Computer Science Waec Syllabus

COMPUTER EVOLUTION

1. Computing Devices I (Pre-computing age- 19th century)
   • Features, components and uses of early computing devices:
     • Abacus;
     • Slide Rule
     • Napier’s bone
     • Pascal’s calculator
     • Leibnitz multiplier;
     • Jacquad loom
     • Charles Babbage’s analytical engine
     • Hollerith Census Machine
     • Burrough’s Machine
     • Contribution of each of the founders of these devices to modern computers.
   • The trend of development in computing devices from one to the other
2. Computing Devices II (20th century to date)

   Features, components and uses of:

   • ENIAC
   • EDVAC
   • UNIVAC 1
   • Desktop Personal Computers
   • Laptop and Notebook computers
   • Palmtop.

   ***Sizes and basic components should be considered in a comparative form.

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTING

1. Overview of Computing Systems
   • Definition of a Computer
   • Two main constituents of a Computer
     • Computer hardware
     • Computer software
   • classification and examples of hardware and software
   • Functional parts of a computer
2. Characteristics of Computers
   • Electronic in nature;
   • Accuracy;
   • Speed;
   • Interactive etc.
3. Differences between hardware and software
4. Data and Information: Definition and examples of data and information

COMPUTER ETHICS AND HUMAN ISSUES

1. Computer Ethics
   • Security and Ethics
   • Sources of security breaches:
   • Virus, worms and Trojan horses;
   • Poor implementation of the network
   • Poor implementation or lack of ICT policies
   • Carelessness- giving out personal and vital information on the net without careful screening.
   • Hackers, spammers etc
   • The definition and effects of viruses and worms should be treated
   • The definition of hackers and spammers should be treated. Preventive measures
   • Use of antivirus software e.g. Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc
   • Use of firewall
   • Exercising care in giving out vital and personal information
   • Encryption
   • Proper Network Implementation and policies
   • Using sites with web certificates
   • Exercising care in opening e-mail attachments
2. Legal Issues
   • Copyright (software copyright)
   • ownership right to
   • text;
   • images
   • audio
   • video
   • Privacy of audio and video software
   • Cyber crimes
   • identify theft;
   • Internet fraud
   • Hacking
   • An explanation of firewall is required
   • The definition of encryption should be treated

COMPUTER HARDWARE

1. Input devices
   • Definition and examples of input devices
   • The use of a keyboard, mouse, scanner, joystick, light pen, etc
   • Classification of keys on the keyboard into Function, Numeric, Alphabetic
   • Cursor keys
   • Features, function and operation of the mouse
   • Differences in keyboard, mouse, light pen and scanner
2. Output Devices -Definition and examples
   • Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, plotter; type, features, and uses.
   • Differences between input and output devices
   • Similarities and differences in inkjet, laser and line printers
   • Examples and types of printers and monitors should be treated.
   • Central Processing Unit Components of C.P.U.: Arithmetic and logic unit, the control unit
   • The function of ALU and Control Unit The combination of the CPU and memory unit as a system unit should be mentioned.
   • Memory Unit Types of Memory Unit: Primary and Secondary Memory
   • components of Primary memory unit: ROM and RAM
   • Differences and uses of ROM and RAM
   • Examples of Secondary memory devices: are floppy disks, hard disks, compact disks (CD), flash disks, digital video disks (DVD)
   • Unit of storage in memory devices: bits, nibble, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes
   • Interconversion of a unit of storage.
   • comparative study of auxiliary storage devices in respect of their size, speed and technology
   • Physical identification of RAM and ROM devices is required.
   • Simple calculations involving the conversion from one unit to another Size and shape variation of floppy, flask/USB and compact disks should be noted
   • Logic Circuits: -Definition, types and uses of the standard Logic gate: AND, NOT, OR
   • Symbols of AND, NOT, OR gates
   • construction of truth table for standard logic gates
   • Differences between AND, NOT, OR gates
   • NAND and NOR as alternative logic gates should be treated
   • Construction of Truth Table for NAND and NOR
   • Construction of a simple comparator with -XOR( Exclusive OR)
   • NOR gate The logic equation for AND, NOT, OR gate should be treated.
   • Uses of logic gates are required.
   • The simple definition of a comparator is required.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

