Computing science is vital to everyday life – on social, technological and economic levels. It shapes the world in which we live and its future. Computing is embedded in the world around us, from systems and devices in our homes to our places of work. It has also changed the way we learn, relax, travel and communicate.
Learning computing science will give you many benefits apart from learning about technology. You will learn valuable transferable work and life skills, such as being able to solve problems in a logical way, think creatively and handle information.
The skills you learn in this course are useful in lots of different job areas. These include science, communications, entertainment, education, business and industry.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Uniformed and Security Services
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
The course consists of four areas of study.
Software design and development
Development methodologies, Analysis, Design, Implementation (data types and structures), Implementation (data types and structures); Implementation (algorithm specification), Testing, and Evaluation.
Computer systems
Data representation, Computer structure, Environmental impact, and Security risks and precautions.
Database design and development
Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing, and Evaluation.
Web design and development
Analysis, Design, Implementation (CSS), Implementation (HTML), Implementation (JavaScript), Testing, and Evaluation.
The course assessment has two components totalling 160 marks (120 marks for the 2022-23 session):
For the assignment component you will be given three tasks to complete, by solving computing science problems in the areas of software design and development, database design and development and web design and development. You will gain marks for use of the following skills on each task: analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation.
Both the question paper and the assignment are set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
