ZIMBABWE
MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
FORMS 1 - 4
2015 - 2022
COMPUTER SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Curriculum Development and Technical ServicesP. O. Box MP 133Mount Pleasant
Harare© All Rights Reserved
2015
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education wishes to acknowledge the following for their valued contributions in the development of this syllabus:
• The National Computer Science Panel comprising of- Representatives of Computer Science Teachers- The Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC)- Representatives from Teachers’ and Technical Colleges- Representatives from Universities
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)• UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)
i
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
ii
CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................................................................i
CONTENTS ...........................................................................................................................................ii
1.0 PREAMBLE ....................................................................................................................................5
2.0 PRESENTATION OF SYLLABUS .................................................................................................5
3.0 AIMS ................................................................................................................................................5
4.0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................5
5.0 METHODOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATION ..................................................................................6
6.0 TOPICS ...........................................................................................................................................6
7.0 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE CHART ................................................................................................7
8.0 COMPETENCY MATRIX .................................................................................................................9
FORM 1 .................................................................................................................................................9
FORM 2 .................................................................................................................................................13
FORM 3 .................................................................................................................................................17
FORM 4 .................................................................................................................................................22
9.0 ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................26
10.0 GLOSSARY/ APPENDICES .........................................................................................................30
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
5
1.0 PREAMBLE
1.1 Introduction
Thissyllabusisdesignedtocoverthefirstfouryearsof Secondary Education in Computer Science, which provides essential skills in problem solving. It prepares learners for further education or branching to more specificandspecialisedfieldsofcomputing.Learnerswill be able to use the acquired skills to solve day to day life and work-related problems in the globally competitive information age.
1.2 Rationale
The learning area provides a foundation for further studiesinspecializedareasofcomputingandequipslearners with computer related skills for self-sustenance. Computer Science promotes innovative thinking for socio-economic development and equips learners with knowledge of the evolving nature of technology, while applying research skills in Computer based projects
1.3 Summary of Content (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes)
Computer Science is a learning area which among others encompasses Computer Applications, Network technologies, Technopreneurship, Computer Architecture, System Development, Security and ethical principles that meet local and global standards.
1.4 Assumptions
It is assumed that learners:
• havehadsomeexposuretoICTtools• haveacquiredbasiccomputerliteracyskills• havecompletedtheJuniorICTlearningarea
1.5 Cross- cutting themes
The teaching and learning of Computer Science should integrate the following cross cutting themes:
• Financialliteracy• Collaboration
• HIVandAIDS• Guidanceandcounseling• Heritagestudies• HumanRightsandResponsibilities• ChildProtection• Gender• Environmentalissues• DisasterRiskmanagement
2.0 PRESENTATION OF SYLLABUSThe Computer Science syllabus is presented as one document for Forms 1 to 4.
3.0 AIMSThe syllabus aims to enable learners to:
3.1 appreciate the organisation of computer systems 3.2 demonstrate an understanding of the issues sur-
rounding the development and use of information communication technologies (ICTs)
3.3 develop programming and analysis skills through system development.
3.4 foster a culture of innovative thinking for so-cio-economic development
4.0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVESLearnersshouldbeableto:
4.1 describe a range of information processing sys-tems
4.2 explain the effects of introducing information processing systems both to individuals and to the organizations
4.3 explain the functions of individual hardware and software components of ICT systems and their Interrelationship
4.4 use computers sensibly to generate, implement and document solutions appropriately (3.4)
4.5 demonstrate the techniques used to solve real life problems (3.5)
4.6analyseICTapplicationsintermsofdataflowand system requirements(3.4)
