COMPUTER STUDIES
WAEC SYLLABUS ON COMPUTER STUDIES
PREAMBLE
This examination syllabus is developed from the National Curriculum for Senior SecondarySchool Computer Studies. It highlights the scope of the course for Computer Studiesexaminations at this level. Its structuring revolves around conceptual approach. The majorthematic areas considered in the entire syllabus include:
1. Computer fundamentals and evolution
2. Computer hardware
3. Computer Software
4. Basic Computer Operations
5. Computer Applications
6. Managing Computer files
7. Developing Problem-solving skills
8. Information and Communication Technology
9. Computer ethics and human issues
Each thematic area forms a concept which is further divided into sub-concepts. This examinationsyllabus is not a substitute for the teaching syllabus. Therefore, it does not replace thecurriculum.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the syllabus are to test candidates’ understanding, knowledge and acquisitionof
1. basic concepts of computer and its operations;
2. manipulative, computational and problem-solving skills;
3. application of software packages;
4. operation of computer - related simple devices;
5. on-line skills and their applications;
6. safe attitudes and good practices on effective use of computer;
7. potential for higher studies in Computer related areas.
EXAMINATION SCHEME:
There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 shall bea composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
PAPER 1:
will consist of 50 multiple-choice objective questions all which are to be answered in 1hour for 25 marks.PAPER 2:
will consist of five essay questions. Candidates will be required to answer any three in1 hour for 30 marks.PAPER 2:
will test actual practical skills of school candidates and knowledge of practical workfor private candidates. It will consist of three questions to be answered in 2 hours for45 marks.DETAILED SYLLABUS
| TOPIC | SUB-TOPIC | CONTENTS | NOTES |
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COMPUTER EVOLUTION | (a) Computing Devices I (Precomputing age‐ 19th century) | (i) Features , components anduses of early computing devices: ‐ Abacus; ‐ Slide Rule ; ‐ Napier’s bone; ‐ Pascal’s calculator; ‐ Leibnitz multiplier; ‐ Jacquad loom; ‐ Charles Babbage’sanalytical engine; ‐ Hollerith CensusMachine; ‐ Burrough’s Machine. (ii) Contribution of each of thefounder of these devices tomodern computers. | Trend of development in computing devices from one to the other. |
(b) 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 basiccomponentsshould beconsidered ina comparativeform. | |
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FUNDAMENTALS OFCOMPUTING | (a) Overview of Computing System | ‐ Definition of a Computer; | Differencesbetweenhardware andsoftwareshould betreated. |
(b) Data and Information | ‐ Definition andexamples of data andinformation;‐ Differences betweendata and information. | ||
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COMPUTER ETHICS AND HUMAN ISSUES | Security and Ethics | 1. Sources of securitybreaches: ‐ Virus, worms andTrojan horses; ‐ Poor implementation ofnetwork; ‐ Poor implementation orlack of ICT policies; ‐ Carelessness‐ giving outpersonal and vitalinformation on the netwithout carefulscreening. ‐ Hackers, spammers etc. | Definition andeffects ofviruses andworms shouldbe treatedDefinition ofhackers andspammersshould betreated |
| 2. Preventive measures‐ Use of antivirus software e.g. Norton,McAfee, Avast, etc ‐ Use of firewall; ‐ Exercising care in givingout vital and personalinformation ‐ Encryption ‐ Proper NetworkImplementation andPolies ‐ Using sites with webcertificates ‐ Exercising care inopening e‐mailattachments | Explanation offirewall isrequiredDefinition ofencryptionshould betreated | ||
| 3. Legal Issues ‐Copyright (software copyright) ‐ownership right to ‐text; ‐images; ‐audio; ‐video ‐Privacy of audio andvideo software ‐Cyber crimes ‐identify theft; ‐internet fraud ‐Hacking | |||
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COMPUTER HARDWARE | (a) Input devices | Definition and examples ofinput devicesThe use of keyboard,mouse, scanner, joystick,light pen, etcClassification of keys onthe keyboard intoFunction, Numeric,Alphabetic‐Cursor keys‐Features, function andoperation of the mouse‐Differences in keyboard,mouse, light pen andscanner | |
Output Devices | ‐Definition and examples ‐Output devices: monitor,printer, speaker, plotter –Type, features and uses. ‐Differences between inputand output devices ‐Similarities anddifferences in inkjet, laserand line printer | Examples andtypes ofprinters andmonitorsshould be treated. | |
Central Processing Unit | Components of C.P.U.:Arithmetic and logic unit,control unitFunction of ALU andControl Unit | Combinationof the CPU andMemory Unitas system unitshould bementioned. | |
