A Level Computing

Edexcel AS & A2 Computing Outline

Unit 1 Computer Systems (written paper)   
Unit 2 Design and Organisation of Information Systems (written paper)   
Unit 3 System Design and Development Project(written paper)   
Unit 4 Computer systems design (written paper)   
Unit 5 Information systems Development (written paper)   
Unit 6 Software design and development project (coursework)
  
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Objectives of assessments

Unit 1 Computer Systems (written paper)

The areas covered in this unit are:

1. The range and scope of computer applications

2. The social, legal, ethical and economic implications of the use of computers
data representations and security

3. Software packages

4. Hardware

5. Networks and communications

6. Operating system facilities people

Unit 2 Design and Organisation of Information Systems (written paper)

The areas covered in this unit are:

1. The key features of information systems

2. Systems analysis and design

4. Data organisations and types and prototyping

5. Algorithms, software design and implementation

Unit 3 System Design and Development Project(written paper)

You will be asked to design a computer system, in doing so you will:

1. Analyse a problem, identify the parts for which a computer-based solution is feasible, and produce a specification for the required system

2. Design an overall system in response to the systems analysis

3. Produce a detailed specification of the design of input, output, and the data organisation

4. Produce details of the processes required

5. Develop, document and appraise a prototype for the system specification, including input and output and dialogue with the user

Unit 4 Computer systems design (written paper)

The areas covered in this unit are:

1. Relational database systems

2. File organisation

3. Fourth-generation software tools

4. Computer hardware

5. Communications

6. Systems software


Unit 5 Information systems Development (written paper)

The areas covered in this unit are:
 
1. System implementation strategies

2. Project management and the need for team working

3. Managing information

4. Data structures

5. Algorithms

6. Programming concepts.


Unit 6 Software design and development project (coursework)

You will be asked to design a computer system, in doing so you will:

1. Specify with justification the system to be developed

2. Produce a detailed design for the software to be implemented, using suitable design tools

3. Select and justify tools and methods to be used in the implementation

4. Test and evaluate the software components

5. Test the implemented system

6. Produce technical and user documentation

7. Evaluate the system as a whole and identify further enhancements that could be developed

For further details please go to Edexcel