ICT - Computer Science – WJEC - 4340
Course Outline
This GCSE course in Computer Science offers and encourages candidates from all cultures and both
genders to explore how computers work and communicate in a variety of contexts and to develop
their interest in Computer Science by becoming creators of games, apps and systems, rather than
simply using programs designed by others. There is ample opportunity for them to apply and
consolidate their knowledge of computer programming by carrying out practical tasks that will
develop their capacity for imaginative, innovative thinking, creativity and independence. They will
develop the skills of design and evaluation, and they will test and problem-solve when errors occur
in both their own systems and those of others. Computer Science develops valuable programming
and computational thinking skills, which are increasingly relevant to a wide variety of jobs.
Employers want workers with an understanding of rigorous principles that can be applied to
changing technologies.
Course Details
3 units will be undertaken over 2 years. Each unit comprises of 3 assessment objectives which lead
to 100% total GCSE marks giving the student a single GCSE if all 3 units are completed.
1.
2.
3.
Understanding Computer Science
Solving Problems Using Computers
Developing Computing Solutions
Assessment Criteria
Assessment is divided into three units:
Unit 1 (45%) - 90 minute examination to assess understanding of the theory content of the
specification.
Unit 2 (30%) - 2 hour external assessment to assess the practical application of knowledge and
understanding through a series of on-screen tasks.
Unit 3 (25%) - internally assessed and externally moderated 15 hour controlled assessment to
develop a piece of work using programming software following a task brief issued by WJEC.
Students have a choice between 2 scenarios provided by WJEC.
Career Prospects
Computer Science provides opportunities to promote enterprise and entrepreneurial skills through
the process of identifying an opportunity to design a system to meet a specific need, developing
their own system and finally evaluating the whole process. Tasks linked to the controlled
assignment provide opportunities to develop independent thinking skills, through candidates
identifying relevant sources of information and developing specific performance criteria for their
designs to guide their thinking.