Computer Science
If you want to know how programs tell computers what to do, and how to write a program that tells a computer to do what you want it to, then you should study Computer Science. No prior experience of computing or programming is needed, you will pick up these skills confidently in the first few weeks.
In the Computer Science course, you ask and answer questions such as
- How does a computer use recursion to generate fractals?
- How does a computer sort and search data?
- How do you use Big-O to measure the efficiency of an algorithm?
- How do De Morgan’s laws help simplify Boolean algebra?
- How do you use logic circuits to manipulate numbers?
- How do A* and Dijkstra’s algorithm find the shortest path in a network?
Throughout the course you solve problems using a range of programming and markup tools, including C#, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Little Man Computer (LMC). You tackle weekly programming challenges to apply your logic skills to produce efficient and logical code. You can explore topics such as set theory and graph theory, which also form part of Decision Mathematics, by writing your own efficient and reliable code. Your confidence to do so will make you very appealing to future employers.
There are many super-curricular opportunities for you, including
- BEBRAS competition
- British Informatics Olympiad
- BAFTA Young Game Designer (won in 2024 by an LMaStudent!)
- Cyber Switch up
- Preparation for university entrance assessments (e.g. TMUA, MAT)
IF Computer Science THEN many opportunities
Computer Science opens the door to a wide range of careers not only within specialist IT companies but also in the very many companies who use computers – and, increasingly AI – in almost every sector of industry, commerce, government and education. Can you think of a company that doesn’t use computers to collect and analyse data, that doesn’t use computers to make models and predictions, that doesn’t use computers to track and evaluate projects?
Computer scientists are always in high demand for technical roles such as data analysts, engineers and software developers, and also more widely for roles in management, analysis, consultancy, training and research. Computer Science is a highly regarded subject when you apply for competitive universities and degree apprenticeships, because of the analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills you develop through the course.
Exam board
Key Topics
| Processors Operating Systems Software Development Networks Web Technologies Boolean Logic and Algebra Legislation and Ethical Issues Computational Thinking Searches and Sorts | Concurrent Programming Object Oriented Programming Recursion Big-O notation Shortest Path Algorithms PageRank and Indexing Advanced Data Structures Encryption and Hashing Stages of compilation |
In Year 13 you complete an independent project. You analyse, design, develop, and evaluate a solution to a problem, for example using Unity and C# to create a 2D or 3D game.
Assessment
- Paper 1: Computer system, 140 marks, 150-minute exam (non-calculator)
- Paper 2: Algorithms and programming, 140 marks, 150-minute exam (non-calculator)
- Paper 3: Programming Project, 70 marks, Non-Exam Assessment, a project that you analyse, design, develop, and evaluate
“We live in a world where technology is ever-changing and evolving. Computer Science allows young people to have open-mindedness and understanding in the face of the new and unknown.” Yvette