Syllabus - CIE Notes
[Pages:23]Syllabus
Cambridge IGCSE? Computer Science 0478
For examination in June and November 2020 and 2021. Also available for examination in March 2020 and 2021 for India only.
Version 1
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Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge. UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre.
Contents
1 Why choose this syllabus? ..................................................................................................... 2
2 Syllabus overview ....................................................................................................................4
Aims
4
Content overview
5
Assessment overview
6
Assessment objectives
7
3 Subject content .........................................................................................................................8
Section 1 Theory of Computer Science
8
Section 2 Practical Problem-solving and Programming
13
4 Details of the assessment .................................................................................................... 15
Component 1 ? Paper 1 Theory
15
Component 2 ? Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming
15
Paper 2 ? Problem-solving and Programming pre-release material
15
Notes for guidance
16
5 What else you need to know ............................................................................................... 17
Before you start
17
Making entries
18
After the exam
19
How students and teachers can use the grades
19
Grade descriptions
19
Changes to this syllabus for 2020 and 2021
20
Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2020 and 2021, go to page 20.
The latest syllabus is version 1, published September 2017. There are no significant changes which affect teaching.
Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2015 are still suitable for use with this syllabus.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2020 and 2021.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE? syllabuses are created especially for international students. For over 25 years, we have worked with schools and teachers worldwide to develop syllabuses that are suitable for different countries, different types of schools and for learners with a wide range of abilities.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science learners study the principles and practices of computing and gain confidence in computational thinking and programming. They learn to program by writing computer code and they develop their understanding of the main principles of problem-solving using computers.
Learners apply their understanding to develop computer-based solutions to problems using algorithms and a highlevel programming language. They also develop a range of technical skills, as well as the ability to test effectively and to evaluate computing solutions.
This qualification helps learners appreciate current and emerging computing technologies and the benefits of their use. They learn to recognise the ethical issues and potential risks when using computers.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science is an ideal foundation for further study in Computer Science. Understanding the principles of Computer Science provides learners with the underpinning knowledge required for many other subjects in science and engineering, and the skills learnt can also be used in everyday life.
Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Our approach encourages learners to be:
Cambridge learner
`The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally recognised and has provided an international pathway for our students to continue their studies around the world.'
Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles International Group of Schools, Indonesia
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Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2020 and 2021. Why choose this syllabus?
Recognition and progression
The combination of knowledge and skills in Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science gives learners a solid foundation for further study. Candidates who achieve grades A* to C are well prepared to follow a wide range of courses including Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science.
Cambridge IGCSEs are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers around the world as evidence of academic achievement. Many universities require a combination of Cambridge International AS & A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs or equivalent to meet their entry requirements.
UK NARIC, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has carried out an independent benchmarking study of Cambridge IGCSE and found it to be comparable to the standard of GCSE in the UK. This means students can be confident that their Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are accepted as equivalent to UK GCSEs by leading universities worldwide.
Learn more at recognition
Supporting teachers
We provide a wide range of practical resources, detailed guidance, and innovative training and professional development so that you can give your learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge IGCSE.
Teaching resources ? School Support Hub
support ? Syllabus ? Scheme of work ? Learner guide ? Discussion forum ? Resource list ? Endorsed textbooks and digital resources
Training ? Face-to-face workshops around the world ? Online self-study training ? Online tutor-led training ? Cambridge Professional Development
Qualifications
Exam preparation resources
? Question papers ? Mark schemes ? Example candidate responses to understand
what examiners are looking for at key grades ? Examiner reports to improve future teaching
Support for Cambridge
IGCSE
Community
You can find useful information, as well as share your ideas and experiences with other teachers, on our social media channels and community forums.
Find out more at social-media
`Cambridge IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognised qualifications in the world. It is very popular in Egypt because it provides the perfect preparation for success at advanced level programmes.'
Mrs Omnia Kassabgy, Managing Director of British School in Egypt BSE
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Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2020 and 2021.
2 Syllabus overview
Aims
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
The aims are to develop: ?? computational thinking, that is thinking about what can be computed and how, and includes consideration of
the data required ?? understanding of the main principles of solving problems by using computers ?? understanding that every computer system is made up of sub-systems, which in turn consist of further
sub-systems ?? understanding of the component parts of computer systems and how they interrelate, including software, data,
hardware, communications and people ?? skills necessary to apply understanding to solve computer-based problems using a high-level programming
language.
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Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2020 and 2021. Syllabus overview
Content overview
Sections Section 1 Theory of computer science
Section 2 Practical problem-solving and programming
Topics
1.1 Data representation 1.1.1 Binary systems 1.1.2Hexadecimal 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 1.3.2Computer 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
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
Support for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science
Our School Support Hub support provides Cambridge schools with a secure site for downloading specimen and past question papers, mark schemes, grade thresholds and other curriculum resources specific to this syllabus. The School Support Hub community offers teachers the opportunity to connect with each other and to ask questions related to the syllabus.
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Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus for 2020 and 2021. Syllabus overview
Assessment overview
All candidates take two papers.
All candidates take:
Paper 1 Theory
1 hour 45 minutes 60%
75 marks
Short-answer and structured questions
Questions will be based on section 1 of the subject content
All questions are compulsory
No calculators are permitted
Externally assessed
and:
Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming
1 hour 45 minutes 40%
50 marks
Short-answer and structured questions
Questions will be based on section 2 of the subject content
All questions are compulsory
20 marks are from questions set on the pre-release material?
No calculators are permitted
Externally assessed
1The pre-release material for Paper 2 Problem-solving and Programming is made available to centres shortly after the estimated entries deadline for the June and November examinations. For the March examination it will be made available to centres shortly after the 0478 Computer Science final entries deadline. It is also reproduced in the question paper. Candidates must not bring any prepared material into the examination.
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