Principles of Computer Science

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Choose a Computer Science topic

Sample objectives

What this paper covers

• Decomposition and abstraction: Build an explanation of the value of using decomposition and abstraction to model aspects of the real world and analyse, understand and solve problems.
• Decomposition and abstraction: Build an explanation of the value of using subprograms.
• Algorithms: Develop the ability to follow and write algorithms (flowcharts, pseudocode*, program code) that use sequence, selection, repetition (count-controlled, condition-controlled) and iteration (over every item in a data structure), and input, processing and output to solve problems.
• Algorithms: Give reasons why this skill is needed, then learn to follow and write algorithms that use variables and constants and one- and two-dimensional data structures (strings, records, arrays).
• Algorithms: Give reasons why this skill is needed, then learn to follow and write algorithms that use arithmetic operators (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, modulus, integer division, exponentiation), relational operators (equal to, less than, greater than, not equal to, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to) and logical operators (AND, OR, NOT).
• Algorithms: Develop the ability to determine the correct output of an algorithm when supplied with a set of data and use a trace table to determine what value a variable will hold at a given point in an algorithm.
• Algorithms: Develop understanding of types of errors that can occur in programs (syntax, logic, runtime) and develop the ability to identify and correct logic errors in algorithms.
• Algorithms: Build an explanation of the way standard algorithms (bubble sort, merge sort, linear search, binary search) work.
• Algorithms: Develop the ability to use logical reasoning and test data to evaluate an algorithm’s fitness for purpose and efficiency (quantity of compares, quantity of passes through a loop, use of memory).
• Truth tables: Develop the ability to apply logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) in truth tables for no more than three inputs to solve problems.
• Binary: Recognise that computers use binary to represent data (numbers, text, sound, graphics) and program instructions and develop the ability to determine the maximum quantity of states that may be represented by a binary pattern of a given length.
• Binary: Build an explanation of the way computers represent and manipulate unsigned integers and two’s complement signed integers.
• Binary: Develop the ability to convert between denary and 8-bit binary numbers (0 to 255, -128 to +127).
• Binary: Develop the ability to add together two positive binary patterns and apply logical and arithmetic binary shifts.
• Binary: Develop understanding of the concept of overflow when working with the quantity of bits available to store a value.
• Binary: Develop understanding of why hexadecimal notation is used and develop the ability to convert between hexadecimal and binary.
• Data representation: Build an explanation of the way computers encode characters using 7-bit ASCII.
• Data representation: Build an explanation of the way bitmap images are represented in binary (pixels, resolution, colour depth).
• Data representation: Build an explanation of the way analogue sound is represented in binary (amplitude, sample rate, bit depth, sample interval).
• Data representation: Develop understanding of the limitations of binary representation of data when constrained by the quantity of available bits.
• Data storage and compression: Recognise that data storage is measured in binary multiples (bit, nibble, byte, kibibyte, mebibyte, gibibyte, tebibyte) and develop the ability to construct expressions to calculate file sizes and data capacity requirements.
• Data storage and compression: Give reasons why there is a need for data compression and methods of compressing data (lossless, lossy).
• Hardware: Develop understanding of the von Neumann stored program concept and the role of main memory (RAM), CPU (control unit, arithmetic logic unit, registers), clock, address bus, data bus, control bus in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
• Hardware: Develop understanding of the role of secondary storage and the ways in which data is stored on devices (magnetic, optical, solid state).
• Hardware: Develop understanding of the concept of an embedded system and what embedded systems are used for.
• Software: Develop understanding of the purpose and functionality of an operating system (file management, process management, peripheral management, user management).
• Software: Develop understanding of the purpose and functionality of utility software (file repair, backup, data compression, disk defragmentation, anti-malware).
• Software: Develop understanding of the importance of developing robust software and methods of identifying vulnerabilities (audit trails, code reviews).
• Programming languages: Develop understanding of the characteristics and purposes of low-level and high-level programming languages.
• Programming languages: Build an explanation of the way an interpreter differs from a compiler in the way it translates high-level code into machine code.
• Networks: Develop understanding of why computers are connected in a network.
• Networks: Develop understanding of distinct types of networks (LAN, WAN).
• Networks: Build an explanation of the way the internet is structured (IP addressing, routers).
• Networks: Build an explanation of the way the characteristics of wired and wireless connectivity impact on performance (speed, range, latency, bandwidth).
• Networks: Recognise that network speeds are measured in bits per second (kilobit, megabit, gigabit) and develop the ability to construct expressions involving file size, transmission rate and time.
• Networks: Develop understanding of the role of and need for network protocols (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP) and email protocols (POP3, SMTP, IMAP).
• Networks: Build an explanation of the way the 4-layer (application, transport, internet, link) TCP/IP model handles data transmission over a network.
• Networks: Develop understanding of characteristics of network topologies (bus, star, mesh).
• Network security: Develop understanding of the importance of network security, ways of identifying network vulnerabilities (penetration testing, ethical hacking) and methods of protecting networks (access control, physical security, firewalls).
• Environmental issues: Develop understanding of environmental issues associated with the use of digital devices (energy consumption, manufacture, replacement cycle, disposal).
• Ethical and legal issues: Develop understanding of ethical and legal issues associated with the collection and use of personal data (privacy, ownership, consent, misuse, data protection).
• Ethical and legal issues: Develop understanding of ethical and legal issues associated with the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics (accountability, safety, algorithmic bias, legal liability).
• Ethical and legal issues: Develop understanding of methods of intellectual property protection for computer systems and software (copyright, patents, trademarks, licencing).
• Cybersecurity: Develop understanding of the threat to digital systems posed by malware (viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, key loggers) and how hackers exploit technical vulnerabilities (unpatched software, out-of-date anti-malware) and use social engineering to carry out cyberattacks.
• Cybersecurity: Develop understanding of methods of protecting digital systems and data (anti-malware, encryption, acceptable use policies, backup and recovery procedures).