Computer Science

Computer Science — IGCSE

British Curriculum · Cambridge Assessment International Education · Years 10-11 · Ages 14-16

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478/0984) is assessed by two written papers: computer systems, and algorithms, programming and logic. There is no coursework, but candidates must write and read pseudocode fluently on paper.

Content covers data representation, data transmission, hardware, software, the internet and its security, automated and emerging technologies, algorithm design and problem solving, programming concepts, databases and boolean logic.

Paper 2 is where grades are decided. Candidates must trace algorithms accurately using trace tables and write syntactically clean pseudocode: both are practised skills rather than knowledge, and both improve quickly with feedback.

Key topics covered

• Data RepresentationBinary, hexadecimal, two's complement, character sets, images and sound.
• Data Transmission & SecurityPackets, transmission methods, error checking, encryption and cyber threats.
• Hardware & SoftwareCPU architecture, the fetch-decode-execute cycle, memory, storage and the OS.
• Algorithm DesignPseudocode, flowcharts, trace tables, searching and sorting.
• Programming ConceptsVariables, selection, iteration, arrays, procedures, functions and file handling.
• DatabasesSingle-table databases, field types, primary keys and structured queries.
• Boolean LogicLogic gates, truth tables and logic expressions.