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.