Choice of Units:
Like all courses in S5 and S6 the Higher Course is made up of units. In Computing there are two Mandatory Units: Computer Systems and Software Development and four optional units: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming, Computer Networking and Multimedia Technology. In Fraserburgh Academy it is possible to study Programming or Artificial Intelligence as an optional Unit. In order to complete the Higher course you must take the two mandatory units and one of the optional units.

Homework Guide:
In a subject where access to a computer can only be guaranteed within timetabled periods for the course, it is important that you make the best use of this time by being well prepared for any practical activity. You will be expected to do a fair bit of background reading for each unit which may be from the unit course materials or from textbooks. You will also be expected to complete a number of exercises from the course in your own time, and to prepare for the end of unit tests and exercises in advance. You are likely to need to set aside about one hour a week for regular homework, but be prepared for times when you are completing an investigation at the end of a unit where more time may be needed.

Course Content

Mandatory Units:
The Computer Systems unit is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of how computer hardware and software is organised, how data is input, stored and output, and to enable you to select computer systems to match specific requirements.The Software development unit is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of how software is created commercially and what is necessary in a modern software development environment. We will be using the Java language developed by Sun Microsystems, and will develop a solution to problems using the following stages of the software development process: analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation.

Optional Unit:
The Artificial Intelligence unit is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the scope of artificial intelligence and the representation and processing of knowledge. A number of aspects of artificial intelligence are investigated including: expert systems, search strategies, natural language processing, neural networks, and artificial life. At the end of the unit you will spend some time investigating one of these topics.
The Computer Programming unit is designed to introduce you to the algorithms and data structures used in the processing of more complex structured data and will develop your ability to use a systematic design methodology to produce complex programs. At the end of the unit you will spend some time investigating an aspect of computer programming chosen from a list of topics, or on a topic of your own.