COMPUTING SCIENCE
SCQF LEVEL 5 - National 5
Computing Science is vital to modern life – socially, technologically and economically – shaping our world and its future. Computing is embedded all around us, from devices in the home and workplace, to how we access education, entertainment, services and communication. Understanding computational processes and thinking is vital to many other fields including science, economics, business and industry.
QUALIFICATION
National 5
DURATION
1 Year full time/
5 periods per week
COURSEWORK
An extended practical assignment done in class and marked by SQA
(31% of the final award)
EXAM
Two hour written
examination.
(69% of the final award)
COST
None
TEACHERS
Miss Collett
Mr Speirs
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
Like it or not, you are living in the Digital Age! There are now estimated to be over three billion Internet users worldwide and in the last two years alone, 90% of the World’s data was generated. Given that this trend is only going to continue, there has never been a better time to study Computing Science. By studying Nat 5 Computing Science you will get an insight into many of the technologies that drive the modern world, potentially laying the foundations for a career in a wide range of STEM related areas. Regardless of whether you see yourself as the next Bill Gates or are just a casual internet user who wants to know their bits from their bytes and their RAM from their ROM, Computing Science is relevant to you!
Nat 5 Computing Science is composed of four taught units delivered from June to January, with the remainder of the academic year being devoted to the course assignment and revision.
Software Design & Development
In this unit pupils develop their computational-thinking and practical problem-solving skills by designing, writing and testing a variety of computer programs using the Visual Basic development environment.
Computer Systems
In this unit pupils gain an understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and learn about the basics of computer architecture. They will also gain an awareness of the environmental impact of computing systems and learn about the security precautions that can be taken to protect computer systems from the threats posed by computer viruses and hackers.
Database Design and Development
In this unit pupils will develop their practical problem-solving skills in database design and development through a range of practical and investigative tasks. Using their computational-thinking skills, pupils will design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools such as SQL.
Web Design and Development
In this unit pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding and practical problem-solving skills in web design and development by analysing, designing, implement, testing and evaluating practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
KEY FACTS
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
entry requirements
To undertake Computing Science at National 5 level, pupils are required to have a good understanding of the Computing outcomes studied in S1 and S2.
what will you get?
A National 5 level award in Computing Science.
The course is graded
A: Band 1, Band 2
B: Band 3, Band 4
C: Band 5, Band 6
D: Band 7
progress
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
EMPLOYMENT
This course is suitable for all learners who are interested in becoming any of the following:
Web Developer,
Software Engineer,
IT Trainer,
Astronomer,
Database Administrator,
Games Developer,
Network Manager,
Forensic Computer Analyst,
Airline Pilot
my world of work
This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects.
STUDENT STORIES
Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.
Aidan Sharp - S4
I picked computing science because computers have always interested me and I'd like to learn more about how they work, and how computers are designed. In the rise of technology recently being able to code is increasingly important. I have enjoyed the HTML tasks and learning how to design code and test it out. I would definitely take computing science again.
Sarah Bain - S4
I picked this course because I think knowing how to use a computer and code is an important skill to know and useful for the future. I have enjoyed the practical tasks and learning the theory behind how the programs work. I would recommend this course to other pupils as it is interesting and a skill you won't learn in any other subject.