4.7 analyse, evaluate, make reasoned judgments and present conclusions (3.5)
4.8demonstrateproficiencyinthecreation,designand implementation of computer solutions using-programming packages (3.6)
4.9 conduct research using the internet (3.3) (3.
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
6
4.10 develop an understanding of the component parts of computer systems and how they inter-re-late including software, data, hardware, commu-nications and people (3.1)
4.11analyseorganize,interpretandpresent information in a variety of forms (3.5)
5.0 METHODOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATION
Methodology
The teaching and learning of Computer Science is based on a learner-centred approach. The following methods are recommended:
• Problemsolving• E-learning• Multi-media• Simulationandmodeling• Discovery• Experimentation• Designbasedlearning• Project-basedlearning• Questionandanswer• Demonstrations• Discussion• EducationalTours• ResearchandPresentations• Expertguestpresentations
Time Allocation
The subject should be allocated at least 6 periods of 35 – 40 minutes per week. At least 2 of the periods should be devoted to theory and 4 of the periods to practical work.
6.0 TOPICSThe syllabus consists of the following topics:
6.1 HardwareandSoftware6.2 Application of Computer Science6.3 Data Representation6.4 Communication Networks and Internet technolo-
gies6.5 Security and Ethics6.6 Systems Analysis and Design6.7 Algorithm Design and Problem Solving
6.8 Programming6.9 Databases6.10 Web Design6.11 Technopreneurship
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
7
7.0
SCO
PE A
ND
SEQ
UEN
CE
CH
AR
T
TOPI
CFO
RM
1FO
RM
2FO
RM
3FO
RM
4H
ardw
are
and
Softw
are
•Inputdevices
•Outputdevices
•Storagedevices
•Processingdevices
•So
ftwareconcepts
•Ap
plicationsoftw
are
•System
software
•Hardw
aredevices
•Operatingsystem
s•
Hardw
areandsoftw
are
mai
nten
ance
App
licat
ion
of C
ompu
ter
Scie
nce
•Ag
riculture
•Ba
nkingsystem
s•
Education
•So
cialnetworks
•Researchanddevelopm
ent
•Ag
riculture
•Transportm
anagem
ent
•Health
•En
vironm
entalm
anage-
men
t•
Robotics
•Ag
riculture
•Com
puteraidedmanufac
-tu
ring
•Intellig
entsystems
•Wildlifemanagem
ent
•Mining
•Ag
riculture
•Am
bientsystems
•GeographicInformation
Syst
em
Dat
a R
epre
sent
atio
n•
BinaryNum
berS
ystem
•Datarepresentationusing
bina
ry
•Conversion
•denarytobinary
•binarytodenary
•BinaryOperations
•additionandsubtraction
•Unitsofstorage
•Num
berbases
•Logicgates
•Truthtables
Com
mun
icat
ion
Net
wor
ks
and
Inte
rnet
Tec
hnol
ogie
s•
NetworkingConcepts
•Typesofnetworks
•NetworkTopologies
•Internetservices
•Datatransmissionmodes
•Datatransmissionmedia
•TypesofNetworks
•InternetServiceProviders
•Mobiletechnology
•CloudServices
•Networkprotocols
•NetworkingDevices
Secu
rity
and
Ethi
cs (U
nhu/
Ubuntu/Vum
unhu
•Cyber-wellness(Unhu/
Ubuntu/Vu
munhu)
•Copyrightissues
•Plagiarismandpiracy
•Com
puterC
rime
•Dataprotectionmeasures
•Com
puterE
thics
•PrivacyandDataIntegrity
•System
security
•Cybercrime
•Databackup
•Disasterrecoveryplan
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
8
TOPI
CFO
RM
1FO
RM
2FO
RM
3FO
RM
4Sy
stem
Ana
lysi
s an
d D
esig
n•
System
sdevelopm
entlife
cycl
e •
Problemidentification
•Feasibilitystudy
•System
sAn
alysis
•System
sDesign
•Development&
Testing
•Docum
entation
•UserTraining
•Implem
entation,Evaluation
and
Mai
nten
ance
Alg
orith
m D
esig
n an
d Pr
oble
m-s
olvi
ng•
IntroductiontoAlgorithm
Tool
s •
SequenceConstruct
•Algorithm
Tools
•Algorithm
Tools
•InterpretingandTesting
Algo
rithm
s
•Algorithm
Design
Prog
ram
min
g•
ProgrammingConcepts
•ProgrammingConcepts
•Functions
•TestingandDebugging
•Interfacedesign
•Interfacedesign
•VisualProgram
ming
•TestingandDebugging
•Errors
•Codingprograms
•TestingandDebugging
Dat
abas
es•
DatabaseCreation
•Filestructureelem
ents
•Databaseobjectsand
view
s
•Databaseobjectsand
view
s•
Datamanipulationmethods
•Dataanalysis
•Databasesecurity
•Databaseobjectsand
view
s•
Externaldatasources
•Databasesecurity
•Ad
vancedQueries
•Databaseconnection
•Databasesecurity
Web
des
ign
•Webpagetemplates
•Webcontentdevelopment
•Contentmanagem
ent
syst
ems
(CM
S) W
eb s
ite
tem
plat
es•
WebContentDevelopment
•TestingandDebugging
•PluginsandExtensions
•CMS
•Graphicdesign
•Ad
s•
WebSecurity
•Plugins/Extensions
•Webdevelopment
•WebSecurity
•TestingandDebugging
Tech
nopr
eneu
rshi
p•
Elem
entsofIntellectual
Cap
ital
•Bu
sinessEthics(Unhu/
Ubuntu/Vu
munhu)
•Marketingandbusiness
stra
tegi
es
•En
vironm
entaltechnopre
-ne
ursh
ip c
ompo
nent
s•
Technologyinnovationand
desi
gn th
inki
ng
•Lawsandpoliciesontech
-no
pren
eurs
hip
•IntellectualPropertyRights
•Financeandfunding
•Marketresearch
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
9
8.0
CO
MPE
TEN
CY
MAT
RIX
FOR
M 1
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, ATT
I-TU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.1
Har
dwar
e an
d
so
ftwar
e•
explainhowhardw
are
devi
ces
wor
k•
connecthardwaredevic-
es•
identifytypesofsoftware
•Inputdevices
•Outputdevices
•Storagedevices
•Processingdevices
•So
ftwareconcepts
•Identifyinghardw
aredevices
•Connectingandtroubleshooting
hard
war
e de
vice
s•
ClassifyingtypesofSoftware
•Conductingeducationaltoursto
tech
nolo
gy c
ente
rs
•PC
sandLaptops
•Printers
•Multim
ediatutorials
8.2
App
licat
ion
of
C
ompu
ter S
cien
ce•
describeareasofcom
-pu
ter a
pplic
atio
ns•
Agriculture
•Ba
nkingsystem
s•
Education
•So
cialnetworks
•ResearchandDevelopment
•Distinguishingdifferentcom
puter
appl
icat
ions
•Conductingeducationaltoursto
busi
ness
org
anis
atio
ns
•Internet
•Printm
edia
•Multim
ediaTutorials
8.3
Dat
a R
epre
sent
atio
n•
outlinetheconceptof
bina
ry n
umbe
r sys
tem
•
recognizetheuseand
impo
rtanc
e of
bin
ary
num
bers
in c
ompu
ter
syst
em
•BinaryNum
berS
