A LEVEL
COMPUTER SCIENCE

What does this qualification cover?

Studying Computer Science will enable students to:

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation
• Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience in solving such problems, including designing, writing, and debugging programs
• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, and critically
• Understand the components that make up digital systems and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
• Understand the impacts of digital technology on the individual and wider society
• Apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science

What’s included?

It covers:

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
• Types of software and the different methodologies used to develop software
• Data exchange between different systems
• Data types, data structures and algorithms
• Legal, moral, cultural, and ethical issues

Component 02: algorithms and programming
This builds on component 01 to include computational thinking and problem-solving.

It covers:

• What is meant by computational thinking (thinking abstractly, thinking ahead, thinking procedurally etc.)
• Problem solving and programming – how computers and programs can be used to solve problems
• Algorithms and how they can be used to describe and solve problems

Component 03: Programming project

• Students apply the principles of computational thinking to a practical programming project. This topic provides the skills to define, analyse, design, develop and evaluate a solution to a problem
• We learn how to program, not just the language, but the techniques required to develop robust programs which are both logically and syntactically correct
• The project is designed to be independently chosen by the student and provides them with the flexibility to investigate projects within the diverse field of computer science. We support a wide and diverse range of languages, like Python, Java and C++

Key Features

The OCR A Level in Computer Science will inspire, motivate and challenge students by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study.

The key features of this specification encourage:

• Emphasis on problem solving using computers
• Emphasis on computer programming and algorithms
• Include agile methods during system development in component 3
• Emphasis on the mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes, e.g., Boolean algebra/logic and comparison of the complexity of algorithms
• Emphasis on network design and security

Links to workplace

By choosing A Level Computer Science one will have access to a wide range of rewarding occupations for example:

• Data Analyst
• Computer technician
• Network Manager
• IT Manager/consultant
• Network design
• Project Manager
• Cybersecurity specialist

The course is also run in parallel with industry qualifications namely: Cisco Networking Academy courses and Palo Alto Academy courses (Cybersecurity).

We would love to hear from you

UTC Heathrow
Potter Street
Northwood
HA6 1QG

Telephone:  01923 602 130
Our office hours are 8am – 4.30pm. Outside of these times, a voicemail service is in operation.

Email : info@heathrow-utc.org

Or complete the form below:

Key contacts

General Enquiries: Info@heathrow-utc.org

Admissions: admissions@heathrow-utc.org

Student Absence: attendance@heathrow-utc.org

Headteacher: Jasmit Kallah (Jasmit.kallah@heathrow-utc.org)

Deputy Head: Ian Wilkins (Ian.Wilkins@heathrow-utc.org)

Assistant Head & DSL (Michelle.Reeves@heathrow-utc.org)

Pastoral Support Manager & DDSL: Sarah Carey (Sarah.Carey@heathrow-utc.org)

SENDCO: Anita Nayyar (Anita.nayyar@heathrow-utc.org)

FIND US

 We are within walking distance from Northwood Hills Tube station on the Metropolitan line, and the area is well served by local buses on Pinner Road and Joel Street.

Please note, as part of our Green Travel Plan, we do not allow our older students to bring cars to the UTC.

Get directions on Google Maps.