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
This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
The course comprises three areas of study.
Software design and development
You will:
Database design and development
You will:
Web design and development
You will:
Course assessment
The course assessment consists of two components totalling 135 marks:
The question paper has three sections. Section 1 is mandatory and you have the option of completing either Section 2 or Section 3:
For the project component you will be asked to design, develop, implement, test and evaluate a digital solution to a complex problem and demonstrate advanced skills in computer programming. The project must be based on either: software design and development; database design and development; or web design and development.
Both the question papers and the project 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.
Further study, training or employment in: