Senior Phase SQA Courses (S4-S6)
National 4 and National 5 Computing Science
The National 4 and 5 qualifications are designed for pupils who have a general interest in computing science, as well as those considering further study or a career in computing science and related disciplines. It provides sufficient breadth, flexibility and choice to meet the needs of all learners.
Pupils studying computing science will develop a range of transferable skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, opening up a wide variety of career and study opportunities.
Course Units and Content
The content of the National 4 and 5 courses includes:
Software Design and Development
- Become confident in applying the fundamentals of computer programming techniques
- Design, create and test software solutions using problems solving skills
- Able to confidently tackle increasingly complex programming problems.
Web Design and Development
- Able to develop websites using modern coding techniques (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Understand how to integrate different media types and coding to produce multimedia, interactive web sites.
- Develop creativity skills by developing own websites which apply principles of good design.
Database Design and Development
- Able to develop relational databases which are relied upon and widely used across industry and web sites.
- Become confident in using SQL coding to perform database searches and other operations.
- Use recognised design techniques to plan effective database solutions and solve problems.
Computer Systems
- Investigate technical components and functions of the latest digital devices.
- Able to explain how different types of digital data are represented in binary.
- Able to explain how data is kept secure within computer systems and across the internet.
Course Assessment
National 5:
- SQA practical course assignment (30%)
- SQA final exam (70%)
Course award is graded A – D based on combined performance in assignment and exam.
National 4:
- Internally marked Added Value Unit
- Internally marked unit assessments
Course award is either Pass or Fail. Pupils must pass both elements of course assessment
Progression
The Computing Department provides a variety of progression routes. Pupils passing the N5 Computing Science course award in S4, could progress to either the N5 Computing Science course or the NPA in Cyber Security at Higher level.
Higher Computing Science
The Higher qualification builds upon skills acquired at National 5 as students learn to read and write increasingly complex code in order to program applications and develop interactive websites. The units covered in Higher Computing Science remain the same and each one is explored in greater depth, further developing skills and confidence in analysing, designing, creating and evaluating software solutions.
Course Units and Content
The Computing Science course is offered at Higher level in S5 and S6. The course content includes:
Software Design and Development
- Become confident in reading and writing modular code and standard algorithms.
- Analyse, design, create and test software solutions using problems solving skills
- Able to confidently tackle complex programming problems.
Web Design and Development
- Able to develop interactive websites using modern coding techniques (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Understand how to code websites efficiently and produce effective screen layouts that match the design.
- Develop creativity skills by developing own websites which apply principles of good design.
Database Design and Development
- Able to develop relational databases which are relied upon and widely used across industry and web sites.
- Increase skills and confidence in SQL coding to perform complex database searches and other operations.
- Use recognised design techniques to plan effective database solutions and solve problems.
Computer Systems
- Investigate technical components and functions of the latest digital devices.
- Able to explain in greater depth how digital data is represented in binary.
- Able to describe encryption methods to secure data within computer systems and across the internet.
Course Assessment
- SQA practical course assignment (30%)
- SQA final exam (70%)
Course award graded A – D based on combined performance in assignment and exam.
Progression
Pupils who pass the Higher Computing Science course in S5 may wish to continue to their study of Computing Science at Advanced Higher level in S6.
Alternatively, pupils may choose to specialise in the area of Cyber Security and complete the NPA in Cyber Security.
Advanced Higher Computing Science
The Advanced Higher qualification brings together coding skills developed in previous computing science qualifications. Integration of technologies is at the heart of the course and pupils will learn how to develop applications which combine programming, web and database development into a single software solution.
Course Units and Content
The Computing Science course is offered at Advanced Higher level in S6. The course content includes:
Software Design and Development
- Develop confidence in reading and writing complex code involving searching and sorting algorithms.
- Create connections with an Oracle database to send and receive data
- Introduction to object-oriented programming using Java
Web Design and Development
- Able to develop dynamic, responsive web-sites which build upon prior experience using HTML and CSS.
