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.