1. Computer Software
   • System Software
   • Operating System
   • Definition and types of software
   • System software
   • Application software
   • (ii) System software and their examples
   • Operating System e.g., MS Windows
   • Translator e.g. Compiler
   • Tools/ Utility e.g. Anti-virus
   • Examples of Operating Systems
   • MS Windows
   • Linux
   • UNIX
   • MS-DOS etc
   • Examples of Translators
   • Assemblers
   • Compilers
   • Interpreters
   • (v) Examples of Utility
   • Programs
   • Editor
   • Anti-virus etc
   • Definition, types, examples and function of Operating System
   • Graphic User Interface(GUI)
   • GUI (MS Windows, Linux, etc)
   • Command line (MS-DOS, UNIX, etc)
   • Differences between system and application software is required
   • Operating systems of phones, iPad and other computerized devices should be treated. E.g., Android, Blackberry, etc.
   • Differences among the translators should be noted
   • Differences between GUI and Command line Operating Systems are required.
   • Application Software Definition and Types of application software
   • Common Application Packages and their examples
   • Word processing(MS Windows)
   • Spreadsheet(MS Excel)
   • Database(MS Access)
   • Graphics
   • Packages for spreadsheet purposes
   • Accounting software
   • Payroll program
   • Banking Software
   • Education management software
   • Statistical packages
   • Hospital management software Differences between the user application programs and application packages are required

COMPUTER APPLICATION

1. Word Processing
   • Definition and examples of word processing and word processor
     • MS Word
     • Wordstar
     • WordPerfect
2. Features of Word Processing programs in general.
   • Application areas of Word Processing programs
   • Office
   • Publishing
   • Journalism
   • Education, etc.
3. Features of MS Word
   • Steps in activating and exiting MS Word
   • Basic operations in MS Word
     • Create
     • Edit
     • Save
     • Retrieve
     • Print
     • Close
4. Further operations in MS Word
   • move,  copy, cut
   • use of different types and sizes of fonts
   • formatting
   • justifying
   • search/explore
   • spell checking
   • file merging, etc
   • A definition of each operational term is required.
5. Spreadsheet
   • Definition and examples of a spreadsheet program
     • VisiCALC
     • MS Excel
     • SuperCALC
     • Autocad, etc
   • Feature of a spreadsheet program
   • pplication areas of Spreadsheet programs
     • Accounting
     • Statistical
     • calculation
     • Student results, etc
   • Features of MS Excel Environment
     • -status bar
     • -menu bar
     • -formula bar, etc
   • Definition of basic terms in MS Excel
     • -worksheet
     • -workbook
     • -cells
     • -cell ranges
   • Data types in Excel
     • Number
     • Labels
     • Formula
   • Basic operation in Excel
     • Data Entry
     • -Saving
     • -Retrieve
     • Copy
     • -Move
6. Arithmetic calculations using formula and built-in function
7. Additional operation in Excel
   • Editing
   • Formatting
   • Printing
   • -Drawing charts, etc
   • Simple calculations with and without built-in functions e.g. sum, average, etc
   • Pie chart, histogram, bar chart, etc
8. Database
   • Definition of database and database packages
   • Examples of database packages
     • Dbase IV,
     • Foxbase
     • MS Access
     • Oracle, etc
   • Basic terms in the Database
     • File
     • Record
     • Field
     • Key
   • Types of database organization methods and their features
     • Hierarchical
     • Network
     • Relational
   • Features of database format
     • Files designed as tables
     • Tables comprise rows and columns
     • Row containing related information about a record.
     • Column containing a specific type of information about a field.
   • Steps in creating a database
     • define the structure
     • indicate field type (numeric, character, data, text, etc)
     • enter data
     • save data
   • Basic operations on the already created database.
     • searching
     • modifying
     • sorting
     • reporting
     • selecting
     • inserting, etc
9. Graphics
   • Definition of Graphics
   • Examples of Graphics packages
     • Paint
     • Harvard graphics
     • Photoshop
     • Coreldraw, etc
   • Features in activating and existing Coreldraw
   • Simple design using Coreldraw
     • Business card
     • School logo
     • National flag
     • Invitation card
     • Certification, etc
10. Presentation package
    • Definition of presentation package
    • Examples of the presentation package
      • MS PowerPoint, etc
    • Features of PowerPoint environment
    • Steps in activating and exiting PowerPoint
11. PowerPoint operation
    • create a new presentation
    • insert pictures, text, graphs
    • animated contents
    • add a new slide
    • save presentation
    • run a slide show
    • print presentation
    • close presentation