- Able to write server-side code used to process form data using php.
- Develop creativity skills by developing own websites which apply principles of good design.
Database Design and Development
- Create and edit database structure using MySQL commands
- Increase skills and confidence in SQL coding to perform complex database operations.
- Integrate SQL with server-side code and software applications to provide database interaction.
- Use recognised design techniques to plan effective database solutions and solve problems.
Computer Systems
- Investigate in technical detail the components and functions of the latest digital devices.
- Able to explain in greater depth how digital data is represented by computers.
- Investigate and explain cyber security risks such as SQL injection.
Course Assessment
- SQA project (50%)
- SQA final exam (50%)
Course award is graded A – D based on combined performance in project and exam.
Cyber Security NPA (S5/S6)
The internet and digital technologies are transforming our society by driving economic growth, connecting people and providing new ways to communicate and co-operate with one another. However, the rise of the internet has led to the rise of cybercrime, such as identity theft, fraud, and blackmail within our communities.
There is a current skills shortage in the field of cyber security to defend against cyber-attacks. It is believed that education is key to addressing the skills gap. The new National Progression Award (NPA) in Cyber Security has stemmed from the need to address the growing rise in easily preventable cybercrime. This award is designed to raise awareness of cyber security and fill the current skills gap in this field. It will encourage learners to improve their cyber hygiene and enable them to identify security weakness safely, legally and ethically. It will also help learners to contribute more safely to virtual communities.
Ethics and the law are fundamental aspects of these awards. Ethical considerations are included in every component unit, and legislative considerations are included in all appropriate Units. The aim of the awards is to produce knowledgeable and skilled individuals who are aware of the potential misuses of, and unauthorised access to, computer systems but who use these competences for legal and ethical purposes.
Award Structure
The NPA in Cyber Security provide foundation knowledge and skills in data security, digital forensics and ethical hacking.
Data Security
The specific aim of the Data Security Units is to place data security within the context of the real world and explore current practice in corporate data security. This includes the legal and ethical considerations, and the practical methods to protect personal and corporate data. The Units will introduce the concepts around personal and corporate data security, including aspects of legal and ethical obligations.
Digital Forensics
The Digital Forensics Units are designed to develop knowledge and skills in digital forensics examination. Learners will gain knowledge of the principles and the integrity of the process involved in forensically examining digital evidence; they will gain practical skills in identifying evidential sources across a range of digital devices and mediums. Using these sources of evidence, learners will then analyse and interpret data, its relevancy to an enquiry under investigation and the subsequent reporting of that information.
Ethical Hacking
The purpose of the Ethical Hacking Units is to develop a competent understanding of tools and techniques used by malicious and ethical hackers. Learners will gain an understanding of the potential threats and tools that can be used by malicious hackers to target individuals and organisations. By the end of this Unit, learners will have the ability to implement techniques and technologies used to defend systems from attack and evaluate the Scottish, UK and EU legislation and ethics of hacking.
Entry Requirements
This NPA course is intended for learners wishing to develop and enhance cyber skills to support learning across a wide range of curricular areas whilst raising awareness of security responsibilities. It is open to all pupils regardless of previous experience.
Assessment
Assessment of the Cyber Security NPA will be a combination of practical and knowledge assessments under closed- and open-book assessment conditions. All assessment is completed in class: there is no final exam.
The award is issued on successful completion of all three units of the course. Since the award has no final exam, successful completion of the award is graded as a Pass.
Progression
On completion of each award, learners may progress to one of a number of further qualifications in this, or a related, area. This qualification is available at three levels and learners may progress to the next level if they wish to continue their studies. There are also opportunities to progress to related Higher National or degree courses.
This award may also lead to employment in a computer security role. The number, and nature, of job roles in this field are growing fast and it is hoped that this award will be a springboard to a career in computer security.