Changing GCSE Options

Lots of scope for innovating using computer science in medicine. Not sure if there are specific jobs in it but an interest and at least a basic knowledge may well help in R&D, with at least knowing what is possible.

This is a recent app but is an example of the sort of things that might be possible.

Thanks for this. As I expected, not much related to medicine! Should have looked into it sooner as DD was strongly encouraged to take it as an option by her teacher, which lead to her chosing it over PE, which I now realise is more closely related to medical fields! It's ok though as she really enjoys it. She says she likes the challenge of making sure she makes no error and then seeing that it is all working, and from that perspective, as you say T&T, I can see how this would prepare her for studying medicine.

Coding system for events sound like entering data, not computer science.

Processing volumes of data by querying databases is getting more akin to what I would recognise as computer science, but only if they are making up their own (complex) queries.

Coding in computer science means creating the actual software applications that other people then execute on their computer or other device. So the people who create Internet Explorer, or the people who created the software used to draw pictures on x-rays, or the people who create the stock tracking software for John Lewis, or the people who created the search engine for google.

The rest of computer science is getting what the user / other interested parties want / need (requirements), working out what you are going to give them (specification) how you're going to make it (design) making it (coding) checking it works and is what was wanted (verification and validation) along with keeping track of everything (configuration management).

NHS has own coding system for 'events' (like visits to doctor or A&E). Like 20001 might = broken tibia, etc.

@Swing-of-things: Computer science GCSE should help develop some very relevant skills for anyone working in public health! I think MSoft Access (for handling relational data, only way to make sense of NHS codes) can be programmed with visual basic, for instance, all the principles of coding would be helpful background for someone new to VBa.

Lots of people working in public health have proper medical backgrounds (nurses, medical doctors, pharmacists, physics, related degrees, etc); they need to process big volumes of data to assess efficacy of clinical outcomes from different treatment options or intervention arms.

I don't think Computer Science is going to be particularly more or less helpful for medical than most other GCSEs, eg History, French, English lit.

But to be a good computer scientist imo you need to be a logical thinker with good attention to detail. I can see that being able to show you have these traits could in theory be useful for medicine. I'm thinking diagnosis where they need to carefully consider all options using the slightest hints before reaching a conclusion. (I worked in software for 20 years, having taken maths for my degree).

(ps Don't know what you mean by 'coding episodes of care').

Since we are on the subject of computer science, can any expert give more details of what this is all about. I gathered that it is about programming and the essence of gaming...anything else?

DD has taken it as a GCSE and is expected an A or A*. She enjoys it. From reading here the link with Maths, it is not surprising as she is especially able in that subject. No issues therefore with her having chosen it, but reading this thread, I am wondering what good it will do her since she is looking for a medical career! Anything else taught in this subject that relates to the medical field? (Besides coding episodes of care which is a very poorly paid job within the NHS?)

Surely young people should do a broad range of GCSEs and if you are good at Maths and sciences then triple science is the way forward. This should be based on love of the subjects and ability. Fantasising abour careers at 13 and choosing subjects accordingly is so difficult.

If the teacher has a friend who is a vet and did double science it is highly likely. Until fairly recently my local grammar school for girls did not do double science. I know a vet with double science who went to that school. Now, it is poor advice not to do 3 sciences if you are capable of grade A or A* in all of them and it facilitates your career choice. Obviously it makes the transition to A level sciences easier.

However loads of people do double science and still manage to get a career doing something they like and who knows how many career ideas the OPs DS might have between now and choosing a college or university course.

Teachers do not always know what specific subjects should be chosen for specific courses. It is always best to find out for yourself and do extensive research so not to make mistakes. However, doing 7 academic subjects with maybe 3 free choice subjects is fine and there is no reason why these cannot include Business Studies, PE, Drama, Japanese, Art, Music etc. These subjects can be used to extend an interest in a subject outside the main core of academic ones. No University will take against this, not even Oxbridge.

DS is also learning Python etc. but loves it. It's the only subject he'll actually try to do homework for.

Why I grumbled at the "top universities" thing is that most Kids this age are still fantasising what they want to do, they don't know until they try if they have any commitment or if they actually enjoy or can even endure the reality, it's all so hypothetical. They change their minds (sometimes hugely) very enthusiastically at least once a month about what they think they truly deeply madly like. Worrying about "top universities" is getting wildly ahead of where they are, how they are developing and what they need to do right now to find a way forward.