ystem
•Datarepresentationusingbinary
•Usinglogiccircuitstorepresent
bina
ry n
umbe
r sys
tem
•Discussingbinarynum
bersystem
•PrintM
edia
•Internet
•Calculators
•Circuitboards
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
10
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.4
Com
mun
icat
ion
Net
wor
ks a
nd In
tern
et
Tech
nolo
gies
•outlinetheconceptof
com
pute
r net
wor
ks•
describenetworktopolo
-gi
es•
useInternetservices
•NetworkingConcepts
•TypesofNetworks
-LA
N-
WAN
•Networktopologies
- St
ar-
Rin
g-
Bus
- M
esh
•Internetservices
- Em
ail
- E-
com
mer
ce-
E-le
arni
ng-
Soci
al m
edia
•Definingnetworkterms
•Illustratingnetworktopologies
•Discussinginternetservices
•UtilisingInternetservices
•Conductingeducationaltoursto
Inte
rnet
ser
vice
pro
vide
rs
•Printm
edia
•Multim
ediatutorials
•Internet
8.5
Secu
rity
and
Ethi
cs
(Unh
u/U
bunt
u/Vu
mun
hu•
outlinethecharacteris
-tic
s of
cyb
er c
ultu
re a
nd
its im
pact
•describethecharacter-
istic
s of
saf
e an
d un
safe
si
tes
•suggesteffectsofonline
cont
ent a
nd b
ehav
iour
•explaintheimportanceof
copy
right
s•
describeconsequences
of p
lagi
aris
m a
nd p
iracy
•Cyberwellness
- C
yber
use
-Handlingonlinecontentandbe-
havi
or-
Onlinerelationship
•Copyrightissues
•Plagiarismandpiracy
•Discussingoncyberuseand
cultu
re•
Checkingforsafetyofwebsites
•Blockingunsafewebsites
•Discussingsocialim
pactofonline
cont
ent a
nd b
ehav
iour
s•
Carryingoutcam
paignsononline
rela
tions
hips
•Discussingthecopyrightsact
•Casestudiesoncopyrightsis
-su
es•
Researchingandreportingon
cons
eque
nces
of p
lagi
aris
m a
nd
pira
cy•
Usingantiplagiarismsoftwareto
chec
k fo
r pla
giar
ism
in a
doc
u-m
ent
•Internet
•ZuluURLRiskAn
a-lyzer
•Com
odoWebIn
-sp
ecto
r•
Multim
ediatutorials
•Guestexperts
•CopyrightAct
(Cha
pter
26:
1)•
Anti-plagiarism
softw
are
such
as
Turn-it-in,V
iper,
See
Sow
les
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
11
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, ATT
I-TU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.6
Syst
em A
naly
sis
and
Des
ign
•outlinethestagesinthe
syst
ems
deve
lopm
ent l
ife
cycle(SDLC
)•
identifyproblemsofthe
exis
ting
syst
em
•System
sDevelopmentLifeCycle
Overview
-GenericModel
•Problemidentification
- Pr
elim
inar
y in
vest
igat
ion
•Datacollectiontechniques
(Questionnaire,Interview
,Record
inspection,Observation)
•Discussingthestagesinvolvedin
syst
em d
evel
opm
ent
•Statingtheactivitiesunderprob-
lemidentification
•Conductingcasestudieson
problemidentification
•Printm
edia
•Multim
ediatutorials
8.7
Alg
orith
m D
esig
n an
d Pr
oble
m-s
olvi
ng•
defineanalgorithm
•explainthepurposeof
algo
rithm
s•
explainsequencecon
-st
ruct
•applythesequencealgo-
rithm
stru
ctur
e
•Algorithm
ToolsIntroduction
•Se
quenceConstruct
•Givingexam
plesofalgorithms
•Discussingsequenceconstruct
•Interpretingasequencealgorithm
•So
lvingproblemsusingase
-qu
ence
alg
orith
m s
truct
ure
•Dryrunningasequencealgo
-rit
hm
•Multim
ediatutorials
•Printm
ediapuzzles
•Pu
zzles
8.8
Prog
ram
min
g C
once
pts
•explainthesyntaxand
sem
antic
s of
the
pro-
gram
min
g la
ngua
ge•
declarevariablesand
cons
tant
s•
applyoperatorstosolve
prob
lem
s
•ProgrammingConcepts
- Pr
ogra
m s
truct
ure
-Variablesandconstants
- D
ata
type
s: in
tege
r, ch
arac
ter,
strin
g an
d bo
olea
n-
Operators
o Ar
ithm
etic
oLogical
o R
elat
iona
l
•Discussingthesyntaxand
sem
antic
s of
the
prog
ram
min
g la
ngua
ge•
Usingvariablesandconstantsin
a pr
ogra
m•
Solvingbasicmathematicalprob-
lem
s•
Testinganddebugging
•Casestudies
•So
ftwaredevelop-
men
t too
ls s
uch
as
Python,V
B.Net,
Java
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
12
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.9
Dat
abas
es•
createadatabase
•createafilestructure
•designforms,reports
and
quer
ies
•Databasecreation
•Filestructureelem
ents
- Fi
elds
- D
ata
type
s-
Fieldsize
- D
ata
form
ats
-Validationrulesandinput
mas
ks•
Databaseobjectsandview
s-
Queries
- Fo
rms
•Reports
•Developingadatabase
•Se
ttingfields,datatypes,for-
mats,fieldsizes,validation
chec
ks a
nd in
put m
asks
•Com
paringdatabasemodels
•Pe
rformingCRUD(C
reate,Re-
triev
e, U
pdat
e, D
elet
e) o
pera
tions
on
a ta
ble
•Creatingforms
•Designingqueries
•Runningqueries
•Designingreports
•Databasepackages
such
as
Ms
Acce
ss,
MySQL
8.10
Web
des
ign
•navigateawebpage
•custom
izewebpages
•usewebpagetemplates
to c
reat
e w
eb p
ages
•generatewebcontent
•Webpageelements
•Webpagetemplates
•Webcontentdevelopment
•Navigatingachosenwebpage
•Modifyingexistingwebpages
•Designingwebpagesusingtem
-pl
ates
•Creatinganduploadingwebpage
cont
ent
•Webdevelopment
toolssuchasJoom
-la
, Wor
dPre
ss, M
s Fr
ont P
age,
Not
e-pa
d++
•WebBrowserssuch
as F
irefo
x
8.11
Tec
hno-
pren
eurs
hip
•describetheelem
entsof
inte
llect
ual c
apita
l•
explaintheattributesof
busi
ness
eth
ics
•identifythemarketing
and
busi
ness
stra
tegi
es
elem
ents
•explaintheelem
entsof
mar
ketin
g an
d bu
sine
ss
•Elem
entsofIntellectualcapital
-Hum
ancapital
-Organisationcapital
- So
cial
cap
ital
•Bu
sinessethics(Unhu/Ubuntu/
Vumunhu)
•Marketingandbusinessstrate
-gi
es-
e-co
mm
erce
•Discussingtheelem
entsofintel
-le
ctua
l cap
ital
•Discussingtheattributesofbusi-
ness
eth
ics
•CreatinganIC
Tbasedbusiness
plan
•Discussingtheelem
entsofm
ar-
ketin
g an
d bu
sine
ss s
trate
gies
•Internet
•Printandelctronic
med
ia s
uch
as jo
ur-
nals
•Casestudy
•CZIorganization
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
13
FOR
M 2
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.12
Har
dwar
e an
d so
ftwar
e•
identifytypesofapplica-
tion
softw
are
•useutilitysoftw
areand
tool
s
•Ap
plicationsoftw
are
•Offshelfsoftw
are
-Customizedsoftware
-Opensourcesoftware
•System
softwareUtilitytools
•Discussingtypesofapplication
softw
are
