STARTER ACTIVITY:

• What is computer science?

 COMPUTER SCIENCE
HARDWARE
Boolean Logic Introduction
iGCSE Computer Science SURVEY
Where do I start?
Some of you will possibly already have a good knowledge of computer science. You may have
studied this in year 9 or completed a programming course.

For others, computer science may be quite new to you and this course will help you understand the
key principles of computing and programming.

Take my survey on what you know already.

 Introduction
to

iGCSE Computer Science

Introduction to iGCSE Computer Science
This course is aimed at students aged 14 – 16 years who have an interest in computer science. We will be following the Cambridge IGCSE
Computer Science syllabus to develop the understanding of the main principles of problem-solving using computers. They will apply their
understanding to develop solutions to problems using algorithms and the Python programming language. This qualification helps
learners appreciate current and emerging computing technologies.
 
The qualification consists of 8 units:
 Data representation
 Communication and internet technologies
 Hardware and software
 Security
 Ethics
 Algorithm design and problem-solving
 Programming
 Databases
 
iGCSE Computer Science
Why is there no practical exam in programming?
Programming is a big part of the training for this exam – especially the second exam.

In the written exam, students write “pseudo code” based on their practical programming experience. Throughout their
studies students use and learn a programming language and they will complete a number of mini-projects to help you
prepare for this paper.

In this course, we cover Python to create programs for the

Paper 2 content.
iGCSE Computer Science
Is there an official course book?
There are different course books & revision books that have been accredited by CIE.
• https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-computer-science-047
8/published-resources/
A Career in Computer Science
IT consultant
An IT consultant advises clients on the planning, design, installation and usage of information technology systems to meet the client’s
business objectives, overcome problems or improve the structure and efficiency of their IT systems.

Cyber security consultant

You’ll analyse where security breaches may occur or have occurred, and restore or reinforce systems against such breaches, to ensure
that confidential data is protected. This role could include ‘ethical hacking’, meaning deliberately attempting to hack into your
employer’s network to expose any weaknesses.

Multimedia programmer
You’ll use creative as well as technical skills to develop multimedia features including text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D
modelling, animation and video.

Games developer
Games developers produce games for personal computers, games consoles, social/online games, arcade games,
tablets, mobile phones and other hand held devices.

Computer science skills are required in many jobs:

Web, games, systems, products, programs, software, databases, networks, teaching,
journalism, management or entrepreneurship.
iGCSE Computer Science
Syllabus
Section 1 topics will cover the theory of computer Science (Exam Paper 1)

Section 2 topics cover the practical problem-solving and programming.

 Homework & Classwork
During each lesson, you will be either given a worksheet or a quiz to test your knowledge and understanding of what
you have learnt. It is really important that these are completed so that you can ask for further help if you need it.

Apply will be set most weeks and students are expected to complete the Apply as this will help us to identify if they
need further assistance with the topic.

Is this a hard course?

There is a lot of basic maths involved in computer science and problem solving. The hardest topics are binary and logic
gates. We cover these in detail and also have videos to help them after the lesson.

This is an enjoyable course, especially if you like problem solving.

 Big Picture - HARDWARE
HARDWARE
Boolean Logicat computers from a fairly high level to start with to give us a
We will look
context, as we work through the topics we will look at each of these ideas in
greater detail.
 Binary systems
Data representation

What is a Computer System?

These days computers are all around us, some people even say they couldn’t live
without them!

Which of the following are classed as COMPUTERS?

Mobile Phone
Calculator
Watch
Interactive Whiteboard
Projector
Printer
Desktop Computer
Laptop
 Binary systems
Data representation

What is a Computer System?

Which of the following are classed as COMPUTERS?
They all are!

Mobile Phone
Calculator
Watch
Interactive Whiteboard
Projector
Printer
Desktop Computer
Laptop

Computers come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes they are very small and they’re
built in to other things.
Eg. A digital watch!
 Binary systems
Data representation

Hardware
How would you define Hardware?

This is any physical part of a computer.

This could be a monitor, keyboard, mouse but also all of the pieces inside the computer
that make it work.

We are going to start with input and output devices.

What is a computer system?
How it works
A computer system is simply something that can receive data, store data, process that data
and output the data.

STORAGE
(store data)

PROCESS OUTPUT
INPUT (receive data)
(processor) (leaves the system)

So everything from your XBOX to your mobile phone use this process.
INPUT (receive data)
Data (letters, numbers, sounds, videos, images) gets put IN to the computer.

The computer converts it to something it can understand; digital data (0010101010101).

How can we INPUT the following data on to the computer?

Letters Keyboard/Touchscreen
Numbers Keyboard/Touchscreen
Sounds Microphone
Videos Video camera
Images Scanner/Digital Camera

Commands Mouse/Keyboard/Touchscreen
OUTPUT
(leaves the system)

Output is the part where the information the computer has processed is presented in a
suitable way.

Usually the computer converts the information into something human can use there
senses to understand.

Sight A text message on a mobile phone screen Monitors

Hearing A fire alarm that’s detected smoke Printers
Touch A printed A4 poster Speakers
Projector
Motor
 PROCESS
(processor)

Data and instructions are processed by a central processing unit (CPU).

A CPU is the computer system’s brain that can transform data from input devices into
useful information or a physical action.

The CPU can process data really fast but it can’t think for itself. It only does what it is
told to do by following instructions.
PROCESS

Processing is where the computer manipulates the data to produce meaningful

information.

This is could be;

Sorting Names into alphabetical order

Searching Searching for the highest price on a shopping list
Calculations Working out a percentage of people in prison
Graphing A bar chart of popular TV shows

The computer processes it so it’s ready for the next stage…

HOW DOES AN INPUT MAKE AN OUTPUT?

The computer sits between the input and output devices.

A computer program processes and digitises the input information. The result is then sent to an output device such as a
screen.

Let’s look at some examples...

THINK OF A DVD PLAYER

You click 'play' on your remote control, an input device. It digitises the input and sends this digital information to the DVD
player.

The computer inside the DVD player processes this input information and works out what to do. It will start to read the
DVD. The video and audio information from the DVD is then sent to the TV screen and the speakers, the output devices.
THINK OF A GAMES CONSOLE

When you are playing a game you are using a controller where you push a button or push the control stick to move a
character.

These inputs are digitised and sent to the computer to be processed. The program processes the inputs and gives an output.
In this case the character on screen moves as it has been programmed to.
 Binary systems
Data representation

Hardware
Any part of a computer that you can touch is hardware.

External Hardware:
Monitor
Printer
Keyboard
Mouse
Microphone

Internal Hardware:
Hard Disk
CPU
Fan
Motherboard
Sound card
 The processor is where the computer carries out of it’s tasks (processes)
THE BRAIN in a similar way to how your brain thinks about things.

Computers also have a motherboard, this is like our central nervous

system and is used to connect and allow different components of the
computer to communicate with each other.
 Like humans, computers have different types of memory.

MEMORY We have already looked at storage and the saving of apps and files for
long term use. But computers also have two types of primary memory
located close to its brain.

RAM
RAM is where the computer stores the current task that is being carried
out. This is like when you are thinking about how to work out a sum in
maths or what your are going to say next.

ROM
ROM contains the start up instructions for the computer, which
can never be deleted. Without this memory your computer
would not start!
 Different types of storage

Storage Optical: Lasers read and write data using light.

Magnetic: Mechanical parts move over the disk's surface to read and write
data magnetically.

Solid State: Data is recorded onto solid memory chips without any moving
parts.
LESSON COMPLETE
SEE YOU NEXT LESSON!