MANAGING COMPUTER FILES

1. • Concept of Computer Files
   • Handling Computer Files
2. Definition of some terms
   • Concept of Computer Files
   • Handling Computer Files
3. Definition of some terms
   • computer file
   • record
   • field
   • data item
4. Types of the data item
   • numeric
   • alphabetic
   • alphanumeric
5. File structure organization (Data item—a record—file—database)
6. Types of file organization
   • serial
   • sequential
   • index
   • random
7. Methods of accessing files
   • serial
   • sequential
   • random
8. File classification
   • master file
   • transaction file
   • reference file
9. Criteria for classifying files:
   • nature of content(program and data)
   • organization method
   • storage medium
10. Basic operation of computer files
    • file
    • delete
    • retrieve
    • insert
    • copy
    • View
    • update
    • open
    • close
11. Effect of file insecurity
    • data loss
    • corruption of data
    • data becomes unreliable
12. Causes of data loss
    • over-writing
    • inadvertent deletion
13. Methods of file security
    • use of backup
    • use of antivirus
    • password
    • proper labelling of storage devices, etc
14. Differences between computer files and manual files
15. Advantages of computer files
    • more secure
    • fast to access, etc
16. Disadvantages of computer files
    • expensive to set up
    • irregular supply of electricity

    Differences among the organization methods are required

    File processing using BASIC programming is required.

BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS

1. Booting and shutting down process
   • Description and types of the booting process
   • Types of the booting process
     • cold booting
     • warm booting
   • Steps involved in
     • booting a computer;
     • shutting down a computer
2. Identification of features on a desktop
   • Definition of registers, address, bus
   • Types and functions of registers: MDR, CIR, SCR
   • Differences between register and main memory
3. Steps involved in how a computer converts data to required information (Input-Process-Output)
4. Factors affecting the speed of data transfer
   • -bus speed;
   • -bus width.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT)

1. What‘ICT’ acronym stands for?
2. Types of ICT
   • Broadcasting
   • Telecommunication
   • Data Network
   • Information Systems
   • Satellite Communications
3. Examples of Broadcasting
   • Radio broadcasting
   • Television broadcasting
   • Satellite system
4. Examples of Telecommunication
   • Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN)-Landline
   • Mobile phone systems
   • Circuit Switched Packet
   • Telephone System(CSPT)
   • Satellite telephone system
   • Fixed wireless telephone system
5. Examples of data networks
   • Personal Area Network(PAN)
   • Local Area Network(LAN)
   • Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)
   • Wide Area Network(WAN)
   • Internet
6. -Examples of Information Systems
   • Data Processing System
   • Global Positioning System(GPS)
7. Application areas of ICT
   • Internet
   • Electronic Mail(e-mail)Services
8. Application Areas of ICT include the following
   • Teleconferencing
   • Video conferencing
   • Telecommuting
   • Telecomputing
   • Messaging
   • Information search, retrieval and archival.
9. CT-based gadgets and their operations
   • Mobile phones
   • Computers
   • Fax machines
   • Automated Teller Machines(ATM)
   • Dispensing machines
   • Point of Sale Machines
   • Automated Cash Register(ACR)
   • Radio sets
   • Television sets, etc
10. Definition of the Internet and some Internet terms:
    • Homepage
    • Browse
    • Browser
    • Chatroom
    • Cybercafe
    • HTTP
    • HTML
    • ISP
    • Webpage
    • Website, etc
11. Types of Internet browsers
    • Internet Explorer
    • Netscape Navigator
    • Opera
    • Firefox
    • Cometbird , etc
12. Features of Internet browsers
    • Title bar
    • Menu bar
    • Toolbar
    • Address bar etc
13. Types of Internet services
    • Electronic mail (e-mail)
    • e-mail discussion group
    • Instant messaging
    • Telnet
    • Usenet
    • File Transfer
    • Protocol(FTP)
    • Worldwide
    • web(www)
    • Chatting, etc
14. Definition of electronic mail
15. E-mail Services:
    • sending/receiving e-mail
    • chatting, etc
    • Steps involved in creating an e-mail account
    • Steps involved in opening a mailbox
    • Features in an e-mail address, e.g., [email protected]
    • Definition and steps involved in chatting
16. Networking
    • Definition of a Computer Network
    • Types of Network
      • PAN
      • LAN
      • WAN
      • MAN
      • Internet
    • Network topology
      • Star
      • Bus
      • Ring
    • Network devices
      • Hub
      • Modems
      • Switches
      • Routers
      • Network Interface Card(NIC)
    • Advantages of Networking
      • What is the ‘W.W.W.’ acronym stands for
      • Brief history of W.W.W
      • Basic terminologies
        • W.W.W.
        • website
        • webpage
        • homepage
        • protocol, etc
17. Protocol
    • HTTP
    • HTML
18. Uses/benefits of www
    • Navigating through websites
      • www.waeconline.org
      • www.itbeginswithu.org
      • www.servenigeria.com
      • www.phillipemeagwali.com
      • www.jambonline.org
19. Difference between e-mail and website address features: e.g.www.waeconline.org
20. Software for web development
21. Cables and Connectors
    • Types of Network Cables and Connectors
      • Cables: Twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, telephone
      • Connectors: RJ45, RJ11, T- connectors
    • Types of Computer Cables and Connectors
      • Cables: Power cables, Data cables, Printer Cable, universal serial bus(USB), monitor cable, serial cable
      • Connectors: Male and female
    • Identification of different Network Cables Connectors should be treated

