A-LEVEL
There are few guarantees. But when it comes to secure and rewarding careers, getting smart in Computer Science is the closest you can get to one.
It’s a rare thing these days that’s unaffected by technology. Data is the new oil, algorithms control everything from farming to fast food, and artificial intelligence is one of the fastest growing sectors.
You can quickly grasp the importance of Computer Science in society.
On this course you’ll first learn how computers work, including the language they speak and the components from which they’re made. We’ll discover how they’re connected to form networks – including the most famous network of all, the Internet – and how you can code pretty much anything on basic frameworks.
We’ll start simple, looking at problems, breaking them down, and writing code to solve them.
By the time you’ve completed this course you’ll be knowledgeable in coding and ninja-like in networking.
The world will be at your feet. Technology is only becoming more important in all our lives – and you’ll be ready to play a big part in the future of our world.
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have any experience coding. We’ll start, as you’d hope, at the very beginning. But we move fast.
While every course at Xaverian is designed to provide skills readying you for the world of work – from problem solving to critical thinking – Computer Science is all about the practical application of lessons learned so you’ll feel super confident when it’s time to hit the world of work.
You’ll need to be methodical, focused and considered in how you approach solving problems. Getting in flow is a huge part of being a winning programmer.
Coders are patient, but equally work fast. You’ll enjoy working both on your own – there’s lots of independent study and analysis expected on this course as you progress towards coding mastery – and as part of a team.
In return, you’ll enjoy a course that’s as inspiring as it is insightful, learning from a team of teachers who are passionate about how technology is transforming our world. And showing you step-by-step that transformation is taking place.
Mrs Graham is here to lead us through a fascinating session all about encryption, followed by a programming challenge in C# to figure out the Fibonacci sequence.
If you want to write your own language, encryption could be just what you need. In today’s lesson you’ll learn how to use a cipher – like the Caesar cipher, commonly known as a ‘shift’ cipher.
Then we get on to our favourite number series – the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc). Your challenge is to write a program that reveals the first 10 Fibonacci numbers.
This lesson gives you a great glimpse into life as a Computer Science student.
Incidentally, the Fibonacci sequence was actually created by Leonardo of Pisa when he needed to work out how many rabbits would be bred in a year.
Computer science graduates are in high demand. You can expect to be hired into roles such as:
And you’ll likely be working in one of these sectors:
It’s likely you’ll progress into higher education beyond this course.
While you might be considering a regular degree focusing 100% on study, you might also choose to pursue a degree apprenticeship, which sees you hired and studying alongside regular work (20% study versus 80% time at work).
Degree subjects related to Computer science include:
Degree apprenticeships might include:
Emma Jones, a Year 12 student at Xaverian College, has been named one of four winners in the prestigious Portico Sadie Massey Awards, which aims …
Two Year 12 students at Xaverian College, Caitlin Bowler and Nadia Bishop-Broadhurst entered The British Association for American Studies (BAAS) School Essay Prize earlier this …
This year we celebrated 160 years of Xaverian! There have been many changes over the years, however the fundamentals have stayed the same. The zeal …
Emma Jones, a Year 12 student at Xaverian College, has been named one of four winners in the prestigious Portico Sadie Massey Awards, which aims …
Two Year 12 students at Xaverian College, Caitlin Bowler and Nadia Bishop-Broadhurst entered The British Association for American Studies (BAAS) School Essay Prize earlier this …
This year we celebrated 160 years of Xaverian! There have been many changes over the years, however the fundamentals have stayed the same. The zeal …
