Welcome to National 5 Computer Science
Software Design and Development
Database Design and Development
Computer Systems
Web Design and Development
Contact the Department
For more information about the National 5 course, please contact myself using the form provided.
Mr Wood - Teacher of Computer Science
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Course Rationale
National Courses reflect Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
Every course provides opportunities for candidates to develop breadth, challenge and application. The focus and balance of assessment is tailored to each subject area.
The National 5 Computing Science course encourages candidates to become successful, responsible and creative in using technologies, and to develop a range of qualities including flexibility, perseverance, confidence, and enterprise.
At this level, the course covers a common core of concepts which underpin the study of computing science and explores the role and impact of contemporary computing technologies. It also includes a range of transferable skills, which opens up a wide range of career and study opportunities
Purpose and Aims
The course helps candidates to understand computational processes and thinking. It covers a number of unifying themes that are used to explore a variety of specialist areas, through practical and investigative tasks. The course highlights how computing professionals are problem-solvers and designers, and the far-reaching impact of information technology on our environment and society. It enables candidates to:
1-Apply computational-thinking skills across a range of contemporary contexts
2-Apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes in computing science
3-Apply skills and knowledge in analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation to a range of digital solutions
4-Communicate computing concepts and explain computational behaviour clearly and concisely using appropriate terminology
5-Develop an understanding of the role and impact of computing science in changing and influencing our environment and society
Course Content
The course has four areas of study:
Software design and Development
Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in software design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks using appropriate software development environments. This develops their programming and computational-thinking skills by implementing practical solutions and explaining how these programs work. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates. They are expected to analyse problems, and design, implement, test and evaluate their solutions.
Computer Systems
Candidates develop an understanding of how data and instructions are stored in binary form and basic computer architecture. They gain an awareness of the environmental impact of the energy use of computing systems and security precautions that can be taken to protect computer systems.
Database Design and Development
Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in database design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This allows candidates to apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test, and evaluate practical solutions, using a range of development tools such as SQL. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates.
Web design and Development
Candidates develop knowledge, understanding and practical problem-solving skills in web design and development, through a range of practical and investigative tasks. This allows candidates to apply computational-thinking skills to analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate practical solutions to web-based problems, using a range of development tools such as HTML, CSS and Javascript. Tasks involve some complex features (in both familiar and new contexts), that require some interpretation by candidates.