Computer Science GCSE Specification

Qualification: OCR J277 GCSE (9-1)

QAN Code:

Level:  2

Exam Board: OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA)

What you learn about:
The OCR GCSE (9–1) in Computer Science will encourage 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 of 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 to the individual and to wider society.
• apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.

Computer Systems (J277 Unit 1)

• Systems architecture
• Memory and storage
• Computer networks, connections and protocols
• Network security
• Systems software
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming (J277 Unit 2)

• Algorithms
• Programming fundamentals
• Producing robust programs
• Boolean logic
• Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments

Assessment:

Assessment of the J277 (9-1) OCR GCSE in Computer Science consists of two papers, one focusing on computer systems and one with a focus on programming, computational thinking, and algorithms. Both papers have identical weighting (50/50) and mark allocations (80 marks per paper)

Practical Programming

All students will be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s), either to a specification or to solve a problem (or problems), during their course of study. The practical programming assignment does not count towards the final GCSE grade.