computer science coursework gcse

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GCSE Computer Science

• Specification
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Specification at a glance

Subject content.

• Scheme of assessment
• Programming skills
• General administration

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.

• 3.1 Fundamentals of algorithms
• 3.2 Programming
• 3.3 Fundamentals of data representation
• 3.4 Computer systems
• 3.5 Fundamentals of computer networks
• 3.6 Cyber security
• 3.7 Relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
• 3.8 Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy

Assessments

Teach Computer Science

AQA GCSE (9-1) Computer Science Teaching Resources & Lesson Plans

AQA GCSE (9-1) Computer Science mapping file. Download our comprehensive teaching resources and use the mapping table to align to the AQA examination board. Updated and aligned to the new 2020 specification.

Congrats, you’ve almost made it – you’re about to get a GCSE in Computer Science! It’s likely starting to dawn on you that your exams are around the corner and that you have a lot to prepare. But don’t worry, help is here! We’ve got all the guidance you need to get you on track to acing all of your exams! First thing’s first – do you have a revision plan? If not, it’s time to create a well-structured and thought out study plan. Once you have that half of the job is done. All that’s left is to follow it diligently until exam day. To support you as you prepare for your GCSE Computer Science exams, here’s all you have to know about them and how we can help you.

GCSE subject content is most often quite standardised across the different examination board to give everyone an equal chance to do well and be prepared for future studies. However, there are some small and common differences between what each exam board places most weight on during exams. AQA, in particular, is known for placing a lot of emphasis on theory. This means you should have your definitions and theories ready for exam day as you are likely to be tested on them directly (not just through context-based questions).

About the Board

For some history and context, AQA (or the Assessment and Qualification Alliance) is an exam board that was created all the way in 2000 after a series of mergers of exam boards in the 1990s. It has grown into one of the largest exam boards in the country as it offers a very wide range of secondary school certifications. In the parliament, Westminster has debated whether GCSE courses should be graded in a modular or linear way. Currently, the AQA Computer Science course is linear, which means that you can only get your qualification if you sit all of your exams at the end of the course and pass.

How long will the course take to complete?

Most people take two years to complete the GCSE Computer Science course. But, bear in mind that it is possible to do it in less time (one academic year) or to start early and take more time (three years).

Is any prior knowledge required?

AQA does not ask for any prior knowledge or course completion in order for you to take the GCSE Computer Science course.

What will I study?

Throughout your AQA GCSE Computer Science course you will learn about the fundamentals of algorithms; programming; fundamentals of data representation; computer systems; fundamentals of computer networks; fundamentals of cybersecurity; ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy; aspects of software development; and, programming project. In addition, you’ll also get to do a programming project.

What is the examination process like?

The examination process to get your GCSE Computer Science certificate consists of two written papers and one programming project. The first written assessment (Computational Thinking and Problem Solving) will last 1 hour and 30 minutes and count for 50% of your final grade. The second written paper (Written Assessment) will test your theoretical knowledge and last 1 hour and 30 minutes, also counting for 50% of your final mark. Finally, while the programming project doesn’t count toward your final grade, you are required to complete it. The purpose of the project is to develop your ability to use the knowledge and skills you gained throughout the course to solve a problem. You will be required to produce a computer programme to solve the programming project and to write a report totalling 20 hours of timetabled work.

You are advised to revise for a few hours each day in order to prepare for your GCSE Computer Science exams. Two to three hours a day would be ideal as this would give you enough time to enter deep learning without risking burnout. While you are revising computer science, you are advised to stay away from distractions on your computer during revision hours. Keep them as a treat for the end of the revision session instead and watch your productivity improve.

Revision though, especially for a practical subject like this, is much more than just reading textbooks. One of the good ways to spend your revision time is to make mind maps and flashcards. You can not only use what you create for later revision but the very process of making it will help you retain more information! As time passes, begin to do timed practice papers by using past exam papers. Chances are, you haven’t done too many exams under timed conditions yet. This is a great way to test yourself and learn how to manage your time under pressure ahead of the big day. Those of us at GCSE Computer Science are cheering for you. To help you succeed we’ve got many different revision resources like mind maps, quizzes and past papers waiting for you. So let’s get started!

