COMPUTER SCIENCE CATEGORY SYLLABUS

The syllabus outlines the key areas students should study independently to prepare for the examination. It covers essential digital literacy, coding and problem-solving skills, progressing from fundamental computer concepts to the basics of programming and computational thinking.

Level 1: Grades 3-4-5

Computer & IT Concepts

• Parts of a computer – learn about the monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, and speakers
• Input vs output devices – understand how we give information to a computer and how it responds
• Binary basics – a simple introduction to 0s and 1s
• Hardware vs software – know the difference between the physical parts of a computer and the programs it runs
• Storage types – explore USB drives, hard drives (HDD), and the basics of cloud storage
• Computer networks – understand Wi-Fi and routers in simple terms
• File formats – learn about common types like .docx, .jpg, and .mp3
• Internet basics – how to use a browser, search engines, and URLs safely
• Online safety & cybersecurity – recognize viruses, create strong passwords, and spot phishing attempts
• Productivity tools – practice creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with MS Office or Google Workspace 
  

Coding Concepts

• Block coding basics – learn to create programs using visual coding tools like Scratch or Blockly
• Sequences – put instructions in the correct order to make things happen
• Loops (repeat) – make actions happen multiple times automatically
• Conditionals (if/then) – make decisions in code based on conditions
• Variables – store and use information in your programs
• Functions / procedures – organize code into reusable steps
• Debugging – find and fix mistakes in your code
• Directions & movement – control objects to move up, down, left, or right
• Logical operators (and/or/not) – combine conditions to control behavior
• Coordinate plane movement – move objects using x and y positions
• Animation & sprites – create interactive stories, games, and animations 
  

Problem-Solving

• Shapes, patterns, and counting – use math and patterns to solve problems in coding
• Coordinates – understand basic grids and positions for moving objects
• Pseudocode – write simple step-by-step instructions in plain language before coding
• Flowcharts – create simple diagrams to plan programs using start, arrows, and decisions 
  

Level 2: Grades 6-7-8

Intermediate Computer Science

• Operating systems – understand the basics of Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Memory and storage – learn about RAM, ROM, cache, and the difference between SSD and HDD
• CPU and GPU basics – what they do and why they matter
• Networking fundamentals – understand LAN, WAN, and the idea of IP addresses
• Data transfer & internet concepts – a simple introduction to how networks work
• Data compression – learn why files can be smaller and the difference between lossless and lossy formats
• Cybersecurity basics – understand simple encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Productivity and data tools – practice using Excel or Google Sheets for graphs and basic data analysis

Programming & Algorithms

• Introduction to Python – learn how to write simple text-based programs
• Variables and data types – store and use numbers, text, and lists
• Loops and conditionals – repeat actions and make decisions in your code
• Functions – organize code into reusable blocks
• Lists and dictionaries – store and manage collections of information
• File input/output – read from and write to simple files
• Web basics – learn how websites work and create simple pages with HTML and CSS
• Internet concepts – understand how HTTP/HTTPS works
• Simple algorithms – learn basic ways to search and sort data
• Introduction to recursion – a function calling itself for simple tasks
• Logic gates – understand basic AND, OR, NOT logic for decision-making
• Database basics – learn how information is stored in tables with rows and columns

Computational Thinking

• Pseudocode – write simple step-by-step instructions to plan your program
• Flowcharts – use diagrams with decisions and loops to show how a program works
• Modular programming basics – learn how to break big problems into smaller, manageable parts

Level 3: Grades 9-10-11

Advanced Computer Science

• Learn how computers and operating systems manage hardware and software
• Understand how the CPU and memory work together to process data
• Explore how computer networks connect devices and send information
• Discover key internet protocols like TCP/IP and HTTPS
• Understand the basics of cybersecurity, encryption, and data protection
• Learn how data is stored and managed in databases (SQL and NoSQL)
• Explore cloud computing and how it allows remote access to data
• Use Git and version control to collaborate and track code
• Work with key data structures such as lists, stacks, queues, and trees
• Learn how to evaluate code efficiency using Big-O notation
• Discover how APIs and JSON help applications share data
• Introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning with Python

Programming

• Python programming – work with functions, loops, and organizing code
• Introduction to classes and objects – basic ideas of object-oriented programming
• Writing reusable code – simple examples of functions calling other functions (recursion)
• Handling errors in programs – learn to detect and fix mistakes
• Reading and saving files – basic file input/output
• Sorting and searching data – simple ways to organize and find information

Competitive & Project Skills

• Debugging programs – find and fix errors in your code
• Writing clean code – organize programs clearly and add comments
• Problem-solving – practice solving problems in different ways
• Small projects – apply your skills to create mini-apps, games, or tools
• Algorithmic challenges – work on puzzles and exercises to strengthen logic
• Introduction to ethical hacking – learn how to find security issues safely