Advanced Higher Computing Science

Course information

This course highlights the central role of computing professionals as creative problem-solvers and designers, able to conceive, design, implement, and operate complex systems. It provides candidates with an understanding of contemporary computing technologies, and develops a wide range of practical skills that underpin our modern, digital world.

The course also builds awareness of the importance of computing in meeting our needs today and for the future, in many fields including science, education, business, and industry. Many organisations regard computing skills as vital to their growth and sustainability, while a growing number of individuals use computing technologies as a way to create entrepreneurial, social and enterprise-building opportunities.

Units of study

The course has three areas of study:

Software design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding, and advanced practical problem-solving skills in software design and development. They do this by using appropriate software development environments. Candidates develop object-oriented programming and computational-thinking skills by analysing, designing, implementing, testing, and evaluating practical solutions and explaining how these modular programs work. They use their knowledge of data types and constructs to create efficient programs to solve advanced problems.

Database design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding, and advanced practical problem-solving skills in database design and development. They do this through a range of practical tasks, using SQL to create and query relational databases. Candidates apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools. Candidates apply interpretation skills to tasks involving some complex features in both familiar and new contexts.

Web design and development

Candidates develop knowledge, understanding, and advanced practical problem-solving skills in web design and development. They do this through a range of practical and investigative tasks. Candidates apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools including HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and PHP. Candidates apply interpretation skills to tasks involving some complex features in both familiar and new contexts.

Entry requirements

Candidates should have achieved the Higher Computing Science course at A or B grade prior to starting this course.

Additional information

For further information, visit the SQA course overview and resources webpage.