IGCSE Computer Science
Syllabus
Teaching and learning content
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 (2026-2028)
1. Computer Systems
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Number systems | 1. Understand how and why computers use binary 2. Understand denary, binary, hexadecimal; convert between them 3. Understand use of hexadecimal 4. Add two positive 8-bit binary integers; understand overflow 5. Perform logical binary shifts 6. Use two's complement for positive/negative 8-bit integers |
- Denary (base 10), Binary (base 2), Hexadecimal (base 16) - Hexadecimal is shorter/easier for humans - Overflow occurs when value > 255 in 8-bit register - Left/right logical shifts multiply/divide; bits lost from ends - Two's complement conversions |
| 1.2 Text, sound and images | 1. Understand representation of text, ASCII, Unicode 2. Understand representation of sound, sample rate, resolution 3. Understand representation of images, resolution, colour depth |
- Unicode has greater range than ASCII (emojis, languages) but uses more bits - Sample rate: samples/second. Resolution: bits/sample. Both increase accuracy and file size - Image resolution: pixels in image. Colour depth: bits per colour. |
| 1.3 Data storage and compression | 1. Understand how data storage is measured 2. Calculate file size of image and sound files 3. Understand purpose/need for compression 4. Understand lossy vs lossless compression |
- bit, nibble, byte, KiB, MiB, GiB, TiB, PiB, EiB. (Calculations use 1024) - Compression reduces storage, bandwidth, transmission time - Lossy permanently removes data (reduces resolution/rate); Lossless retains data (e.g., RLE) |
2. Data transmission
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Types & methods | 1. Understand data is broken into packets; describe packet structure and switching 2. Describe transmission methods and suitability 3. Understand USB interface |
- Packet: header (dest, packet num, originator), payload, trailer - Router controls route; packets reordered at end - Serial, parallel, simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex - USB benefits and drawbacks |
| 2.2 Error detection | 1. Understand need to check for errors 2. Describe parity check, checksum, echo check 3. Describe check digit (ISBN, bar codes) 4. Describe ARQ (Automatic Repeat Query) |
- Errors from interference (data loss, gain, change) - Parity byte/block check - ARQ uses acknowledgements and timeout |
| 2.3 Encryption | 1. Understand need/purpose of encryption 2. Understand symmetric and asymmetric encryption |
- Asymmetric includes public and private keys |
3. Hardware
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Computer architecture | 1. Understand CPU role and microprocessor 2. Understand Von Neumann architecture components & FDE cycle 3. Understand core, cache, clock impact on performance 4. Understand instruction set 5. Describe embedded systems |
- ALU, CU, Registers (PC, MAR, MDR, CIR, ACC), Buses (address, data, control) - Fetch-decode-execute processes - Instruction set = machine code commands - Embedded system performs dedicated functions (e.g., appliances, cars) vs general purpose computers |
| 3.2 Input and output devices | 1. Understand input devices 2. Understand output devices 3. Understand sensors and identify types |
- Inputs: barcode/QR scanners, camera, keyboard, mic, mouse, touch screens, 2D/3D scanners - Outputs: actuator, projectors (DLP, LCD), printers (inkjet, laser, 3D), screens (LED, LCD), speaker - Sensors: acoustic, accelerometer, flow, gas, humidity, IR, level, light, magnetic, moisture, pH, pressure, proximity, temp |
| 3.3 Data storage | 1. Understand primary storage (RAM, ROM) 2. Understand secondary storage 3. Describe magnetic, optical, solid-state storage 4. Describe virtual memory 5. Understand cloud storage 6. Cloud vs local storage pros/cons |
- Primary is directly accessed by CPU; Secondary is for permanent storage - Magnetic (HDD), Optical (CD/DVD/Blu-ray), Solid-state (SSD, SD, USB) - Virtual memory swaps pages of data with RAM - Cloud storage accessed remotely via physical servers |
| 3.4 Network hardware | 1. Understand NIC 2. Understand MAC address 3. Understand IP address (IPv4 vs IPv6) 4. Describe role of a router |
- NIC has MAC address (hexadecimal, manufacturer + serial code) - IP is allocated by network (static/dynamic) - Router sends data to dest, assigns IPs, connects LAN to internet |
4. Software
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Types of software & interrupts | 1. Describe system vs application software 2. Describe role/functions of OS 3. Understand hardware, firmware, OS stack 4. Describe interrupts |
- OS functions: files, interrupts, interfaces, peripherals, memory, multitasking, security, accounts - Applications run on OS, OS on firmware, firmware on hardware - Interrupts: software (div by zero), hardware (key press). Uses interrupt service routine |
