A Level Software and Systems Development (SSD)

A Level Software Systems Development is an applied qualification in which students develop knowledge, understanding and skills through practical application in a context related to employability.

This A Level encourages pupils to:

• develop a genuine interest in software systems development with a focus on programming;
• develop an understanding of systems approaches and modeling 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 Units - 2 at AS / 2 at A2

this course includes more computer science than traditional ICT and includes a practical coursework unit.

AS

• Unit 1 : Introduction to Object Oriented Development - This unit provides students with a thorough understanding of object oriented systems. Students adopt an object oriented approach to problem solving. Object concepts are defined and implemented. The unit enables students to develop object oriented skills. It helps students to appreciate the benefits of developing applications in this type of environment. This unit is externally assessed through a two hour question paper.
  
  
• Unit 2: Event Driven Programming - This unit provides students with an 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 through coursework.

A2

• Unit 3: Systems Approaches and Database Concepts - This unit provides students with a thorough understanding of the reasons for systems development. It also provides them with an understanding of fundamental systems analysis and design concepts. It provides a detailed study of design methodologies. The unit introduces students to project management concepts and testing strategies that assist the systems development process. The unit introduces important database concepts enabling the student to understand relational database systems, implemented through Structured Query Language (SQL). This unit is externally assessed through a two hour question paper with a pre-release case study.
  
  
• Unit 4: Implementing Solutions - This unit provides students with an opportunity to design and implement a solution to a given problem using the knowledge and skills acquired in the preceding units. The students implement an agreed design using an appropriate software tool. The unit allows them to experience the elements of the systems development process. We require students to build their solutions using an RDMS 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.

Software Systems Development Entry Requirements

This qualification requires pupils to have:

This qualification requires pupils to have: 7 GCSEs A*-B - a GCSE in ICT or Computer Science will be beneficial though not essential as all programming skills will be taught as it is not expected that pupils have programming experience . A good grade in mathematics would be beneficial.

The knowledge and skills set I developed whilst studying GCSE computing really helped me to know what career I want. I only wish SSD was available when I was in school as this certainly would have been a help in my first year of my Computer Science Degree
Adam - Past Pupil