Component 2

2.2 Programming Fundamentals

Variables, constants, operators, inputs, outputs and assignments, sequence, selection and iteration, arithmetic and boolean operators.

• Variable - points to a named section of memory where a value is stored. The value can change during the program’s execution.
• Constant - points to a named section of memory where a value is stored. The value cannot change during the program’s execution.
• Assignment — the process of storing a value in a variable / constant. Performed with the equals sign (=) when programming.
• Operators - perform a calculation e.g. +, -, *, /, MOD, DIV.
• Inputs - enters data into the program.
• Outputs - displays the results of processing.

Instructions are executed in order from top to bottom until told to stop. This is the basic way that programs work.

The program will branch to a different section depending on the result of a comparison. In simple terms — this is an IF statement. Many languages have an alternative statement called a switch statement.

A section of the program is repeated either a certain number of times or until a condition is no longer true. In simple terms this will be either a FOR loop or a WHILE loop.

The process of converting one data type to another. See below example of casting to an integer and string.

Isaac Computer Science

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• GCSE Computer Science Revision

Join 2,500,000 GCSE students who have used the #1 Computer Science revision tool. Proven to be 2x more effective than revision guides - Seneca is exactly what you need for your exams. All the content is produced by senior examiners so that you're fully prepared for your GCSE exams. Algorithms, Computer Systems, and Computer Networks - it's all covered in the free courses.

Join 2,500,000+ Students Revising for Computer Science with Seneca

Free Computer Science Revision

Why Do So Many GCSE Students Use Seneca for Computer Science Revision?

• Exam quality content written by the best senior examiners & subject experts
• Exam board specific free online courses - OCR, AQA, iGCSE (the full works)
• Proven by neuroscientists to be 2x more effective
• FREE to use
• More entertaining than your standard revision guides or textbooks

So how can I learn 2x faster you might think? Well, Seneca's algorithm that determines what question to repeat and in what format has been shaped by neuroscientists using principles such as visual imagery, interleaving, and spacing. This means that your weak topics will be repeated in loads of different formats & we will make recommendations on what you should do when. All of this can help you outperform traditional study guides - perhaps even the old guy with sunglasses and all! So, are you interested in giving it a go? Try it out below:

Get 1-1 Tutoring for Computer Science

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Gcse computer science (9-1) - j277.

If you are delivering this qualification, go to Teach Cambridge for complete planning, teaching and assessment support materials.

Our GCSE in Computer Science is engaging and practical, encouraging creativity and problem solving. It encourages students to develop their understanding and application of the core concepts in computer science. Students also analyse problems in computational terms and devise creative solutions by designing, writing, testing and evaluating programs.

Specification code: J277 Qualification number: 601/8355/X This qualification is available in English only

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Upcoming professional development

Starting to teach: gcse computer science j277 (webinar).

CPD course •   Online webinar • FREE •  GCSE Computer Science (9-1) - J277

Date: 10 May 2024 1:30pm-4pm

Choosing OCR: GCSE Computer Science J277 (Webinar)

Date: 05 Jun 2024 4pm-5pm

Ask the Examiner: GCSE Computer Science J277 (Online Q&A)

Date: 13 Jun 2024 4pm-5pm

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GCSE Computer Science

For help with e-submission process click here.

• Key Documents
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There is NO NEA unit for WJEC GCSE Computer Science in 2022.

Our GCSE Computer Science specification enables centres to concentrate on innovative delivery by having a streamlined, uncomplicated, future proof structure, with realistic technological requirements.

The specification provides learners with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computer science and a broad range of study opportunities. It also gives learners an opportunity to produce extended written responses and demonstrate the quality of their written communication, including appropriate use of punctuation and grammar.

Build your own exam paper choosing from thousands of past paper questions.

OER is a free interactive teaching and learning tool which includes exam answers and examiner comments.

Important information, past papers, marking schemes, entry/amendment uploads & make post-results enquiries.

We offer an extensive range of free digital educational resources.

This subject uses e-submission for candidate work for moderated or assessed units and components.

Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade.