•Classifyingofapplicationsoft-
war
e•
Performingsystem
optimisation
•Operatingsystem
ssuchasLinux,W
in-
dows,MAC
OS
•System
utilitytools
such
as
Tune
up,
Dis
k D
efra
gmen
ter
8.13
App
licat
ion
of
C
ompu
ter S
cien
ce•
describeareasofcom
-pu
ter a
pplic
atio
ns•
Agriculture
•Transportm
anagem
ent
•Health
•En
vironm
entalm
anagem
ent
•Robotics
•Discussingdifferentcom
puter
appl
icat
ion
area
s•
Conductingeducationaltoursto
businessorganizations
•Internet
•GIS(G
eographic
Info
rmat
ion
syst
em)
•Printm
edia
•Healthinformation
syst
ems
8.14
Dat
a R
epre
sent
atio
n•
convertnum
bersfrom
on
e ba
se to
ano
ther
•
convertkeyboardchar
-ac
ters
to A
SCII
code
•addbinarynum
bers
•subtractbinarynumbers
•Conversionofbinarytodenary
and
vice
ver
sa•
Additionofbinarynumbers
•Su
btractionofbinarynumbers
•Convertingnum
bersfrom
one
base
to a
noth
er•
Convertingkeyboardchar-
acte
rs to
bin
ary
num
bers
usi
ng
ASC
II ch
arac
ter c
odes
•Ad
dingandsubtractingbinary
num
bers
•AS
CIICharacter
Cod
es c
hart
•Internet
•Scientificcalculator
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
14
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.15
Com
mun
icat
ion
Net
-w
orks
and
Inte
rnet
Tec
h-no
logi
es
•describedatatransm
is-
sion
mod
es
•explaincharacteristicsof
trans
mis
sion
med
ia•
outlinetypesofnetworks
•explainservicesoffered
by in
tern
et s
ervi
ce p
ro-
vide
rs
•Datatransmissionmodes
- D
uple
x/fu
ll du
plex
-Halfduplex
- Si
mpl
ex
•DataTransm
issionMedia
- Tw
iste
d pa
ir-
Coa
xial
-
Opticfibre
- W
irele
ss-
Com
mon
med
ia c
hara
cter
is-
tics
(Cos
ts, N
oise
imm
unity
, Sizeandscalability)
•Typesofnetworks
-LA
N-
WAN
- PA
N-
MAN
•InternetServiceProviders(ISP
)
•Experim
entingondatatransmis
-si
on m
odes
and
tabu
latin
g re
sults
•Com
paringthecharacteristicsof
trans
mis
sion
med
ia•
Drawingnetworktypes
•Modellingtypesofnetworks
•Conductingeducationaltoursto
netw
ork
serv
ice
prov
ider
s
•Internet
•Sw
itches
•Routers
•Cables
•Com
puters
•Networkingtoolkit
8.16
Sec
urity
and
Eth
ics
(Unh
u/U
bunt
u•
explaincomputercrim
ean
d its
effe
cts
•applydataprotection
mea
sure
s•
explaintheethicalissues
that
can
aris
e fro
m o
nlin
e ac
tiviti
es
•Com
putercrim
e•
Dataprotectionmeasures
- Pa
ssw
ords
- Fi
le p
erm
issi
ons
mod
es•
Com
puterE
thics
•Discussingcomputercrim
eand
its e
ffect
s•
Applyingdataprotectionmea
-su
res
•Discussingtheimpactofunethi-
cal p
ract
ices
•An
ti-malware/anti-
viru
s so
ftwar
e•
Encryptionsoftware
suchasBitLocker
•Ap
plicationpackag
-es
suc
h as
Nitr
o•
Internet
•Multim
ediatutorials
•So
cialNetworks
8.17
Sys
tem
Ana
lysi
s an
d D
esig
n•
explainareasoffeasibili-
ty
•carryoutafeasibility
stud
y
•Feasibilitystudy
- Te
chni
cal
- Ec
onom
ic-
Legal
-Operational
•So
cial
•Discussingthedifferentareasof
feas
ibilit
y •
Conductingafeasibilitystudy
•ResearchInstru
-m
ents
•CaseStudy
•SD
LCchart
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
15
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:C
ON
TEN
T (K
NO
WLE
DG
E, S
KIL
LS,
ATTI
TUD
ES)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.18
Alg
orith
m D
esig
n an
d Pr
oble
m-s
olvi
ng•
explainselectionand
repe
titio
n co
nstru
cts
•applyselectionandrepe
-tit
ion
algo
rithm
stru
ctur
es
in p
robl
em s
olvi
ng
•Algorithm
Tools
- Ps
eudo
cod
e st
ruct
ures
-
Sele
ctio
n an
d re
petit
ion
•Discussingselectionandrepeti-
tion
cons
truct
s •
Interpretingselectionandrepeti-
tion
algo
rithm
s •
Solvingproblemsusingselection
and
repe
titio
n al
gorit
hm s
truc-
ture
s•
Dryrunningalgorithms
•Algorithm
charts
•Multim
ediatutorials
8.19
Pro
gram
min
g•
developprogramsthat
use
pseu
do c
ode
stru
c-tu
res
•developaprogramusing
func
tions
•testanddebugprogram
s
•Programmingconcepts
- C
ontro
l stru
ctur
eso
Rep
etiti
on/it
erat
ion/
loop
o Se
lect
ion
•Functions
•TestingandDebugging
•writingprogramsthatusepseudo
code
stru
ctur
es•
Applyingfunctionsinsolving
prob
lem
s•
Testinganddebugging
•Programmingtools
suchasVB
.Netand
Pyth
on•
Multim
ediatutorials
8.20
Dat
abas
es•
developdatabasesusing
data
base
obj
ects
and
vi
ews
•editdatabaseobjects
•applydatabasesecurity
cont
rols
•Databaseobjectsandview
s-
Dat
ashe
ets
-Queries
- Fo
rms
- R
epor
ts•
Datamanipulationmethods
•Databasesecurity
•Creatingadatabase
•Pe
rformingdatabaseoperations;
Cre
ate,
Rea
d, U
pdat
e an
d D
elet
e (C
RU
D)
•Se
archingandfilteringrecords
•So
rtingrecords
•Generatingreports
•Ap
plyingdatabasesecuritymea
-su
res
•Databasepackages
such
as
MS
Acce
ss,
MySQL
•Multim
ediatutorials
•ExpertGuestssuch
as D
atab
ase
Adm
in-
istra
tor
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
16
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.21
W
eb d
esig
n•
useContentManage-
men
t Sys
tem
(CM
S) te
m-
plat
es to
cre
ate
web
site
s•
custom
izeWebsites
•generatecontentusing
Graphicsdesignpack-
age
•applytheconceptof
debu
ggin
g an
d te
stin
g•
usePluginsandexten-
sion
s in
web
dev
elop
-m
ent
•CMSWebsitetemplates
-HTM
L•
Webcontentdevelopment
•TestingandDebugging
•PluginsandExtensions
•DesigningwebsitesusingCMS
web
tem
plat
es•
Creatinganduploadingwebsite
cont
ent
•Testinganddebugging
•Ap
plyingpluginsandextensions
•GraphicsSo
ftware
pack
ages
suc
h as
GIMP,W
indows
Pict
ure
Man
ager
•Webdevelopment
toolssuchasJoom
-la
, Not
epad
++•
WebBrowsers
8.22
Te
chno
pren
eurs
hip
•describethetechnopre-
neur
ship
com
pone
nts
•En
vironm
entaltechnopreneurship
com
pone
nts
- Sc
ienc
e pa
rks
- In
cuba
tion
cent
res
- Ac
adem
ic in
stitu
tions
- R
esea
rch
and
deve
lopm
ent
cent
res
•Discussingtheusesoftechno-
pren
eurs
hip
com
pone
nts
•AttendingtoIC
TExhibitionExpos
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
17
FOR
M 3
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.23
Har
dwar
e A
nd
Softw
are
•identifythevarious
appl
icat
ions
of h
ardw
are
devi
ces
•comparedifferentoper
