Information about the HSC - Waverley College

Software Design and Development
Overview
Two units for each of the Preliminary and HSC Year Board Developed
Course.
The Preliminary course introduces students to the basic concepts of
computer software design and development. It does this by looking at the
different ways in which software can be developed, the tools that can be
used to assist in this process and by considering the interaction between
software and the other components of the computer system.
The HSC course builds on the Preliminary course and asks students to
develop and document software using a variety of data structures and
language facilities. Through this they will learn to solve a number of
interesting and relevant software problems.
Content
The two main content areas of the Software Design and Development
course are the theoretical aspects of software design and algorithm
description, and the practical skills involved in developing computer
software using the C# programming language. Additionally the HSC option
topic ‘Programmer’s view of Hardware’ is studied giving an insight into the
hardware behind modern computing.
Special
Requirements
An interest in computers and skill at solving logical problems creatively are
both of benefit in Software Design and Technology. Because of the
programming component of the course, a home computer is essential.
Assessment /
Homework
Information
Assessment is varied with in class programming tasks, and formal
examinations. In the preliminary course a series of small programming
exercises (completed as homework) are used both for assessment and to
develop skills. In the HSC course a major programming assignment (largely
completed outside of class time) is a significant part of the assessment.
The Higher School Certificate: Preliminary Courses 2012 Page 35
HSC Courses 2013