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Computer Science GCSE still requires coursework – but no marks are awarded

Until this week, coursework made up one fifth of the marks for all GCSE Computer Science students’ grades in that subject. But, following the United Kingdom’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation ( Ofqual ) uncovering of alarming rates of cheating , this has ended.

Will students rely solely on their exam results then? For their grades, yes, but this will not make up the entirety of the course.

Computer Science pupils will still be expected to complete the same coursework as before – however it will gain them no marks.

In November 2017 , Ofqual addressed countless reports of leaked answers on online forums and websites. In response to this, it launched a consultation to review the qualification.

'Students and teachers will feel dismay and disappointment … but @ofqual couldn't stand on the sidelines': my comments on the GCSE Computer Science 'leaked questions' story for @ASCL_UK @BBCNews : https://t.co/MLjfnQqu9E pic.twitter.com/cmtwxKNPXw — Geoff Barton (@RealGeoffBarton) January 9, 2018

More than 2,500 students and teachers responded to the consultation and it was decided the “ current situation is untenable ”.

Ofqual chief executive Sally Collier said : “We are pleased that so many teachers and students took the time to respond to our consultation. A clear majority of respondents agree that there are currently shortcomings with the non-exam assessment that could unfairly advantage some students.

“While the tasks themselves will no longer contribute to students’ grades, we strongly believe that learning about a high-level programming language and having the opportunity to show how it can be used to solve problems is hugely important.

“We believe these changes will make the qualification as fair as it can be for all students.”

We announced today that non-exam assessment will not count to the final 9 to 1 grade in GCSE computer science. More information: https://t.co/odmVMWniWw We know not everyone will agree with the decision but most respondents (75%) to our consultation thought changes should be made — Ofqual (@ofqual) January 8, 2018

The Telegraph reported one student asked online for help designing a piece of software. Soon enough the first response came in with a full solution. This post has now been viewed over 2,500 times.

Ofqual described how a “simple search” for a key requirement of a task on one popular forum brought up more than 40 pages of results.

“The speed with which the tasks appeared online and the number of times the discussions and solutions were viewed threatened the integrity of this aspect of the qualification,” the report by Ofqual explained.

Computer Science is a relatively new subject – it became part of the curriculum three years ago – in which the Government is heavily invested. The Chancellor pledged £84 million in the November budget toward the training of an additional 8,000 GCSE Computer Science teachers. It also declared plans to treble the number of teachers specialising in Computer Science.

Botched computing test won't count towards final GCSE grades after content was leaked last year, says @ofqual https://t.co/6VahNJM7zX — Schools Week (@SchoolsWeek) January 9, 2018

The BBC reported Ofqual told students the decision was made “with reluctance” but “we do not want anyone to have an unfair advantage”.

“While not contributing to your grade, the task will continue to be an important part of the qualification,” Ofqual’s director for general qualifications, Julie Swan, wrote in a letter to students.

“Learning about a high-level programming language and having the opportunity to show that you can use it to solve problems is an important aspect of a computer science course of study.

“We know that not everyone will agree with our decision. However, if we do not act now, it would be impossible for us to correct any unfairness caused by rules being broken.”

Disappointed my Y11 wasted 20 hours on an NEA task that won't count. Absolutely fuming that my Y10 will have to waste 20 hours on an NEA task that won't count, doesnt need any formal assessment or feedback. Ofqual backed time wasting #gcse #computerscience — Khawer Ishtiaq (@kishtiaq) January 8, 2018

Many Year 11 students have already completed huge amounts of their coursework which will now effectively go to waste. The decision is likely to be met with frustration from Year 10 students as well. They will have to complete the coursework from scratch but gain no marks toward their final grade from it.

“Finding out halfway through the year that their hard work will no longer count toward their final grade is a particular source of disappointment for students,” Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told the BBC.

The new regulations will affect students due to undertake the qualification in 2018 and 2019. Ofqual is yet to decide on the future of the course structure beyond 2019.

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Thank you for considering an application

To apply you’ll need to:

• Make note of the Queen Mary institution code: Q50

Computer Science

• G400 — BSc (Hons)
• G402 — BSc (Hons) with Industrial Experience
• G40Y — BSc (Hons) with Year Abroad
• G401 — MSci (Hons)
• G41Y — MSci (Hons) with Year Abroad
• Click on the link below: Apply on UCAS

Have further questions? How to apply | Entry requirements

5 study options

Computer science bsc (hons), key information.

