NCEA Level 3 Digital Technologies - Software Engineering and Computer Science
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr J. Creighton.
Students are able to take more than one Digital Technology course. Each course counts as a unique domain for University Entrance. For example students taking Software Engineering and Computer Science and Product Design Technologies would count as 2 separate University Entrance Domains.
This course has a NZQA Scholarship option
This is a Digital Technologies Course for students who wish to specialise in Software Engineering and Computer Science in areas such as programming, database, or web technologies. During the course of the year, students will design and develop a software engineering project through to a finished data driven web application.
Student learning will generally revolve around advanced skills in the following areas:
- Functional programming (primarily using Python)
- Problem solving using Python
- Web development including web apps
- Database design and implementation
- Software Engineering skills including version control and testing
This course combines Digital Technologies disciplines and prepares students for an increasingly wide range of tertiary or employment pathways.
Students will be encouraged to compete in the range of programming competitions available throughout the year.
When people think of Computer Science they often just think of programming, but there are many more aspects to the field including interaction design, communications and networks, software design, computer security, information systems, big data, machine learning, graphics, operating systems, educational systems, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems (processors that are embedded in everything from mobile phones to cars). All of these areas are experiencing rapid growth both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and there is a strong demand for Computer Science.
Recommended Prior Learning
The course can be picked up by anyone with an interest in Computer Science and/or Software Engineering.
Working knowledge of Python, HTML, CSS and SQL is a big advantage.
Having some programming ability will prove helpful, however the course will start from fundamentals so there is an opportunity for motivated individuals to succeed with little or no prior experience.
The three internals are linked to one large-scale project spread over two terms, and a certain degree of self-management is required.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
$10 Consumables
Pathway
Students who complete this course have a clear pathway to Computer Science , Programming or Engineering as well as gaming and/or software development courses.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.3 - Use complex techniques to develop a database
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.4 - Use complex techniques to develop a digital media outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.7 - Use complex programming techniques to develop a computer program
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.8 - Use complex processes to develop a digital technologies outcome
NZQA Info
Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko 3.9 - Analyse an area of computer science