General

Location: University of Oxford

Organizer: Oxford Royale Academy

A summer programme designed to introduce students aged 16-18 to Computer Science, including three programming languages.

Course Summary

The course aims to introduce students to the discipline of Computer Science, with particular emphasis on the exploitation of computer systems to calculate, analyse and present data. This includes the theoretical background, learning three programming languages and creating a website.

This course provides a complete introduction to the thriving field of Computer Science, using the web to illustrate key concepts. Students will learn website design using HTML for structure and CSS for formatting, and Python to provide them with a foundation in a more scientific programming language. The mathematical principles behind computer science will be explored as students will look at the use of algorithms in programming. The programme is suitable for students with intermediate-level IT skills, but does not require any programming experience.

Oxford Royale Academy’s computer science course is aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about this increasingly popular subject. In particular, it provides valuable grounding in not only utilising computers as a valuable problem-solving tool but also presenting and communicating results via the web. Teaching you no fewer than three programming languages, this course is designed for those with intermediate existing IT skills and will take your knowledge and competence to the next level.

Where could the Computer Science Programme lead you?

Why choose the Computer Science Programme for 16-18 years?

On Computer Science summer programme, students will have the challenge of building their very own website. This provides practical experience of building a website in an environment in which experts are on hand to help and advise. This not only involves the practical challenges of coding and formatting, but also the design phase of creating a visually appealing and accessible layout. Next time students are in the position of needing to communicate information via the web, the challenge will be far more manageable now when have this experience to fall back on.

How will the Computer Science Programme help me?

As part of this course, students will learn three computer languages: HTML, CSS and Python. HTML (“hyper-text markup language”) involves dividing web pages into logically-separate pieces, a skill which is remarkably similar to tackling a large problem by subdivision into manageable goals. CSS (“cascading style sheets”) is a formatting language, knowledge of which enables them to understand how data is presented effectively and memorably. Python is a programming language which focuses on syntactical readability, and as a result has been in popular usage since 1991. What’s more, the process of learning these languages teaches them excellent discipline that can come in useful when learning other subjects, including the spoken languages they may be studying at school.

Is this course for me?

If you are hoping to undertake computer based research, enter a career in computer science, become a tech entrepreneur, or simply to gain practical skills you can add to your CV, this course is for you.

What will you get out of the Computer Science Programme?

Lessons on programming theory combine with skills-based workshops to allow students to learn about all aspects of Computer Science and to gain an impression of the undergraduate study of this fascinating subject. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities for the programming workshop.

Students will learn vital and invaluable skills for the modern workplace, which they will be able to use long after they leave the summer school. These skills will be honed in the production of the students’ own websites, which will be assessed to form part of the overall grade for the course.