*These fees are for the 2024-25 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2025-26 have not yet been set.

Computer Science with Industrial Experience BSc (Hons)

Computer science with year abroad bsc (hons), year abroad cost.

Finances for studying abroad on exchange

Computer Science MSci (Hons)

Computer science with year abroad msci (hons), entry requirements, about the school.

With the digital world rapidly evolving in every industry, find yourself at the forefront of solving today’s biggest technological challenges.

Is blockchain the future? Can we predict when the next big earthquake will happen? How can we stop the next major cyber-attack? Can artificial intelligence solve humanity's biggest problems? Technology is part of our future, and it is up to people like you to decide how it will impact and shape our world.

Machine learning, data science, web programming, computer networks and security engineering – these are just a few of the areas you can explore. With your newfound skills, figure out how to design software solutions that address cutting-edge challenges in science, engineering, healthcare, and many other areas.

Open the doors to a lucrative career  

Taught by our award-winning and research-leading academic team, you’ll be able to choose which areas to specialise in. Tailor your modules to your interests and career aspirations, such as big data, computer games or social network analysis. 

Ranked 8th for computer science in the UK by Times Higher Education (2024) and joint 1st for impact in the last Research Assessment Framework (2021), the research that underpins our course really has been built to reflect the global challenges of today. We’re also accredited by the BCS, meaning that what you learn here meets the high standards of industry. 

After graduating, a career in computer science could see you testing trading systems at an investment bank, designing artificial intelligence algorithms for healthcare, or researching innovations in computer vision, music and speech. What will you choose? 

Professional recognition

Our Computer Science BSc has been accredited by BCS , The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. This programme is also accredited by BCS , The Chartered Institute for IT, on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Our MSci Computer Science programme has been accredited by BCS , The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. It has also been accredited by BCS , The Chartered Institute for IT, on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

You can complete your Computer Science degree in three, four or five years. Industrial Experience and Year Abroad options will take place in the third year of study for BSc students. If you are an MSci student and choose to study abroad, this will take place in your fourth year of study.

• ECS401U - Procedural Programming (15 credits)
• ECS404U - Computer Systems and Networks (15 credits)
• ECS407U - Logic and Discrete Structures (15 credits)
• ECS427U - Professional and Research Practice (15 credits)
• ECS414U - Object Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• ECS417U - Fundamentals of Web Technology (15 credits)
• ECS419U - Information Systems Analysis (15 credits)
• ECS421U - Automata and Formal Languages (15 credits)

Find out more about module descriptions and assessment in our module directory.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

• ECS505U - Software Engineering (15 credits)
• ECS509U - Probability and Matrices (15 credits)
• ECS519U - Database Systems (15 credits
• ECS529U - Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
• ECS506U - Software Engineering Project (15 credits)
• ECS518U - Operating Systems (15 credits)
• ECS522U - Graphical User Interfaces (15 credits)                 
• ECS524U - Internet Protocols and Applications (15 credits)

Optional summer internship

ECS620U - Optional credit-bearing summer internship (15 credits), offered between second and final year.

• ECS635U - Project (30 credits)

Choose three from:

• ECS607U - Data Mining (15 credits)
• ECS610U - Computer Graphics (15 credits)
• ECS638U - Design for Human Interaction (15 credits)
• ECS639U - Web Programming (15 credits) 
• ECS640U - Big Data Processing (15 credits)
• ECS642U - Embedded Systems (15 credits) 
• ECS651U - Computability, Complexity and Algorithms 15 credits)
• ECS657U - Multi-platform Games Development (15 credits)
• ECS658U - Further Object Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• ECS671U - Semi-Structured Data Engineering (15 credits) 
• ECS635U - Project (continued) (30 credits)
• ECS605U - Image Processing (15 credits)
• ECS622U - Product Development (15 credits)
• ECS637U - Digital Media and Social Networks (15 credits)
• ECS647U - Bayesian Decision and Risk Analysis  (15 credits)
• ECS652U - Compilers (15 credits) (pre requisite ECS421U)
• ECS655U - Security Engineering (15 credits)
• ECS656U - Distributed Systems (15 credits)
• ECS659U - Neural Networks and Deep Learning (15 credits)
• ECS661U - User Experience Design (15 credits)

Optional modules are subject to timetabling constraints and module availability.