| 4.2 Programming languages, translators, IDEs | 1. High-level vs low-level languages 2. Understand assembly language and assembler 3. Describe compiler and interpreter 4. Advantages/disadvantages of translators 5. Explain role of an IDE |
- High-level: easy to read/debug. Low-level: direct hardware manipulation - Compiler: translates all at once, gives full error report. Interpreter: line-by-line, stops on error, used during development - IDE features: editors, run-time env, translators, error diagnostics, auto-completion/correction, prettyprint |
5. The internet and its uses
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 Internet and WWW | 1. Internet vs WWW 2. Understand URL 3. Purpose of HTTP/HTTPS 4. Web browser functions 5. How web pages are located/displayed 6. Cookies (session vs persistent) |
- Internet = infrastructure. WWW = websites - URL = protocol, domain, file name - Browser renders HTML, stores bookmarks/history/cookies, manages tabs - Role of IP, DNS, web server, HTML - Cookies save details, track preferences, hold cart items |
| 5.2 Digital currency | 1. Understand digital currency concept 2. Understand blockchain |
- Digital currency exists electronically - Blockchain is a digital ledger (time-stamped series of records, cannot be altered) |
| 5.3 Cyber security | 1. Describe cyber security threats 2. Explain security solutions |
- Threats: brute-force, interception, DDoS, hacking, malware, pharming, phishing, social engineering - Solutions: access levels, anti-malware, authentication (biometrics, 2FA), firewalls, privacy settings, proxy, SSL |
6. Automated and emerging technologies
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 Automated systems | 1. Describe sensors, microprocessors, actuators collaborating 2. Advantages/disadvantages |
- Scenarios: industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting, science |
| 6.2 Robotics | 1. Understand robotics 2. Characteristics of a robot 3. Roles/pros/cons of robots |
- Design, construction, operation of robots (mechanical framework, electrical components, programmable) - Areas: industry, transport, agriculture, medicine, domestic, entertainment |
| 6.3 Artificial intelligence | 1. Understand AI 2. Characteristics of AI (collection of data, rules, reason, learn) 3. AI systems operation/components |
- Simulation of intelligent behaviors - Expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine, interface) - Machine learning (program adapts processes/data) |
7. Algorithm design and problem-solving
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Algorithm design | 1. Program development life cycle 2. Decomposition into sub-systems 3. Explain algorithm purpose 4. Standard solution methods 5. Validation and verification checks 6. Test data 7. Trace tables 8. Identify/correct errors 9. Write/amend algorithms |
- Stages: analysis, design, coding, testing - Sub-systems: inputs, processes, outputs, storage - Methods: linear search, bubble sort, totalling, counting, max/min/avg - Validation: range, length, type, presence, format, check digit - Verification: visual, double entry - Test data: normal, abnormal, extreme, boundary - Use flowcharts, pseudocode, program code |
8. Programming
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1 Programming concepts | 1. Variables and constants 2. Data types 3. Input/Output 4. Sequence, selection, iteration, totalling/counting, string handling, operators 5. Nested statements 6. Procedures/functions/parameters 7. Library routines 8. Maintainable programs |
- Types: integer, real, char, string, Boolean - Selection: IF, CASE. Iteration: count, pre/post-condition loops - String handling: length, substring, upper, lower - Operators: arithmetic (+, -, *, /, ^, MOD, DIV), logical, Boolean (AND, OR, NOT) - Max 3 levels nested - Library routines: MOD, DIV, ROUND, RANDOM - Maintainability: meaningful identifiers, commenting |
| 8.2 Arrays | 1. 1D and 2D arrays 2. Use of arrays 3. Read/write via iteration |
- Variables as indexes; first index 0 or 1; nested iteration |
| 8.3 File handling | 1. Purpose of storing data in a file 2. Open, close, read, write |
- Read/write single items or lines of text |
9. Databases
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Databases | 1. Define single-table database 2. Suggest basic data types 3. Primary keys 4. SQL scripts |
- Fields, records, validation - Types: text/alphanumeric, char, boolean, int, real, date/time - SQL: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY (ASC/DESC), SUM, COUNT, AND, OR |
10. Boolean logic
| Sub-topic | Candidates should be able to: | Notes and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Boolean logic | 1. Standard symbols for logic gates 2. Define functions of logic gates 3. Logic circuits, truth tables, logic expressions |
- Gates: NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR - Circuits must be drawn from statement without simplification - Max 3 inputs, 1 output |