device
Storage Devices – ROM and RAM
Data Storage – Backing Storage
Revision Summary for Section One
SECTION TWO – OPERATING SYSTEMD AND APPLICATIONS
Operating Systems
Operating Systems – Organisation of data
Operating Systems – User Interfaces
Application Software
Everyday Tips and Problems
Revision Summary for Section Two
SECTION THREE – SPREADSHEETS AND DATABASES
SPREADSHEETS – The Basics
SPREADSHEETS – Entering Data
SPREADSHEETS – Simple Formulas
SPREADSHEETS – Functions
SPREADSHEETS – Charts and Graphs
SPREADSHEETS – Modelling
Databases – The Basics
Databases – Entering Data
Databases – Accessing Data
Databases – Reports
Revision Summary for Section Three
SECTION FOUR – WORD PROCESSING AND DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Word Processing and DTP – Uses
Text Formatting
Improving Presentation
Advanced Features
Mail Merge
Revision Summary for Section Four
Web Design Software
Audio and Video Software
Graphics Software
Animation Software
Programming Software
Revision Summary for Section Five
SECTION SIX – MEASURMENT AND CONTROL
Logging Period and Interval
Control Systems
Control Systems – Two Examples
Simulations
Robots and Control Language
Revision Summary for Section Six
SECTION SEVEN – NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATION
LAN and Wan
Network Topologies
The Internet
Internet Security
Web Browsing
Modern Communication Methods
Social Networking
Digital TV Systems
Home Entertainment Systems
Revision Summary for Section Seven
SECTION EIGHT – MAKING ICT SYSTEMS
Systems Life Cycle and System Analysis
More System Analysis
Design – Input Process and Output
Design – Top Down and Data Flow
Design – System Flowcharts
Implementation and Testing
Documentation, Evaluation, and Maintenance
Revision Summary for Section Eight
SECTION NINE – PROCESSING INFORMATION
Searching for Information
Data Collection
Checking Data
IKBS and Expert Systems
Revision Summary for Section Nine
SECTION TEN – OTHER ICT ISSUES
Hardware and Data Security
Health and Safety Issues
Computers and the Workplace
Computers and People
Collaborative Working
Collaborative Working and Software
Collaborative Working and Sharing Info
Online Behaviour
Inequality and Disability
Political and Environmental Issues
Revision Summary for Section Ten