GCSE Computer Science
KS4 GCSE Computer Science
Computer Science is a super technical course covering the ins and outs of everything computer-y. Students who choose to study this course should have a real interest in computing, technology and most importantly, learning how to program. Throughout the course, students will cover a wide range of content, from the workings of a processor, to creating networks to programming in Python.
The course is split up into two equally weighted components, each examined with a terminal paper based exam, sat at the end of Year 11 alongside core GCSE’s.
Component 1: Computer Systems
- Von Neumann architecture and the CPU
- RAM, ROM and Storage
- Network Hardware, Connections and Performance
- Security Threats, Hacking and Cyber Warfare
- System Software, Operating Systems and Utilities
- Ethical Issues – Rise of the Machines?!
Component 2: Computational Thinking
- Python Programming
- Computational Algorithms
- Logic Calculations
- Data Representation
- Data Types