Computer Science

Fundamentals of programming

This topic covers the fundamental principles of imperative programming, including data types, control structures, and subroutines. It emphasizes the structured approach to program design, the use of meaningful identifiers, and the application of arithmetic, relational, and Boolean operations to solve computational problems.

E2E stub topic

This subtopic delves into end-to-end (E2E) testing, a methodology where the entire application flow is validated from start to finish. Students explore how E2E tests simulate real user scenarios, ensuring that integrated components—such as databases, networks, and user interfaces—function together as expected. Practical application involves designing and executing test cases that mirror actual user behaviour, critical for verifying system reliability before deployment.

E2E stub subtopic

Fundamentals of databases

This topic covers the fundamental principles of relational databases, focusing on conceptual data modeling and entity-relationship diagrams. It also explores the practical application of SQL for data manipulation and the theoretical underpinnings of database design, including normalization to third normal form and managing concurrent access in client-server systems.

Big Data

Big Data refers to datasets that are too large or complex to be processed by traditional relational database systems. It is characterized by volume, velocity, and variety, requiring distributed processing and functional programming techniques to extract meaningful patterns.

Fundamentals of functional programming

This topic introduces the functional programming paradigm, focusing on the concept of functions as first-class objects and the application of higher-order functions. It covers the mathematical foundations of function types, domain and co-domain, and the practical implementation of list processing techniques such as map, filter, and fold.

Systematic approach to problem solving

This topic covers the systematic approach to software development, emphasizing the stages of analysis, design, implementation, testing, and evaluation. It requires students to understand how to define problems, create data models, structure modular solutions, and apply rigorous testing strategies using normal, boundary, and erroneous data.

Non-exam assessment - the computing practical project

The non-exam assessment (NEA) is a computing practical project that allows A-level students to independently solve a realistic problem or conduct an investigation. It serves as both a learning experience and an assessment, requiring students to apply a systematic approach to problem solving across five key stages: analysis, design, technical solution, testing, and evaluation.

Fundamentals of data structures

This topic covers the fundamental principles of data structures, focusing on how data is organized and stored for efficient access and manipulation. It includes the study of arrays, records, and files, as well as more complex abstract data types like queues, stacks, graphs, trees, hash tables, dictionaries, and vectors.

Fundamentals of algorithms

This topic covers the fundamental algorithms used in computer science, focusing on graph and tree traversal, searching, sorting, and optimization. It also explores the theoretical aspects of algorithmic complexity, including Big-O notation and the classification of problems as tractable or intractable.

Theory of computation

This topic explores the fundamental theoretical underpinnings of computer science, focusing on how problems are abstracted, decomposed, and automated. It covers the mathematical and logical foundations of computation, including finite state machines, regular languages, and the limits of what can be computed.

Fundamentals of data representation

This topic covers the fundamental principles of how data is represented within a computer system. It encompasses number systems, units of information, binary arithmetic, character coding, and the digital representation of images, sound, and other data types including compression and encryption.

Fundamentals of computer systems

This topic covers the fundamental hardware and software components that constitute a computer system. It explores the relationship between hardware and software, the role of operating systems in resource management, and the classification of programming languages and translators.

Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture

This topic covers the internal hardware components of a computer system, including the role of the processor, main memory, and buses. It also explores the von Neumann and Harvard architectures, the stored program concept, the Fetch-Execute cycle, and factors affecting processor performance.

Consequences of uses of computing

This topic explores the individual, social, legal, and cultural consequences of computing, focusing on the opportunities and risks presented by digital technologies. It examines how computer scientists and software engineers hold significant power and responsibility, as algorithms and code can embed moral and cultural values while impacting information flows and personal privacy.

Fundamentals of communication and networking

This topic covers the fundamental principles of data communication and networking, including transmission methods, network topologies, and the architecture of the Internet. It explores the protocols and security measures necessary for reliable data exchange, such as TCP/IP, packet switching, and encryption techniques.