A-Level CCEA SSD Software Systems Development
Examination Board: CCEA
Course Aims:
This course is aimed at developing programming skills and emphasis on object oriented development and event driven programming along with systems approaches and database concepts. To undertake this course students should have proven skills, knowledge and understanding of Computer Science.
This specification aims to encourage students to:
- develop a genuine interest in software systems development with a focus on programming;
- develop an understanding of systems approaches and modelling techniques to support software development;
- develop software development skills that will prepare them for work in today’s software industry;
- participate in the development of a software project using a complete software development process;
- apply their skills to relevant work-related scenarios;
- work with others in group settings;
- research, develop and present their findings in a variety of formats; develop advanced study skills in preparation for third level education; and demonstrate their understanding and application of key concepts through challenging internal and external assessment.
Course Outline:
| Content
|
Assessment | Weightings |
| AS 1: Introduction to Object Oriented Development | External written examination: 2 hours
Short and extended questions, stimulus response and data response questions based on the principles of object oriented development |
50% of AS
20% of A level |
| AS 2: Event Driven Programming | Internal assessment
Portfolio showing evidence of designing, implementing, testing and evaluating an event driven application |
50% of AS
20% of A level |
| A2 1: Systems Approaches and Database Concepts | External written examination: 2 hours
Short and extended questions relating to current systems approaches and database concepts. These questions are based on a pre-release case study. |
30% of A level |
| A2 2: Implementing Solutions | Internal assessment
Portfolio showing evidence of the analysis, design and implementation of a software solution of a specified problem in a pre-release case study and task. |
30% of A level |
Coursework: AS 2: Event Driven Programming
In this unit, students have the opportunity to implement and develop object oriented technologies in an event driven environment. Students are able to state requirements and design, implement, test and evaluate their application. This unit is internally assessed.
Coursework: A2 2: Event Driven Programming
In this unit, students have the opportunity to design and implement a solution to a given problem using the knowledge and skills acquired in the preceding units of the course from AS to A2 Level. The students implement an agreed design using an appropriate software tool. The unit allows them to experience the elements of the systems development process. Students are required to build their solutions using an RDMS (Relational Database Management System) through an event driven programming environment. This unit is internally assessed with a pre-release case study. Students must use the pre-release case study throughout.
Access to resources and teaching materials
Within School
Students can access all teaching materials within school at either:
Computer\Member Shared\Subjects\ICT\Students\A-Level\A Level SSD
Or
My School > Fronter > Software Systems Development
Outside School
Students can access all teaching materials from outside of school by logging into MySchool using their C2K Username and Password at the following location: https://ids.c2kschools.net/nidp/app
They can then access their Fronter Course (as above) or navigate to Computer\Member Shared\Subjects\ICT\Students\ A-Level\A Level SSD
Careers and Further Study
GCE Software Systems Development can lead to a wide range of careers including multimedia and website design, software design, games design, computer programming, graphic design, IT management, CAM engineering and CAD design.
An Advanced GCE AS or full A Level in Software Systems Development combines well with almost all other AS and Advanced GCE subjects. Taken with Mathematics and Science, it supports applications for any IT-based University courses. Taken with Languages or Arts it supports an equally wide range of university courses such as Communications, Media, Business and Management.
Business and Computing Courses
Business and Management with Applied Computing
Business Computing (ebusiness)
Business Computing (Social Media)
Business Computing and IT
Business Information Systems with Multimedia
Business Information Technology
Computing for Business
Computer and Business Software Development
Digital Marketing
IT Management with Business
Marketing and Multimedia
Computer Games and Multimedia Courses
3D Computer Generated Imagery
Computer Animation
Computer Animation and Visual Effects
Computer and Video Games
Computer Game Application Technology
Computer Games Design
Computer Games Technology
Computer Graphics, Vision and Games
Digital Media Technologies
Interactive and Visual Design
Interactive Media – Games Art and Animation
Computer Systems, Networks and Engineering Courses
Computer Information Systems
Computer Networks
Computer Networks and Security
Computer Systems Engineering
Computing and Systems Development
Network Computing
Website Design and Development Courses
Computing with Web Development
Web Design and Software Development
Web Development
Web Technologies
Other Courses
Applied Computer Science
Broadcast Computing
Computer Forensics
Computer Science
Computing Science
Computing
Software Engineering
Useful Links
https://ids.c2kschools.net/nidp/app
http://www.c2kni.net/c2k_services.html
http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/microsites/software/ https://www.thetechpartnership.com/common-links/redirected-from-e-skills-uk/ https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
https://www.ucas.com/
http://creativeskillset.org/
http://www.qub.ac.uk/
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/