-at
ing
syst
ems
•explainthefunctionsof
an o
pera
ting
syst
em
•Hardw
aredevices
- Ap
plic
atio
ns o
f har
dwar
e de
vice
s suchas.PointOfS
aleTerminal,
ATM
, Dat
a C
aptu
ring
Syst
em•
Operatingsystem
s-
PersonalCom
puter(PC
)Operat-
ing
Syst
ems
-MobileOperatingSystem
;An-
droi
d, S
ymbi
an, W
indo
ws
•Dem
onstratingtheuseofhard-
war
e de
vice
s•
Identifyingdifferentoperating
syst
ems
•Discussingthefunctionsofan
oper
atin
g sy
stem
•Operatingsystem
ssu
ch a
s An
droi
d,
Sym
bian
, Win
dow
s•
Mobilephones
8.24
App
licat
ion
of
Com
pute
r Sci
ence
•describeareasofcom
-pu
ter a
pplic
atio
ns•
Agriculture
•Com
puteraidedmanufacturing
•Intellig
entsystems
•Wildlifemanagem
ent
•Mining
•Distinguishingdifferentcom
puter
appl
icat
ions
•Conductingeducationaltoursto
businessorganizations
•Internet
•Printm
edia
8.25
Dat
a R
epre
sent
atio
n•
outlineunitsofstorage
•convertdenarynum
bers
to o
ctal
and
hex
adec
imal
•Unitsofstorage
- Bi
t-
Nib
ble
- By
te-
Kilo
byte
- M
egab
yte
- Te
raby
te•
Num
berbases
-Octal
-Hexadecimal
•Convertingofdenarytohexadec
-im
al, o
ctal
and
vic
e ve
rsa
•Printm
edia
•Internet
•ScientificCalculator
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
18
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.26
Com
mun
icat
ion
Net
wor
ks A
nd In
tern
et
Tech
nolo
gies
•identifytypesofmobile
tech
nolo
gies
•describetheroleof
mob
ile te
chno
logi
es i
n co
mm
unic
atio
n•
explaintheapplicationof
wire
less
tech
nolo
gies
•explaintheconceptof
clou
d co
mpu
ting
serv
ices
•Mobiletechnology
- M
obile
pho
nes
- Sa
tellit
e-
PDAs
- Ta
blet
s•
Wirelesstechnologies
- W
iFi,
- W
iMax
, -
Blue
toot
h,
- In
frare
d-
Mic
row
ave
- R
adio
wav
es•
Cloudservices
•Discussingtheapplicationof
mob
ile te
chno
logi
es
•Discussingtheapplicationof
wire
less
tech
nolo
gies
•Usingcloudservicessuchas
uploadinganddownloadingfiles
•Internet
•Cloudservicessuch
asGoogleDrive,
OneDrive,Drop
Box
•Mobiledevices
8.27
Sec
urity
And
Eth
ics
(Unh
u/U
bunt
u)•
applydataprivacymea
-su
res
•verifyandvalidatedata
•setupafirew
all
•applynetworksecurity
mea
sure
s•
identifyonlinecrimes
•Privacy
•DataIntegrity
-Verification
-Validation
•System
security
•Cybercrime
-Sp
oofing
-Sn
iffing
- Fr
aud
•Hacking
•Creatinguseraccountswithdif-
fere
nt a
cces
s le
vels
•Usingverificationtechniques
durin
g da
ta c
aptu
ring
•Usingvalidationtechniquesto
valid
ate
data
suc
h as
che
cksu
m,
form
at c
heck
•Configuringafirew
all
•Protectingnetworksusingproxy
serv
ers
•Discussinguseofdigitalsigna
-tureandcertificates
•Discussingonlinecrime
•Databasepackage
•Validationtools
•Multim
ediatutorials
•Utilitytools
•Internet
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
19
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.28
Sys
tem
Ana
lysi
s an
d D
esig
n•
describetheactivities
invo
lved
in th
e an
alys
is
stag
e•
applysystemanalysis
on p
roje
cts
•describetheactivities
invo
lved
in th
e de
sign
st
age
•designinput,outputand
user
inte
rface
for t
he
proj
ect
•designfilestructuresand
tabl
es•
constructsystemflow
ch
arts
and
pse
udo
code
s•
explainactivitiesinvolved
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t and
te
stin
g st
age
•System
sAn
alysis
- Al
tern
ativ
e so
lutio
ns
- D
ata
Flow
Dia
gram
s (D
FDs)
- Ac
tivity
dia
gram
•System
sDesign
- In
put/
outp
ut d
esig
n-
Use
r int
erfa
ce d
esig
n-
Dat
abas
e/ F
ile d
esig
n-
Syst
em F
low
Cha
rts-
Algo
rithm
des
ign
•Development&
Testing
- C
odin
g-
Test
ing
•Explainingtheactivitiesinvolved
in s
yste
ms
anal
ysis
•Conductingcasestudiesonanal
-ys
is (o
n sm
all s
cale
) •
Statingtheactivitiesinthedesign
phas
e•
Illustratingdesigntools
•Conductingcasestudiesonde
-si
gn s
tag
•Describingthedevelopm
entand
test
ing
phas
e•
Designingatestingstrategy/plan
for a
giv
en s
ituat
ion
Des
ign
tool
s•
CAS
Etools
•An
alysistools
8.29
Alg
orith
m D
esig
n A
nd P
robl
em-S
olvi
ng•
designflow
charts
•constructpseudocodes
•usetopdownapproach
to re
pres
ent a
n al
gorit
hm•
usetracetablestodry
run
algo
rithm
s•
corre
cterro
rsinanalgo
-rit
hm
•Algorithm
Tools
- Fl
ow c
hart
- Ps
eudo
cod
e -
Top
dow
n an
d bo
ttom
up
de-
sign
•InterpretingandTestingAlgo
-rit
hms
•Creatingflowcharts
•Developingpseudocodesto
solv
e pr
oble
ms
•Breakingdow
nprobleminto
sub-
prob
lem
s•
Dryrunninganalgorithm
•Debuggingalgorithms
•Algorithm
charts
•Sm
artD
raw
•MSVisio
•Tracetable
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
20
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G R
ESO
UR
CES
8.30
Pro
gram
min
g•
createuserinterfaces
•declarefunctionsuseob-
ject
s in
inte
rface
des
ign
•testanddebugprogram
s•
identifytypesoferro
rs
•applyerrorhandling
tech
niqu
es in
pro
gram
-m
ing
•Interfacedesign
•VisualProgram
ming
- Fu
nctio
ns-
Objects
•TestingandDebugging
•Errors
•Designingmenusandsubmenus
•Usingfunctionsinaprogram
•Choosingappropriateobjectsin
inte
rface
des
ign
•Testinganddebuggingprograms
•Discussingtypesoferro
rs•
Usingerro
rhandlingtechniques
•Programming
pack
ages
suc
h as
Python,V
B,Java
•ExpertGuests
8.31
Dat
abas
es•
createrelationaldata-
base
s•
designformsandreports
•createqueries
•importandexportdata
•applydatabasesecurity
•Databaseobjectsandview
s-
Queries
- Fo
rms
- R
epor
ts•
Externaldatasources
•Databasesecurity
•Creatingarelationaldatabase
•Generatingforms,queriesand
repo
rts•
ImportingandExportingdata
•Usingdatabasesecuritymea
-su
res
•Databasepackages
such
as
Mic
roso
ft ac
cess
, ora
cle,
MySQL
8.32
Web
Des
ign
•useContentManage-
men
t Sys
tem
(CM
S) te
m-
plat
es to
cre
ate
web
site
s•
custom
izeWebsites
•generatecontentusing
Graphicdesignpackag
-es
•integratewebsecurityin
web
des
igni
ng
•Contentmanagem
entsystems
- W
eb fe
eds
- Ad
s•
Graphicdesign
- An
imat
ions
-Videos
•Websecurity
- C
ooki
es-
Dev
elop
er to
ols
- Pl
ugin
s/Ex
tens
ions
