IGCSE Computer Science (0478)

Course Outline

Section 1 Theory of computer science

1.1 Data representation

• • • • • 1.1.1 Binary systems
        • 1.1.2 Hexadecimal
        • 1.1.3 Data storage

1.2 Communication and Internet technologies

• • • • • 1.2.1  Data transmission
        • 1.2.2  Security aspects
        • 1.2.3  Internet principles of operation

1.3 Hardware and software

• • • • • 1.3.1  Logic gates
        • 1.3.2  Computer architecture and the fetch-execute cycle
        • 1.3.3  Input devices
        • 1.3.4  Output devices
        • 1.3.5  Memory, storage devices and media
        • 1.3.6  Operating systems
        • 1.3.7  High- and low-level languages and their translators

1.4 Security

1.5 Ethics

Section 2  Practical problem-solving and programming

2.1 Algorithm design and problem-solving

• • • • • 2.1.1  Problem-solving and design
        • 2.1.2  Pseudocode and flowcharts

2.2 Programming

• • • • • 2.2.1  Programming concepts
        • 2.2.2  Data structures; arrays

2.3 Databases

Assessment Overview 

All candidates take two papers