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AQA (8525) GCSE Computer Science

For first teaching in 2020.

The material on this site is not endorsed by the AQA examination board. We do not guarantee that it covers all of the relevant theory that is required for the examination. Please refer to the 8525 syllabus to ensure that you are covering the material to the standard required.

GCSE AQA 8525 Computer Science

3.1

Fundamentals of algorithms

3.1.1

Representing algorithms

Computational thinking

  • Decomposition
  • Pattern recognition
  • Abstraction
  • Algorithms

Flowcharts

  • Standard Shapes
  • Algorithms

Pseudocode

  • Syllabus pseudocode

3.1.2 - 3.1.4

Types of algorithms

Algorithm efficiency

  • Time efficiency
  • Space efficiency

Searching algorithms

  • Linear search
  • Binary Search

Sorting algorithms

  • Bubble Sort
  • Merge Sort

3.2

Programming

3.2.1 - 3.2.6

Programming components

Data types

  • Character
  • String
  • Integer
  • Real
  • Boolean

Variables and constants

  • Naming
  • Assigning
  • Uses

Operators

  • Arithmetic
  • Boolean
  • Relational

Sequence, selection, iteration

  • IF
  • WHILE
  • CASE
  • REPEAT
  • FOR
  • Nesting

Data Structures

  • List
  • Linked List
  • Dictionary
  • Tuple

Arrays & Records

  • 1D Array
  • 2D Array
  • Array operations
  • Records

3.2.7 - 3.2.10

Processes

File handling

  • Open
  • Close
  • Read
  • Write

String handling

  • Storage
  • Search
  • Properties
  • Type casting
  • Character codes

Random number generation

  • Random integers
  • Python examples
  • Uses

Subroutines

  • Coding
  • Functions
  • Scope
  • Uses

3.2.11 - 3.2.13

Writing programs

Structured programming

  • Planning
  • Iteration
  • Subroutines\Functions
  • Modules & Scope
  • Python Examples

Validation and authentication

  • Length check
  • Range check
  • Authentication
  • Test Data
  • Python Examples

Programming languages

  • Machine code
  • Low Level
  • High level
  • Translators, Assemblers
  • Compiler, Interpreters

3.3

Fundamentals of data representation

3.3.1 - 3.3.4

Representing numbers

Denary and Binary

  • Number systems
  • Denary to Binary
  • Binary to Denary
  • Binary Addition
  • Binary Shift

Hexadecimal

  • Uses
  • Denary to Hex
  • Hex to Denary
  • Hex to Binary
  • Binary to Hex

Units and prefixes

  • Bit, Byte, Nibble
  • Kilobyte to Petabyte

3.3.5 - 3.3.7

Creating files

Character sets

  • ASCII
  • Extended ASCII
  • Character Sets
  • Unicode

Images

  • Pixels
  • Grayscale
  • Colour Depth
  • Files size

Sound

  • Sampling
  • Sampling frequency
  • Bit Depth, Bit Rate
  • Channels
  • Metadata

3.3.8

Compression

Compression

  • Lossy compression
  • Lossless compression
  • Dictionary compression
  • Images,Video,Music

Huffman Encoding

  • Binary Tree
  • The concept of it
  • Encoding

Run Length Encoding

  • RLE data format
  • RLE & Images
  • RLE & Text

3.4

Computer Systems

3.4.1 Hardware and Software

Hardware, software

  • Computer System
  • Hardware
  • Software

3.4.2 Boolean Logic

Boolean logic

  • AND, OR, NOT,XOR
  • Logic Circuits
  • Truth Tables

3.4.3 Software Classification

Software types

  • System Software
  • Application Software

Operating systems

  • Purpose
  • Kernel
  • User Interface
  • Device Drivers
  • Multitasking

3.4.4

Systems Architecture: CPU

CPU and Von Neumann architecture

  • What is it
  • ALU, Control Unit
  • Clock, Buses
  • Von Neumann

CPU performance

  • Cache
  • Cores
  • Overclocking
  • Parallel processing

Fetch-Execute cycle

  • Hardware used
  • The FDE cycle

3.4.4

Systems Architecture: Memory

Types of memory

  • RAM Random Access
  • DRAM and SRAM
  • ROM Read Only

Secondary storage

  • Magnetic
  • Optical
  • Solid State
  • Cloud

Embedded systems

  • Definition
  • Sensors
  • Analog-Digital converter
  • Actuators

 

 

 

3.5

Networks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Networks

 

 

 

PANs, LANs and WANs

  • PAN
  • LAN at home
  • LAN in business
  • WAN

Networks type and shape

  • Wired, Wireless networks
  • Star, Bus topology
  • Star & Bus animations
  • Network Builder

Network protocols

  • TCP/IP and UDP
  • HTTP and HTTPs
  • FTP, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
  • Email Protocols

Network security

  • Importance of security
  • Authentication methods
  • Encryption
  • Firewalls
  • MAC filtering

Four Layer Model

  • Application Layer
  • Transport Layer
  • Network Layer
  • Data Link Layer

3.6

Cyber security

 

3.6.1

Cyber security threats

Introduction to Cyber-security

  • What is it
  • Why is it important
  • Malicious code
  • Social engineering
  • Prevention

Penetration testing

  • What is it
  • White box testing
  • Black box testing

Social engineering

  • What is it
  • Phishing
  • Pharming
  • Blagging
  • Other Social attacks

Malware

  • Viruses and Worms
  • Browser malware
  • Other malware types

3.6.2

Prevention

Threats and Prevention

  • Typical threats
  • Strong Passwords
  • Biometric authentication
  • CAPTCHA
  • Email confirmation
  • Software updates

3.7

Databases

Database

Database

  • Definition
  • Flat-file
  • Relational
  • RDBMS

3.8

Societal Impact

 

3.8.1

Ethical, Legal, Environmental

Ethical

  • Internet
  • Social media
  • Digital divide
  • Whistleblowing
  • Self driving cars
  • Genetic screening
  • Drone use

Cultural

  • Anonymity
  • Citizen Journalism
  • Military Drones
  • Health & Technology
  • Social Network Impacts

Legislation

  • Data Protection Act
  • Computer Misuse Act
  • Copyright & Patents
  • Freedom of Information Act

Environmental

  • E-Waste
  • Sustainability
  • Recycling
  • Energy use
  • Data Centres
  • Monitoring
  • Stakeholders

Open-Close Source

  • Open Source
  • Closed Source
  • Creative Commons

Privacy

  • DNA profiling
  • ID Cards
  • CCTV
  • Tracking
  • Personal Data
  • Stakeholders