•DesignwebsitesusingCMSweb
tem
plat
es•
Creatinganduploadingwebsite
cont
ent
•Usinggraphicdesignpackages
in w
eb d
evel
opm
ent
•Ap
plyingsecuritymeasuresin
web
des
igni
ng
•Testinganddebugging
•CMSsuchas
Wordpress,Joomla,
Dru
pal
•GraphicsDesign
Pack
ages
suc
h as
Ad
obe
Flas
h Ph
oto-
shop
•
Webdevelopment
tool
s•
Brow
sers
•ExpertGuests
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
21
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
,AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.33
Tec
hnop
rene
ursh
ip•
identifylawsthatgovern
tech
nopr
eneu
rshi
p•
describetheintellectual
prop
ertie
s rig
hts
•Lawsandpoliciesontechnopre-
neur
ship
•IntellectualPropertyRights
- Pa
tent
s-
Cop
yrig
hts
•Discussingthelawsandpolicies
of te
chno
pren
eurs
hip
•Describingtheintellectualproper-
ty ri
ghts
•Internet
•Electronicandprint
med
ia•
ExpertGuests
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
22
FOR
M 4
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.34
Har
dwar
e A
nd
Softw
are
•replacemalfunctioning
com
pone
nts
•troubleshootandfix
com
mon
sof
twar
e an
d ha
rdw
are
prob
lem
s
•Hardw
areandsoftw
aremainte-
nanc
e-
Com
mon
Erro
rs
- So
ftwar
e-
Keyb
oard
- M
ouse
-Harddrive
- M
emor
y
•Maintaininghardw
areandsoft-
war
e •
BuildingafunctionalPC
•Hardw
are
com
pone
nts
•So
ftwaretoolkit
•Repairtoolkit
•Internet
•Multim
ediatutorials
8.35
App
licat
ion
Of
Com
pute
r Sci
ence
•designmodelsofAgricul
-tu
ral s
yste
ms,
Am
bien
t system
sandGeographic
Info
rmat
ion
Syst
ems
•Ag
riculture
•Am
bientsystems
•GeographicInformationSystem
•Constructingmodelsofgiven
syst
ems
•Hardw
are
c
ompo
nent
s•
Softw
aretoolkit
•Internet
•Multim
ediatutorials
•ExpertGuests
8.36
Dat
a R
epre
sent
atio
n•
representlogicgates
usin
g sy
mbo
ls•
constructtruthtables
•modelelectroniccircuits
usin
g lo
gic
gate
s
•Logicgates
•Truthtables
•Drawinglogicgates
•Constructingtruthtablesusingup
to 3
inpu
ts•
Modellinglogiccircuits
•Internet
•Circuitboards
•Designtoolkits
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
23
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.37
Com
mun
icat
ion
Net
wor
ks A
nd In
tern
et
Tech
nolo
gies
•explainnetworkproto-
cols
•explainfunctionsofthe
netw
orki
ng d
evic
es•
designanetworkmodel
•configureanetwork
•Networkprotocols
- Tr
ansm
issi
on C
ontro
l Pro
to-
col/I
nter
net P
roto
col (
TCP/
IP)
-OpenSystem
Interconnection
(OSI)
•Networkingdevices
-Hub
- R
oute
r-
Switc
h-
Brid
ge-
Mod
em
•Discussingnetworkprotocols
•An
alyzingnetworktrafficusing
protocolanalyzers
•Discussingfunctionsofnetwork-
ing
devi
ces
•Configuringanetworkmodel
•Protocolanalyzers
such
as
Wire
shar
k•
Networkingdevices
•Networktoolkit
•Internet
8.38
Sec
urity
And
Eth
ics
(Unh
u/U
bunt
u)•
backupfiles
•formulatearecovery
plan
•usedatarecoverytools
•DataBa
ckup
•Disasterrecovery
•Creatingbackupfiles
•Creatingarecoveryplan
•Usingdatarecoverytools
•Se
rver/P
C•
Cloudservicessuch
asDropbox,Google
drive,Onedrive
•Se
condarystorage
med
ia•
Recoverytoolssuch
as R
ecuv
a
8.39
Sys
tem
Ana
lysi
s A
nd
Des
ign
•describethetypesof
docu
men
tatio
n an
d th
eir
cont
ents
•outlinetheimportanceof
user
trai
ning
in c
arry
ing
out a
pro
ject
•describetheactivities
invo
lved
in th
e im
ple-
men
tatio
n, e
valu
atio
n an
d m
aint
enan
ce s
tage
s
•Docum
entation
•UserTraining
•Implem
entation,Evaluationand
Mai
nten
ance
•Listingcontentsofuserandtech
-ni
cal d
ocum
enta
tion
•Conductingcasestudiesondoc-
umen
tatio
n an
d us
er-tr
aini
ng•
Discussingimplem
entationmeth-
ods,
eva
luat
ion
tech
niqu
es a
nd
the
need
for s
yste
m m
aint
enan
ce
•Printandelectronic
med
ia•
Projectplantem
-pl
ate
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
24
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.40
Pro
blem
-Sol
ving
•designalgorithms
•Algorithm
sDesign
•Writingalogarithmsforthe
proj
ect
•ProjectP
lanTem
-pl
ate
•Multim
ediaTutorials
8.41
Pro
gram
min
g•
developprojectcode
usin
g pr
ogra
mm
ing
c
once
pts
•testanddebugprogram
s
•Codingprograms
•TestingandDebugging
•Writingcodeforprojectmodules
•Testinganddebuggingproject
mod
ules
•PrintandElectronic
med
ia•
Programmingtools
•Internet
8.42
Dat
abas
e•
createqueriesbasedon
mul
tiple
tabl
es•
linkdatabasetoproject
mod
ules
•applysecuritymeasures
to d
atab
ase
•Ad
vancedQueries
•Databaseconnection
•DatabaseSe
curity
•Pe
rformingdatabaseoperations
•Connectingdatabasetoproject
mod
ules
•Ap
plyingsecuritymeasureson
data
base
s
•Databasepackages
such
as
Mic
roso
ft Access,O
racle,
MySQL
8.43
Web
des
ign
•developWebsitesusing
web
dev
elop
men
t too
ls•
applysecuritymeasures
in w
eb d
evel
opm
ent
•testanddebugaweb
appl
icat
ion
•Webdevelopment
•Websecurity
•TestingandDebugging
•Designinganddevelopinga
web
site
•
usingsecuritymeasuresinweb
deve
lopm
ent
•Testinganddebuggingaweb
appl
icat
ion
•CMSsuchas
Wordpress,Joomla,
Dru
pal
•GraphicSoftware
such
as
Adob
e Fl
ash,
Pho
tosh
op
•Webdevelopment
tool
s•
Brow
sers
•Multim
ediatutorials
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
25
SKIL
L/TO
PIC
OB
JEC
TIVE
SLe
arne
rs s
houl
d be
abl
e to
:
CO
NTE
NT
(KN
OW
LED
GE,
SK
ILLS
, AT
TITU
DES
)
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G A
CTI
VITI
ES A
ND
N
OTE
S
SUG
GES
TED
LE
AR
NIN
G
RES
OU
RC
ES
8.44
Tec
hnop
rene
ursh
ip
•outlinefinancialresource
com
pone
nts
•identifyidealconditions
for b
usin
ess
loca
tion
•Financeandfunding
•Marketresearch
•Discussingfinanceandfunding
oppo
rtuni
ties
•Discussingidealconditionsfor
busi
ness
loca
tion
•Conductingmarketsurveys
•PrintandElectronic
med
ia•
ICTTools
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
26
9.0 ASSESSMENTInordertohaveaholisticassessmentofthelearner,learnerswillbeassessedinthefollowingthreeaspects;forma-tive,continuousandsummativeassessmentwitheachcontributingtothelearner’sfinalgrade.
