Computer Education S5/S6
Computing Advanced Higher
The Advanced Higher Computing course will consist of 3 units:
- Software Development
- Developing a Software Solution
- Artificial Intelligence
Entry Requirements
A "B" pass at Higher Computing.
Course Description
The course requires a great deal of practical work and students will use the modern network facilities of the Computing Department. SCHOLAR on-line materials will be used extensively.
- Software Development
This unit follows on directly from Higher. Students will principally be writing programs in Visual Basic. Students will also learn more about the software development process, designing a user interface and software testing. In addition, object oriented programming concepts will be explored.
- Developing a Software Solution
This unit involves project work which will be undertaken over several months. The project will be chosen by the student in consultation with the teacher. Suitable project topics include Visual Basic programming projects.
- Artificial Intelligence
This unit follows on directly from Higher. Students will learn how to use problem solving methods to find solutions to games. Different methods for representing knowledge will be studied. Students will use Prolog for recursion and list processing. In addition, students will also use an expert system shell which supports uncertainty
Assessment
Each unit will be assessed using one multiple-choice test and several short practical activities. These practical activities will be undertaken during the units. The final grade for Advanced Higher Computing will be derived from a combination of written examination (60%) and practical coursework, which is a project and report based on the Developing a Software Solution Unit (40%)
Computing Higher
Entry Requirements
- Overall Grade 1 or 2 in Standard Grade Computing Studies. Students must also have at least a grade 2 for either Knowledge and Understanding or Problem Solving
or
- A or B at Intermediate 2 Computing
Course Description
The course requires a great deal of practical work and students will use the modern network facilities of the Computing Department. SCHOLAR on-line materials will also be used extensively
- Computer Systems:
This unit follows on directly from Standard Grade. Students will learn more about how data is represented and what goes on inside a computer. Students will also learn how to make detailed comparisons of up-to-date computers and peripherals, as well as finding out more about networks, viruses and anti-virus software. There will be a considerable number of associated practical activities.
- Software Development:
This principally involves writing small programs in the latest
version of the computer language Visual Basic. The process of
writing a professional application from start to finish will also be
investigated and different types of computer languages will be compared.
- Artificial Intelligence:
This is a new unit. Students will learn about what Artificial Intelligence means and find out about real-world uses of Artificial Intelligence. Students will also learn how to problem solve by representing knowledge in Prolog and an expert system shell.
Assessment
Each unit will be assessed using one multiple-choice test and several short practical activities. These practical activities will be undertaken during the units. There will also be one practical coursework task which will be undertaken after the first two units have been completed. The final grade for Higher Computing will be derived from a combination of written examination (70%) and practical coursework (30%).
Computing Intermediate 2
Entry Requirements
- Standard Grade Computing Studies at Grade 3 or 2.
or
- Standard Grade English at Grade 3 along with one other Grade 2 Standard Grade subject.
Course Description
This course was recently updated for 2006. The course involves considerable practical work learning skills and developing an understanding of computing concepts. Students will use the modern network facilities of the Computing Department doing mainly computer based tasks.
1. Computer Systems:
This unit will develop knowledge about and skills in the use of
- the parts of a computer, such as digital cameras and microphones
- computer networks, email, the world wide web, virus precautions
- how data such as pictures and sound is represented in the computer
2. Software Development:
This is a mainly practical unit which involves
- learning a new programming language, Visual Basic
- planning, writing and testing computer programs
- learning about the software development process and programming languages
3. Multimedia Technology:
This unit will develop knowledge and skills in
- the development of multimedia applications such as slide show presentations
- the digital capture and editing of sound and video
- the creation of digital sound
- the combination of graphics, sound and video into a multimedia presentation
Assessment
Each unit will be assessed using one multiple-choice test and several short practical activities. These practical activities will be undertaken during the units. There will also be one practical coursework task that will be undertaken after the first two units have been completed. The final grade for the Intermediate 2 Computing course will be derived from a combination of written examination (70%) and coursework (30%).
