GCSE Computer Science AQA 8525 syllabus

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AQA 8525 Topics

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
	3.4.3 Software Classification	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

AQA (8525) GCSE Computer Science

GCSE AQA 8525 Computer Science