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Original poster

A way to do computer science

31 replies

Verbena37 · 11/05/2016 16:43

Hi,
DD has come home today saying her ICT teacher was surprised she hasn't chosen computer science as one of her GCSE options (they've not officially been told they have their choices yet) and said it was a shame she isn't doing it as she is the best out of the whole year (not a MN brag but that's what she said).

Anyway, I've emailed the tescher to ask if there is any possible way of her doing it but without dropping her chosen subjects of geography, French and art. My idea was she could drop mandatory RE/Philosophy and Ethics or, because she's chosen triple science, that she could perhaps swap physics (her least fave science) for computer science instead,

Anybody know or think the above might be do-able?

OP posts:
titchy · 11/05/2016 17:11

Assuming state school she won't simply be able to drop one of the sciences. She could do double science instead of triple, if triple is an option choice, rather than fast tracked. But then she'd be playing science catch-up for A levels having missed module 3 of any science A levels she chooses.

RE is compulsory in state schools, although an exam isn't compulsory and you can request your child is removed. But that would probably only free up an hour a week, which wouldn't be enough.

TeenAndTween · 11/05/2016 17:07

Very very much doubt it would be possible due to timetabling.

Unless the teacher was willing to teach her in a twilight class after school.

But if your DD isn't keen enough to select it as one of her options, I don't see why a teacher should put themselves out for her either iyswim.

(Personally I think she should consider dropping art for CS Smile)

pulpi · 11/05/2016 16:55

There's a huge push right now to get women involved in computer science. If she's keen on it and good at it, she can pretty much write her own ticket - especially in academia!

But if her love is animal behavioural science, then perhaps physics isn't near as necessary as, say, biology!

Original poster
Verbena37 · 11/05/2016 16:55

I guess we thought of keeping chemistry because it's closer to biology and she is defo need to do biology at A level if she wants to go to uni to do animal sciences,

OP posts:
Original poster
Verbena37 · 11/05/2016 16:52

She is currently thinking of a degree in animal behavioural science so computer science not necessarily crucial to her possible career however, she isn't set in stone on anything and loves computers. I really love the fact she is good at it and enjoys it and could be a great career path if she didn't choose animals and zoos.

OP posts:
pulpi · 11/05/2016 16:47

Depending on which end of computer science she's interested in (programming, graphics, information visualization, human-computer interaction, etc), she might want to consider keeping physics as it could come in handy. Chemistry, on the other hand, not as critical for computer science. A good idea might be to take a look at potential universities and what kind of computer science she'd be interested in studying (assuming she's wanting to pursue it) and go from there.