DEVELOPING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

1. Programming Language (PL)
   • Programming Language: Definition, examples, levels and features:
   • Levels and examples of programming language
     • Machine Language(ML) , e.g.100011001
     • Low Level Language(LLL), e.g., Assembly Language
     • High Level Language(HLL) e.g. BASIC,C++, FORTRAN, etc.
   • Comparison of ML, LLL, HLL.
   • Advantages and disadvantages of ML, LLL and HLL.
2. High-Level Languages
   • Definition and examples
   • Classification of HLL as
     • Scientific
     • Gen-purpose
     • Business
     • AI
     • String processing language(SPL)
   • Features of BASIC, C, PASCAL, COBOL
   • Comparative study Other programming languages, such as Java, Python, etc., should be mentioned.
3. Algorithm and Flowchart
   • Definition of  Algorithm and Flowchart
   • Functions of Algorithm
   • Characteristics of Algorithm:
     • Finite
     • Effective
     • Unambiguous
   • Writing algorithm for:
     • Computing the average of a given set of numbers
     • Evaluation of equation: y=a(b-c)2/(d+2)
     • Computing out the first ten odd numbers, etc
   • Flowchart symbols: – I/O, Process, decisions, etc
   • Use of each flowchart symbol
   • Flowchart diagrams for given programming problem
4. BASIC Programming
   • What BASIC acronym stands for
   • BASIC characteristics
   • Types of data
     • variable
     • constant/literal
     • numeric
     • string/alphanumeric
   • BASIC Statements
     • INPUT
     • PRINT, LPRINT
     • LET
     • END
     • REM
     • READ
     • DATA
   • Arithmetic operators(-,+,*,/)
   • Arithmetic Expressions
   • Evaluation of Arithmetic expressions
   • Simple BASIC Programs
   • Running Simple Programs
5. Built-in functions in BASIC
   • Built-in functions in BASIC
     • SQR(X)
     • INT(X)
     • SIN(X)
     • ABS(X)
     • RND(X)
     • COS(X)
     • TAN(X)
     • LOG(X)
     • EXP(X)
   • BASIC Notation of
     • (-b±√(b^2-4ac))/2a
     • (x-y)/(x+y)
     • (a+b) +c/sind
     • ex+y – sin(x+ny), etc
   • BASIC program to -find the square root of numbers
     • find the square root of S, round up to an integer
     • find the cosine of known values
     • find the tangent of given angles.
     • plot sine wave curve
   • Additional BASIC Statements
     • DIM Statement
     • FOR – NEXT statement
     • WHILE-END statement
   • Defining one-dimensional array, using DIM statement
   • Operating on Array elements
     • Input of array
     • Output of array
     • Arithmetic operations on array
   • Write a BASIC program to :
     • store a vector of 10 numbers
     • calculate the mean of 100 numeric values
     • calculate the area of 10 different rectangles
     • Compute the sum of the first 100 integers

Systems Development Cycle

1. Definition of the system development cycle
2. Description of the system development cycle
3. Stages in the system development Cycle
   • Preliminary study
   • Feasibility
   • Investigate study
   • Analysis
   • Design
   • Implementation
   • Maintenance
   • Study review
4. Description of each stage of a system development cycle
5. Diagram of a system development cycle

Program Development Cycle

1. Definition of the program
2. Characteristics of a good Program
   • Accuracy
   • Readability
   • Maintainability
   • Efficiency
   • Generality
   • Clarity
3. Precautions in developing a program
   • Be stable, steady and patient
   • No step skipping
   • Follow the order of execution
4. Steps involved in program development
   • Problem definition
   • Problem analysis
   • Flow chatting
   • Desk checking
   • Program coding
   • Program compilation
   • Program testing/debugging
   • Program documentation
5. Description of each of the stages in program development

   Examples of :

   • Interpreted program (BASIC)
   • Compiled program (COBOL, FORTRAN)

   A flow diagram on how a compiler and interpreter work is required

LIST OF FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED:

1. Equipments / Materials Required
   1. Computer set
   2. Laptops
   3. Scanners
   4. Printers
   5. Fax Machine
   6. GSM Phone
   7. Memory chips
   8. Hard disks
   9. Flash drives
   10. Internet connectivity
   11. DVD
   12. Compact disks
   13. Cables (power and data)
   14. Word processing packages, database packages, BASIC programs and CorelDraw