A-Level Computer Science (AQA 7517)

Course Overview 课程介绍

AQA A-Level 计算机科学，线性结构，编程 + 理论 + 项目，含上机考试与编程 NEA。

A-Level Computer Science (AQA 7517) is a linear qualification combining computational thinking, programming, computer systems theory and an independent Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) programming project, examined by two terminal papers at the end of two years plus a portfolio-based NEA. The course covers programming paradigms, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, networking, databases, Big Data and functional programming. It is a core subject for computer science, software engineering, AI, data science and games development applicants.

Key Facts 基本信息

Exam Board (考试局)	Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)
Specification Code	AQA 7517
Structure	Linear structure, terminal exams at end of 2 years
Grading (评分)	A* - E (A* only for full A-Level)
Exam Papers	Paper 1 (on-screen programming) + Paper 2 (theory written) + NEA (programming project)
Non-Exam Assessment	NEA: independent programming project, analysed, designed, developed, tested and evaluated; 75 marks, 20% of A-Level

AS / Year 1 Syllabus AS 阶段章节

AS1. Fundamentals of programming

Programming paradigms (imperative, object-oriented), data types, variables, sequences/selection/iteration, subroutines, parameters, recursion, exception handling, object-oriented concepts (classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism)
AS2. Fundamentals of data structures

Arrays (1D and 2D), lists, tuples, records, stacks, queues, linked lists, graphs, trees, hash tables, dictionaries, choosing appropriate data structures
AS3. Fundamentals of algorithms

Sorting (bubble, merge, quick), searching (linear, binary), path finding (Dijkstra, A*), time and space complexity, Big-O notation, recursion
AS4. Theory of computation

Abstraction and automation, finite state machines, regular languages, Turing machines, computability and the halting problem
AS5. Fundamentals of data representation

Number systems (binary, hex), binary arithmetic, character sets (ASCII, Unicode), images, sound, data compression (lossless, lossy), encryption
AS6. Fundamentals of computer systems

Hardware and software, classification of programming languages, generations of languages, systems software, operating systems, types of operating system, role of an operating system
AS7. Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture

Internal components of a computer, the processor (CPU), processor instruction set, assembly language, Boolean algebra, logic gates, logic circuits
AS8. Consequences of uses of computing

Individual, moral, social, cultural and legal issues, privacy, legislation (Data Protection, Computer Misuse, Copyright), professional bodies
AS9. Fundamentals of communication and networking

Communication methods, networking (LAN, WAN, topologies, client-server and peer-to-peer), TCP/IP protocol stack, protocols, network security and threats
AS10. Systematic approach to problem solving

Analysis, design, implementation, testing, evaluation and maintenance; computational thinking, decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction

A2 / Year 2 Syllabus A2 阶段章节

A211. Fundamentals of databases

Relational database model, normalisation (1NF, 2NF, 3NF), SQL (DDL, DML), entity-relationship diagrams, transaction processing, ACID
A212. Big Data

Characteristics of Big Data (volume, velocity, variety), distributed processing (MapReduce, Hadoop), NoSQL databases, data mining, ethical and privacy considerations
A213. Fundamentals of functional programming

Functional programming paradigm, function types, map and filter, list processing, first-class functions, function composition, lazy evaluation, Haskell or equivalent
A214. Systematic approach to problem solving (advanced)

Computational methods, algorithms, heuristics, performance modelling, limitations of computational methods
A215. NEA: Programming project

Independent project: analysis of a real problem, design, technical solution developed in a suitable programming language, testing, evaluation; documented portfolio submitted to AQA

Exam Structure (AQA 7517) 考试结构

Paper 1	On-screen exam: programming, data structures, algorithms, theory of computation · 2h30m · 100 marks · 40% of A-Level
Paper 2	Written exam: computer systems, organisation, networking, databases, Big Data, functional programming, consequences · 2h30m · 100 marks · 40% of A-Level
NEA	Non-Exam Assessment: independent programming project (analysis, design, development, testing, evaluation) · 75 marks · 20% of A-Level
Notes	Linear structure, terminal exams at end of 2 years; preliminary material and skeleton code released for Paper 1; NEA marked by teacher and moderated by AQA

Suitable Majors & Pathway 适用专业与衔接

CS、软件工程、AI、数据科学、游戏开发等方向核心科目，含编程项目 NEA。

A-Level Computer Science (AQA) is a core subject for computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, games development, electronics, and computational finance. The linear terminal exams combined with a substantial programming project reward algorithmic thinking, structured problem decomposition and disciplined software engineering, providing a strong foundation for university algorithms and data structures, computer architecture, databases, machine learning and software engineering modules. Often paired with Mathematics and Further Mathematics for top-tier CS applicants.