AS91898 Demonstrate understanding of a key aspect of a computer science concept

Time Given: 3 hours of class time (split between 2 externals).

Exam Day: To be determined (likely 15th October 1.40pm-5pm)

​Areas of Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence
Standard: AS91898
Version: 1
Level: 2
Credits: 3

Introduction:

In this exam students are to pick an area of computer science and show understanding of that area.
The areas of computer science that can be selected are:

​Computer security
Encryption - 2021 Choice
Error control
Complexity and tractability
Artificial intelligence. - 2024/2025 Choice

You will be given an exam paper and asked to answer questions about that area.
We know in advance which concepts students can choose between and usually pick one as a class to study. Last year we studied Encryption Coding.

All study notes for all areas can be found here:
https://www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/chapters/

Areas of Computer Science

Computer Security

Computer security often overlaps with encryption. Questions asked are around firewalls, malware, updates, operating system and hackers.

There is no CS field guide chapter for this.
​

Error Control

Hard drives crash, internet connections time out. What methods help computers recognize and recover from these errors?

CS Field Guide:
www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/chapters/coding-error-control/ 

Artificial Intelligence (2022,2023,2024, 2025)

How can you tell if you are talking to a computer or a person? How could this help a business?

​​CS Field Guide:
https://www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/chapters/artificial-intelligence/

Encryption (2021 Pick)

When we send data over the internet it can easily be intercepted at various points. We use encryption codes to protect it from malicious attacks.

CS Field Guide:
www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/chapters/coding-encryption/
Freyberg Resource:
https://year12digitech.weebly.com/encryption-coding.html

Complexity and tractability

Computers cannot solve every problem in a timely manner. What methods can a computer employ to deal with massive calculations?

​CS Field Guide:
https://www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/chapters/complexity-and-tractability/

Achieved

Exam type questions:

1.) How is the concept used? How is the concept Implemented? How does it occur?

2.) Explain how the concept has been used or could be used to address an opportunity.

​3.) What Mechanisms shape the concept?
Criteria:
- Identifying the computer science concept
- Providing details of how the concept is used, is implemented, or occurs
- Explaining how the concept has been or could be applied to address an opportunity
- Explaining the relevant mechanisms that shape the concept.

Merit

Impact could be defined as:
  • ethical issues
  • social impact
  • sustainability
  • human factors
  • future proofing.

Example: In the future, we could use artificial intelligence for emergency 111 calls in order to reduce the amount of workers needed and get faster response times. However, if the computer is programmed incorrectly it could cause ethical issues if the wrong service is asked for.
Criteria:
explaining the impact of the concept.

Excellence

For this section you will need to explain key problems or issues related to the concept.

For Example: Encryption coding works so long as our computing power stays as it is... however we could end up with quantum computers that can do trillions of transactions a second, making encryption essentially worthless.
Criteria:
Explaining key problems or issues related to the concept.