• ECS7019U - Advanced Group Project (30 credits)
• ECS708U - Machine Learning (15 credits)
• ECS709U - Introduction to Computer Vision (15 credits)
• ECS712U - Design for Human Interaction (15 credits)
• ECS713U - Functional Programming (15 credits)
• ECS763U - Natural Language Processing (15 credits)
• ECS7018U - Logic in Computer Science (15 credits)
• ECS7019U - Advanced Group Project (continued) (30 credits)
• ECS726U - Security Authentication (15 credits)
• ECS733U - Interactive Systems Design (15 credits)
• ECS736U - Information Retrieval (15 credits)
• ECS784U - Data Analytics (15 credits)
• ECS797U - Machine Learning for Visual Data Analysis (15 credits)
• ECS7011U - Quantum Programming (15 credits)
• ECS7028U - Data Semantics (15 credits)

Study options

Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.

Year in industry

This degree can be taken with an optional industrial experience year, spent working in a role related to your field of study. This is taken in your third year of studies. Past students have worked with companies including:

• Canon Europe
• GlaxoSmithKline
• The Walt Disney Company

Find out more about degrees with industrial experience .

Please note that industrial   placements are highly competitive and awarded based on application, academic track record and performance at interview. If you are not successful in securing a placement, your third year will be spent at Queen Mary completing your studies.

Add on an integrated masters to gain specialised knowledge through completing a high-level group project and your choice of advanced modules.  Our MSci meets the academic requirements for registration as both a Chartered IT Professional with BCS, and Chartered Engineer with IET.

Year abroad

Go global and add an optional year abroad to your degree. Our School has a wide range of international partners all over the world.

Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary .

Please note - you can either do a year in industry or a year abroad - you cannot combine these options.

"The thing I like most about my course is the breadth of topics that it covers, from delving into the depths and intricacies of computer design, to understanding fundamental concepts in programming, to good defensive design and system structure, and the mathematical concepts that push the limits of computation. Additionally, students are encouraged to do their own reading and study, to pursue knowledge in areas where passion for your subject can thrive and grow." Paul, BSc Computer Science, quoted in 2023

Teaching and learning

You’ll spend 15 to 20 hours per week in lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials. You will also be expected to complete additional hours of independent study. You’ll meet with your personal advisor regularly to ensure that you are settling in and progressing well.

Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework (presentations, assignments, essay report writing, in-class tests, research and project work) and/or examinations in May or June.

Individual and group projects are assessed through a written report, practical demonstration and oral examination.

Resources and facilities

As a student, your home will be the Mile End campus. ​  You'll spend lots of time in our Informatics Teaching Lab (ITL), which is only used by Electronic Engineering and Computer Science students. This lab is made up of 300 fully networked multimedia workstations, which run both the Linux and Windows operating systems. Network ports are also provided for students choosing to use their own laptops for practical work. The ITL is due to undergo a £5.8 million refurbishment, funded by the Office for Students.

The labs are open seven days a week, generally between 8am and midnight. Students can also gain remote access to the School’s computing facilities 24-hours a day.

We also have a number of students employed as 'module demonstrators', who are available in labs to help first and second-year students to navigate software and programming tools.

Computer Science - BSc (Hons)

Computer Science with Industrial Experience - BSc (Hons)

Computer Science with Year Abroad - BSc (Hons)

Computer Science - MSci (Hons)

Computer Science with Year Abroad - MSci (Hons)

Non-UK students

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.

If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry onto this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme .

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements , including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

See our full entry requirements .

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.

Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

• additional sources of funding
• planning your budget and cutting costs
• part-time and vacation work
• money for lone parents.

Graduate destinations

A career in computer science could see you developing new software at an investment bank, maintaining cloud systems at a charity, or researching innovations in computer vision, music or speech.