If his target grades are numbers, then I'm guessing he is in Y9 and will be doing his GCSEs in 2017. My son is in Y10 and his target grades are letters because that is how the GCSEs in 2016 will be marked.
If he is doing his GCSEs in 2017 then I don't think it will be too late to change an option.

He will be fine anyhelp

He sounds sensible which at this age of adolescence is great.

My ds14 will start his PE GCSE next week. He will catch up in the last half terms missed work.
Which might be a bit of a shock for him but it's all good.

It might be worth finding out what your DS finds boring about Computer Science. There can be a wide range of ability and experience at the beginning of GCSE level and the more able pupils (and/or kids who have taught themselves some basics using online tutorials) can get bored waiting for the others to catch up. This can also be demotivating for the less able or less experienced pupils.

Except that RM will be more time intensive, as pointed out. No point in continuing with CS if no interest, but be aware that RM is not an easy ride.

DS is currently looking at uni courses for electronic engineering and/or programming. The courses all seem to want A levels in maths, physics and preferably further maths. We have not found any requesting computer science or any tech subject, fortunately for him as he has neither!
So I dont think there is any advantage in your son switching to RM over computer science. Ds says the Tech subjects had the most course work of any subject other than Art at his school, they were the boys spending many lunch hours getting it finished in time!

I hadn't really taken into account that he's only Y9, my child is Y10 so there may be more time for your child to catch up if a change is still possible within the timetable arrangements. I don't really understand why some schools are doing GCSEs over 3 years (but that's a whole different potential thread). Your son's dilemma only confirms my view that dcs are too young to choose GCSE options in Y8.
It is perfectly possible for pupils to study Science A levels with Double Science at GCSE. It may take some extra work at the start of Y12 but most pupils with good grades for Double Science (A or A*) do catch up and obtain similar grades to those who have taken Triple Science.
Computer Science at GCSE is a relatively new subject for most schools and so it's very hard to tell what the impact of this will be for Computing in the long term. Many successful Computer professionals have trained on the job and haven't studied this subject at university. On the other hand, I also know people with grade C O level Computing who went on to obtain good degrees in Software Engineering so the fact that he's finding it hard now may not rule out a computer based career in future.

I have a friend who has a very intelligent son who is really into nerdy subjects.
He is taking computer science and is currently in year 11.
He is finding it very hard going.

"If he is bored with coding at GCSE level he will not make it as a programmer."

I was bored silly with coding at GCSE (well, it ws O level) level. I am a programmer.

I have no idea what the reference to gamers is about. He wants to be a programmer. A gamer is about as similar to a programmer as a secretary is. And yes, programmers are expected to have maths and physics at A level. Even if they don't go to "top universities".

"Top universities like RG universities would want computer scientists to have subjects like maths and physics at A level."

Coz, you know, there aren't any other destinations out there or outcomes to consider for would-be gamers besides "Top Universities".

Programmers don't have GCSE IT or even A level IT and only rarely have degrees in IT

Comparing IT to Computer Science is like comparing reading ability to English Literature. The OP is talking about computing science not IT.

If he is bored with coding at GCSE level he will not make it as a programmer.

My y9 son has just changed his GCSE option too. It's not too late according to his school.

I work in gaming and my advice for a programmer would be to swap to triple science and not worry about taking a GCSE in IT or Computer Science. Top universities like RG universities would want computer scientists to have subjects like maths and physics at A level.

My son is also about to drop computer science for PE.
He is finding it far too hard.
The school have told him he will be able to change as it fits in with the timetable but he will have to catch up on what he has missed.

I actually proud of him for realising this before it's too late and being proactive about seeking help from his HOY.

They're not supposed to be easy for the average child - if everyone got A* they'd be useless as any sort of mark of achievement for anyone. But a child who has a realistic chance of being a programmer is going to need to be really quite a long way above average.

I do think it's awful that kids are asked to make these sorts of life-altering decisions in year 8 :( Even the end of year 9 is desperately early.

I think I should have written 'non-traditional' rather than 'lightweight'.

I don't think any GCSEs are easy. At least not for the 'average' child. (That's proper average, not mumsnet-average).