S1 Computing Science 

The S1 course is split into two separate units.  For two periods a week, pupils will be taught how to use the excellent code.org website to develop their programming and computational thinking skills.   For the other period each week, pupils will follow a Computing Systems course designed to introduce the hardware required to run a computer system including input devices, output devices and backing storage devices.  Pupils will also learn about binary numbers  and how computers use binary to represent data.

S2 Computing Science

In S2, pupils rotate through the department twice in the year, and each rotation allows the pupils to follow two programmes of study.

Rotation 1: 

Pupils will spend 2 periods per week studying HTML, and learning to code their own website using this ubiquitous mark up language.

1 period per week is spent studying the wide variety of careers available working with computers, and asking the pupils to understand that anyone can develop a well-paid and meaningful career in the technology industry... not just programmers!

Rotation 2: 

One strand of the course uses a programming environment called Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu/) to learn how to design and program a computer game. They will learn how to create code for a game, as well as evaluate games against a set of common criteria. The Scratch website is free to access, allowing pupils to continue their learning at home if they wish. Pupils study Scratch programming for 2 periods each week.

The other period per week is spent planning and implementing programs using the new BBC micro:bits. These mini-computers are programmed over the web and can be detached and run independently, with a wide variety of functions and capabilities. More information on the micro:bit is available here: www.microbit.org

S3 Computing Science

In Computing Science the pupils undertake courses in Web Design & Development, Security Risks and Precautions, Software Development, Database Design & Development and Computer Systems.  They learn about designing software solutions with pencil and paper, incorporating feedback into their design process and then developing a working solution.  The S3 course develops practical skills alongside theory knowledge to allow the pupils to transition easily into their chosen certificate course in S4.

The course enables learners to develop a range of basic computing and computational thinking skills, including skills in analysis and problem-solving, design and modelling, developing, implementing and testing digital solutions across a range of contemporary contexts.

The course has three mandatory units including the Added Value Unit. 

Software Design and Development.  Learners will develop basic computational thinking and programming skills through practical tasks.  These tasks will involve simple features and straightforward contexts. They will also develop an understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and how programming underpins computer applications.

Information Systems Design and Development.  Learners will implement practical solutions using appropriate development tools to create databases and web-based information systems.  These tasks will involve simple features and straightforward contexts. Learners will also develop an understanding of basic computer hardware, software, connectivity and security issues through a range of practical and investigative tasks.

Added Value Unit. This unit requires the learner to apply skills and knowledge from the other Units to analyse and solve an appropriate challenging computing science problem. 

To achieve the National 4 Computing Science Course, learners must pass all of the required Units including the Added Value Unit.

Click here for more information on this course from the SQA website.

National 5

This course is designed for learners who are considering further study or a career in computing science and related disciplines.  The course highlights how computing professionals are problem-solvers and designers, and the far-reaching impact of information technology on our environment and society. It enables candidates to:

• apply computational-thinking skills across a range of contemporary contexts
• apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes in computing science
• apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation to a range of digital solutions
• communicate computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and concisely using appropriate terminology
• develop an understanding of the role and impact of computing science in changing and influencing our environment and society

The course has four areas of study:

Software design and development.  Candidates develop their programming and computational-thinking skills by implementing practical solutions and explaining how these programs work.  They are expected to analyse problems, and design, implement, test and evaluate their solutions.

Computer systems.  Candidates develop an understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and basic computer architecture.  They gain an awareness of the security precautions that can be taken to protect computer systems.

Database design and development.  Candidates apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools such as SQL.

Web design and development.  Candidates apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools such as HTML, CSS and Javascript.

Click here for more information on this course from the SQA website.

In S5 pupils will undertake the Higher Computing Science course.  This course is designed for pupils who successfully achieve a pass at National 5 Computing Science. 

Higher (please note, this course will change in 2018-19)

The Course provides an understanding of the technologies that underpin our modern, digital world.  At this level, the Course will cover a core of advanced concepts which underpin the study of computing science, and explore the role and impact of contemporary computing technologies.  At this level, learners will be introduced to an advanced range of computational processes and thinking, and learn to apply a rigorous approach to the design and development processes. 

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to:

• develop and apply aspects of computational thinking in a range of contexts
• extend and apply knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and processes in computing science
• apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation and evaluation to a range of digital solutions
• communicate advanced computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and concisely, using appropriate terminology
• develop awareness of current trends in computing technologies and their impact in transforming and influencing our environment and society

On completing the Course, the learners will have developed and strengthened their skills in analysis and problem-solving, software and information system design, development, implementation, testing and evaluation.

Click here for more information on this course from the SQA website.

In S6, pupils who gained an A or B in Higher Computing Science may choose to sit Advanced Higher Computing Science. 

The Advanced Higher Course in Computing Science is not only about learning to use current hardware and software. It is designed to provide candidates with both the necessary knowledge and understanding and the practical problem solving skills to enable them to become the software designers of the future.

The Course provides a broad and challenging look at the development of advanced programming, development and research skills, to gain an understanding of the role and impact of contemporary computing technologies.  The purpose of the Course is to build on the knowledge, understanding and practical skills developed by the learner in the Higher Computing Science Course, and to provide a useful bridge towards study of computing science and other disciplines in higher education

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to:

• understand and apply computational thinking skills across a range of computing contexts
• extend and apply knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and processes in computing science
• apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation to a range of digital solutions with increasingly complex aspects
• apply creative problem-solving skills across a range of contexts
• develop autonomous learning, investigative and research skills
• communicate advanced computing concepts clearly and concisely, using appropriate terminology
• develop an informed understanding of the role and impact of computing technologies in society

The importance of both knowledge and understanding, and related practical skills are reflected in the two outcomes of each unit. The ability to combine knowledge and understanding and practical skills to solve practical problems is a key theme of the Course.

Click here for more information on this course from the SQA website.

H Computing Science
N5 Computing Science