In addition to tech companies, your skills are in-demand across a range of employers, including start-up businesses, finance, health, media, and public sector organisations.

Recent graduates of this course are now working in roles such as:

• Software Engineer
• Software Developer
• DevOps Engineer
• Technology Analyst
• Data Scientist

at organisations such as:

• J.P. Morgan
• the Civil Service

Career support

Our Careers and Enterprise service run regular employability events and workshops, and host industry speakers on campus. We have recently welcomed speakers from companies including IBM, Amazon Web Services and FDM Group.

The Queen Mary careers team can offer:

• specialist advice on choosing a career path,
• support with finding work experience, internships and jobs,
• feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms,
• interview coaching.

Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.

We also have an industrial placement advisor within our School, who supports students with finding and applying to year-long placements.

Data for these courses

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

The  School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science  carries out world-class research – and applies it to real-world problems. Being taught by someone who is changing the world with their ideas makes for exciting lectures, and helps you to stay ahead of the curve in your field. 99 per cent of our research is classed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2021).

We are proud of our excellent student-staff relations, and our diverse student body, made up of learners from more than 60 countries.

The School has a close-knit student community, who take part in competitions and extracurricular lab activities.

School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science

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Computer Science - OCR

Easy-to-understand homework and revision materials for your GCSE Computer Science OCR '9-1' studies and exams

Part of Computer Science

Exam practice

GCSE Computer Science: exam-style questions

Get ready for your OCR computer science GCSE exams with free interactive tests and feedback to improve your knowledge of binary, programming techniques and more.

GCSE Computer Science: quick-fire questions

Free interactive OCR computer science GCSE questions based on past papers. Boost your knowledge of algorithms, computer systems, data structures and more.

Computer systems

Systems architecture - OCR

Von Neumann architecture provides the basis for the majority of the computers we use today. The fetch-decode-execute cycle describes how a processor functions.

Memory and storage - OCR

Primary memory is a key component of a computer system. Its function is to hold data and programs that are currently in use.

Units and data representation - OCR

All data is represented as binary digits, whether it is numbers, text, images or sound. Calculations are also done in binary.

Computer networks and topologies - OCR

Networks can be arranged in different topologies. Encryption is used to ensure that messages can be sent securely over a network.

Wired and wireless networks - OCR

Networking computers brings many benefits to users. Without networking, many computing applications would not be possible.

Network security - OCR

Networks operate on the principles of communication and sharing. Unfortunately, these principles mean that network traffic and data can be more easily subject to access by people who have no authority to do so.

Systems software - OCR

A computer is controlled by systems software. Operating systems provide this control, while utilities help to maintain the system.

Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology - OCR

The use of computers has brought about ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts. These issues increasingly affect people's daily lives.

Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Computational thinking - OCR

Computers can be used to help solve problems. However, before a problem can be tackled, it must first be understood. Computational thinking helps us to solve problems.

Designing, creating and refining algorithms - OCR

Algorithms are step-by-step plans for solving problems. Algorithms can be designed using pseudocode and flow diagrams.

Searching and sorting algorithms - OCR

Sorting and searching are two of the most frequently needed algorithms in program design. Standard algorithms have evolved to take account of this need.

Programming fundamentals - OCR

Programs are designed using common building blocks, known as programming constructs. These programming constructs form the basis for all programs.

Data types and programming techniques - OCR

Proficient programming requires knowledge of many techniques. These techniques allow for powerful, complex programs.

Producing robust programs - OCR

Programs must run correctly or they are of little value. Careful planning and testing of a program are essential, as is writing maintainable code.

Boolean logic - OCR

At the simplest level, computers are little more than a collection of transistors and circuits. They connect together to form logic gates, which in turn are used to form logic circuits.

Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments - OCR

Translators are needed to translate programs written in high level languages into the machine code that a computer understands. Tools exist to help programmers develop error-free code.

Study skills

Decompostion and algorithm practice questions - OCR

Every programming problem needs decomposing so that it can be properly understood. From this, an algorithm can be designed and tested.

How to tackle essay-style questions - OCR

Essay-style questions are worth a lot of marks. They test not only understanding, but whether or not your knowledge and understanding can be put into a coherent argument.

Computer Science exam practice

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