9.1 Assessment Objectives
(i) Knowledge and Understanding
Learnersshouldbeableto:
• describearangeofinformationprocessingsystems• explaintheeffectsofintroducinginformationprocessingsystemsbothtoindividualsandtotheorganizations
explain the functions of individual hardware and software components of ICT systems and their interrelation-ships
(ii) Problem Solving
Learnersshouldbeableto:
• usecomputerstogenerate,implementanddocumentsolutionsappropriately• demonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofthetechniquesusedtosolvereallifeproblems• analyzesoftwareprogramsintermsofdataflowandsystemrequirements• analyze,evaluate,makereasonedjudgmentsandpresentconclusions
(iii) Communication Skills
Learnersshouldbeableto:
• developanunderstandingofthecomponentpartsofcomputersystemsandhowtheyinter-relate• interpretandorganizeinformation• recognizeandpresentinformationinavarietyofforms
(iv) Practical Skills
Learnersshouldbeableto:
• createcomputerbasedsystemsfollowingtheSystemsDevelopmentLifeCycle(SDLC)model• conductresearchusingtheinternet
9.2 Scheme of AssessmentThe Scheme of Assessment is intended to encourage positive achievement by all learners. The subject will be examined in 5 papers as shown in the table below.
Paper Type of Paper Duration Weighting1 Multiple Choice 1 hour 102 Structured 2 hours 303 Practical Test 3 hours 404 SBA (School Based Assessment) Coursework 105 Project Project 10Total 100%
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
27
9.3 SpecificationGrid(i) Content distributionPAPER 1
TOPIC WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 10 Security and Ethics (Unhu /Ubuntu) 10
System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 10 Databases 10 Web Design 5 Technopreneurship 5 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 15 Security and Ethics (Unhu/Ubuntu) 10 System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 5 Database 5 Web Design 5 Databases 10 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Programming 50 Databases 30 Web Designing 20 TOTAL 100
TOPIC WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 10 Security and Ethics (Unhu /Ubuntu) 10
System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 10 Databases 10 Web Design 5 Technopreneurship 5 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 15 Security and Ethics (Unhu/Ubuntu) 10 System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 5 Database 5 Web Design 5 Databases 10 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Programming 50 Databases 30 Web Designing 20 TOTAL 100
TOPIC WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 10 Security and Ethics (Unhu /Ubuntu) 10
System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 10 Databases 10 Web Design 5 Technopreneurship 5 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 10 Application of Computer Science 10 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 15 Security and Ethics (Unhu/Ubuntu) 10 System Analysis and Design 10 Algorithm Design and Problem-solving 10 Programming 5 Database 5 Web Design 5 Databases 10 TOTAL 100
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Programming 50 Databases 30 Web Designing 20 TOTAL 100
PAPER 2
PAPER 3 Option A
PAPER 3 Option B
NB: The Paper is 100% practical skills
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 30 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 50 Technopreneurship 10 TOTAL 100
Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4 Totals Terms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Theory Assignments - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Tests - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Practical Assignments - - - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 - 5 TOTAL - 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 - 25
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange ATM Automated Teller Machine CMS Content Management System CRUD Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete CZI Consumer Council in Zimbabwe DFD Data Flow Diagram HTML Hyper Text Markup Language ICT Information and Communication Technology Internet International Network ISP Internet Service Provider LAN Local Area Network MAN Metropolitan Area Network OSI Open System Interconnection PAN Personal Area Network PC Personal Computer PDA Personal Digital Assistant SDLC Systems Development Life Cycle TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol URL Uniform Resource Locator WAN Wide Area Network WiFi Wireless Fidelity WiMax World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
28
PAPER 4 (Continuous Assessment)
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 30 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 50 Technopreneurship 10 TOTAL 100
Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4 Totals Terms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Theory Assignments - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Tests - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Practical Assignments - - - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 - 5 TOTAL - 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 - 25
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange ATM Automated Teller Machine CMS Content Management System CRUD Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete CZI Consumer Council in Zimbabwe DFD Data Flow Diagram HTML Hyper Text Markup Language ICT Information and Communication Technology Internet International Network ISP Internet Service Provider LAN Local Area Network MAN Metropolitan Area Network OSI Open System Interconnection PAN Personal Area Network PC Personal Computer PDA Personal Digital Assistant SDLC Systems Development Life Cycle TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol URL Uniform Resource Locator WAN Wide Area Network WiFi Wireless Fidelity WiMax World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access
NB: Continuous assessment will be made up of 10 assignments, 10 tests and 5 practical assignments. These will be covered in a period of 4 years. All assignments and tests will be marked out of 100
(ii) Skills distribution
All internal and external theoretical assessments shall be 40% knowledge and understanding plus 60% problem solving.All internal and external practical assessments shall be 100% practical skills.
9.4 Grade Descriptors
Theschemeofassessmentisintendedtoencouragepositiveachievementbyalllearners.Gradedescriptorsaretherefore provided for pass grades A, B and C to give a general indication of the standards of achievement expected oflearnersawardedparticulargrades.ThedescriptorsmustbeinterpretedinrelationtothecontentspecifiedbytheComputerSciencesyllabusbutarenotdesignedtodefinethatcontent.Thegradeawardedwilldependinpracticeonthe extent to which the learner has met the overall assessment objectives.
Grade Descriptor
A
1. Managefilesproficientlyincludingsorting,searchingandfoldercreation.2. FormulateappropriatesolutionstoidentifiedproblemsusingVisualBasicandDatabase3. Demonstrateanabilitytoanalyzeaproblem,identifyanddefinethecomputingrequirementsap-
propriate to its solution.4. An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in
the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.
5. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the contents and use of system documentation6. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the use of computers in communication and the role
played by networks in enhancing communication.7. An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of
varying complexity.8. Analyzeallthestagesofsystemsdevelopmentlifecycleandevaluatesituationsandcomeupwith
distinguished solutions using system development tools. 9. Evaluate situations and come up with distinguished solutions using system development tools.10. Present the usability code with annotations, comments and error handling techniques.11. An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues.12. Apply ERDs to solve given problems and interpret the ERDs inclusive of cardinalities in the de-
scription13. UsecharacteristicsofVBprogramminginthecode(inheritance,polymorphismandencapsulation).14. Solve problems using logic gates.15. Use algorithms to solve problems..
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
29
Grade Descriptor
B
1. Formulatesolutionstoidentifiedproblems.2. Analyzeagivenproblemsolution.3. Understand the contents and use of system documentation.4. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of computers in communication and the role played by
networks in enhancing communication.5. Explain all the stages of systems development life cycle. 6. Show an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues.7. Assess situations and come up with solutions using system development tools.8. DrawandlabelERDsandexplaintheflowofdatainthesystem.9. Calculate binary numbers. 10. ExplaincharacteristicsofVB(inheritance,polymorphismandencapsulation).11. Code but without the element of error handling.12. Explain searching and sorting techniques. 13. Draw and interpret logic gates.14. Write and dry run algorithms
C
1. Explain situations using system development tools. 2. Draw and label ERDs to solve given problems.3. Convert binary numbers.4. Distinguish between static and dynamic data structures.5. StatecharacteristicsofVB(inheritance,polymorphismandencapsulation).6. Code but with some bugs (errors) in the code. 7. Identify searching and sorting techniques. 8. Draw logic gates.9. Dry run algorithms.10. Understand the basic use of computers in communication and the role played by networks in en-
hancing communication.11. Understandnetworkingconfiguration.12. Listallthestagesofsystemsdevelopmentlifecycle.13. Show an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues
9.5 Paper DescriptionsPaper 1: Theory (40 Marks)The paper consists of 40 compulsory multiple choice items.
Paper 2: Theory (100 Marks)The paper consists of 10 – 12 structured questions and the candidates are required to answer ALL questions in spaces provided.
Paper 3 Option A: Practical Exam (100 marks)The paper comprises practical questions on Databases, Web Design and Programming. Paper 3 Option B: Practical Exam (100 marks)ThepapercomprisespracticalquestionsonHardwareandSoftware,DataRepresentation,CommunicationandInternet Technologies and Technopreneurship. Prerelease material will be published before the end of term 1 form 4.
Paper 4: School Based Assessment (Coursework - 100 %) Coursework is made up of 10 Assignments, 10 Tests and 5 Practical Assignments set, marked and recorded internallybytheteachers.TheinternaltestsarespacedequitablyfromthebeginningoftermtwoinFormOneuptothe end of term two in Form Four. The tests shall be marked out of 100 Marks. Each test and the marking guidance usedshallbefiledtogetherwiththerecordofmarks.ThesewillbesenttoZIMSECtogetherwiththeprojectfile.
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
30
Paper 5: Project work (100%)
Pre-releasematerialswillbemadeavailabletoexaminationCentresatthebeginningofTermOneofFormFour.Examination Centres are advised to encourage their candidates to develop solutions to tasks using a high-level programminglanguage,suchasVisualBasicorPython.Thepurposeofthepre-releasematerialtasksistodirectcandidates to some of the topics which will be examined in Paper 5. The exam questions will require candidates to have practical programming experience including writing their own programs, executing (running), testing and debugging them. Knowledge of programming language syntax will not be examined in this project report. The higher ability candidates are to be encouraged to extend their practical programming beyond the scope of these tasks.
10.0 GLOSSARY/ APPENDICESAPPENDIXI:GLOSSARYOFTERMS
It is hoped that the glossary will be helpful to learners as a guide. The glossary has been deliberately kept brief not onlywithrespecttothenumberoftermsincludedbutalsotothedescriptionsoftheirmeanings.Learnersshouldappreciate that the meaning of a term must depend in part on its context.
Define is intended literally for only a formal statement or equivalent paraphrases being required.
State implies a concise answer with little or no supporting argument e.g. numerical answer that can readily be obtained by inspection.
List requires a number of points generally each of one word with no elaboration, where a number ofpointsisspecifiedthisshouldnotbeexceeded.
Explain may imply reasoning or some reference to theory depending on the context.
Describe requires the candidate to state in words (using diagrams where appropriate) the main points of the concept.
Outline implies brevity that is restricting the answer to given essentials.
Predict/deduce the candidate is expected to produce the expected answer by making a logical connection between other pieces of information.
Suggest
it is used in two main contexts that is either to imply that there is no unique answer or to imply that learners are expected to apply their general knowledge.
Find is a general term that may alternatively be interpreted as calculate, measure, determine etc.
Determine often implies that the quantity concerned cannot be measured directly but is obtained by calculation.
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
31
APPENDIX II: ACRONYMS
SECTION WEIGHTING (%) Hardware and Software 30 Data Representation 10 Communication Networks and Internet Technologies 50 Technopreneurship 10 TOTAL 100
Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4 Totals Terms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Theory Assignments - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Tests - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 10 Practical Assignments - - - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 - 5 TOTAL - 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 - 25
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange ATM Automated Teller Machine CMS Content Management System CRUD Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete CZI Consumer Council in Zimbabwe DFD Data Flow Diagram HTML Hyper Text Markup Language ICT Information and Communication Technology Internet International Network ISP Internet Service Provider LAN Local Area Network MAN Metropolitan Area Network OSI Open System Interconnection PAN Personal Area Network PC Personal Computer PDA Personal Digital Assistant SDLC Systems Development Life Cycle TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol URL Uniform Resource Locator WAN Wide Area Network WiFi Wireless Fidelity WiMax World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access
APPENDIX III: PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES
Computer Science is a practical subject and a range of practical exercises should complement the study of the practical parts of the syllabus. It is recommended that learners should be exposed to four practical lessons per week. It is also recommended that the maximum computer-pupil ratio be 1:2. In cases where computers are inadequate, teachersareencouragedtogroupthelearnersintomanageablegroupsizes.Wherepossible,machinesshouldbeloaded with integrated packages to facilitate easy importing and exporting of documents.
Practical ExaminationThe practical examination session should be invigilated by the Computer Science teacher(s) and another from any department.TheComputerScienceteacherismeanttosupportlearnersONLYintermsofsoftwareandhardwarechallenges during the examination. The practical examination is marked by the Computer Science teacher at the school. The marks are submitted to ZIMSEC at a prescribed time for moderation. ZIMSEC will monitor the administra-tion of the practical examination at sampled schools.
Practical ProjectCandidates are expected to carry out pieces of work using database package and programming languages. During Form 4 Terms 1, 2 and 3, the candidates must develop an application using a high level programming language from a given scenario based on a relational database. The piece of work must be dated and contain school and candidate details.Thepiecesofworkmustbefiledinaflatfilecontainingnotmorethan40pages.ThefileMUSTbemarkedbytheteacher.ThefilesandthepracticalexaminationmarksmustbesubmittedtoZIMSECtogetherwithscriptsforPaper 2 through the normal packaging and channel.
APPENDIX IV: RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT
Infrastructure and Equipment
For a school to run the Computer Science Syllabus for examination purposes, the under listed infrastructure and equipment need to be in place
Computer Science Syllabus Forms 1 - 4
32
ComputerLaboratory
Personal Computers to accommodate at most 2 students per computer A printerComputer Desks and Chairs to accommodate the number of students DustlessDisplaysfortheTeacher(securely-mountedWhiteboard,LCDprojector)Computer Repair Toolkit Back-up generator
Theory Classroom
Classroom furniture to accommodate the students WritingSurfacefortheTeacher(e.g.securely-mountedWhiteboard,LCDprojector)
In both the above cases, there should be adequate lighting and ventilation.
NB: Networked computers and internet connectivity will be an added advantage
Adequately licensed computer software should be available for training purposes – especially the under-listed: • Spreadsheet• Database• Word-Processing• Presentation• OperatingSystem• ProgrammingLanguageSoftware• AntivirusSoftware APPENDIXV:SUGGESTEDREFERENCEBOOKS
Itshouldbenotedthatspecifyingalimitedlistoftextbooksisdifficultasnewtitlesarebeingavailedallthetime.Teachersarethereforeencouragedtoconsultotherbooksinordertoadequatelycoverthewholesyllabus.However,below is a suggested book list which serves the purpose of being a reference guide.
• BritishComputerSociety(2005),TheBCSGlossaryICTandComputerTerms,McMillan,UK• Brown,GandDWatson(2010),IGCSEICT,HodderEducation,UK• Doyle,S.(2011),InformationSystemsforyou4thEdition,NelsonThompson,UK• French,C.S(1996),DataProcessingandICT5thedition,Thompson,UK• LeadBetter&WainWright(2004),IGCSEComputerStudiesandIT,CambridgeUniversityPress,UK• NowelKalicharan(1998),AnIntroductiontoComputerStudies,CambridgeUniversityPress,UK• Roderick,T&Rushbrook,G(2002),ICTforGCSE,OxfordUniversityPress,UK• Taylor,G.(1991),GCSEComputerStudiesandInformationTechnology,McMillan,UK