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Memory Unit | Types of Memory Unit: Primaryand Secondarymemory ‐Components of Primarymemory unit: ROM andRAMDifferences and uses ofROM and RAM Examples of Seconadrymemory devices: floppydisk, hard disk, compactdisk(CD), flash disk, digital video‐disk(DVD)Unit of storage in memorydevices: bits, nibble, bytes,kilobytes, megabytes,gigabytes, terabytesInterconversion of unit ofstorage. ‐Comparative study ofauxiliary storage devices inrespect of their size, speedand technology | Physicalidentificationof RAM andROM devicesrequired.Simplecalculationinvolving theconversionfrom a unit toanotherSize and shapevariation of floppy,flask/USB andcompact disksshould benoted | |
Logic Circuits | ‐Definition, types and usesof standard logic gate:AND, NOT, ORSymbols of AND, NOT, ORgates ‐Construction of truth tablefor standard logic gates ‐Differences between AND,NOT, OR gates ‐NAND and NOR asalternative logic gatesshould be treatedConstruction of Truth Tablefor NAND and NORConstruction of a simplecomparator with ‐XOR(Exclusive OR) ‐NOR gate | Logic equationfor AND, NOT,OR gateshould betreated.Uses of logicgates arerequired.Simpledefinition of acomparator isrequired. | |
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COMPUTER SOFTWARE | (a) System Software | (i) Definition and types ofsoftware ‐ System software ‐ Application software (ii) System software and theirexamples ‐ Operating System e.g.MS Windows ‐ Translator e.g. Compiler ‐ Tools/ Utility e.g. Antivirus (iii) Examples of OperatingSystem ‐ MS Windows ‐ Linux ‐ UNIX ‐ MS‐DOS etc (iv) Examples of Translators ‐ Assemblers ‐ Compilers ‐ Interpreters (v) Examples of UtilityPrograms ‐ Editor ‐ Anti‐virus etc | Differencesbetweensystem andapplicationsoftware isrequired Operatingsystems ofphones, ipadand other computerizeddevices shouldbe treated.E.g. Android,Blackberry,etc. Differencesamong thetranslatorsshould benoted |
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(b) Operating System | (i) Definition, types,examples and functionof Operating System ‐ Graphic UserInterface(GUI) ‐ GUI (MS Windows,Linux, etc) ‐ Command line (MSDOS, UNIX, etc) | Differencesbetween GUIand Commandline OperatingSystems arerequired. | |
(c) Application Software | (i) Definition and types ofapplication software (ii) Common ApplicationPackages and theirexamples ‐ Word processing(MSWindows) ‐ Spreadsheet(MS Excel) ‐ Database(MS Access) ‐ Graphics (iii) Packages forspreadsheet purpose ‐ Accounting software ‐ Payroll program ‐ Banking software ‐ Education managementsoftware ‐ Statistical packages ‐ Hospital managementsoftware | Differencesbetween userapplicationprogram andapplicationpackages arerequired | |
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COMPUTER APPLICATION | (a) Word Processing | (i) Definition andexamples of wordprocessing and wordprocessor ‐MS Word ‐Wordstar ‐WordPerfect (ii) Features of WordProcessing programs ingeneral. (iii) Application areas ofWord Processingprograms ‐Office ‐Publishing ‐Journalism ‐Education, etc. (iv) Features of MSWord (v) Steps in activating andexiting MS Word (vi) Basic operations in MSWord ‐Create ‐ Edit ‐ Save ‐Retrieve ‐ Close (vii) Further operationsin MS Word ‐move ‐copy ‐cut ‐use of differentTypesand sizes of fonts ‐formatting ‐justifying ‐search/explore ‐spell checking ‐file merging, etc | Definition ofeachoperationalterm isrequired. |
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(b) Spreadsheet | (i) Definition and examplesof spreadsheet program ‐VisiCALC ‐MS Excel ‐SuperCALC ‐Autocad, etc (ii) Feature ofspreadsheet program (iii)Application areas ofSpreadsheetprograms: ‐Accounting ‐Statisticalcalculation ‐Student result, etc (iv)Features of MS ExcelEnvironment ‐status bar ‐menu bar ‐formula bar, etc(v)Definition of basic terms in MSExcel ‐worksheet ‐workbook ‐cells ‐cell ranges (vi)Data types in Excel ‐Number ‐Labels ‐Formula (vii)Basic operation inExcel ‐Data Entry ‐Saving ‐RetrieveCopy ‐Move (viii)Arithmeticcalculations usingformula and built‐infunction (ix)Additional operationin Excel ‐Editing ‐Formatting ‐Printing ‐Drawing charts, etc | Simplecalculationswith andwithout builtinfunction e.g.sum, average,etc Pie chart,histogram, barchart, etc | |
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(c) Database | (i)Definition of databaseand database packages (ii)Examples of databasepackages ‐Dbase IV, ‐Foxbase ‐MS Access ‐Oracle, etc (iii)Basic terms inDatabase ‐File ‐Record ‐Field ‐Key (iv)Types of databaseorganization methods and theirfeatures ‐Hierarchical ‐Network ‐Relational (v)Features of databaseformat ‐Files designed astables ‐Tables compriserow andcolumns ‐Row containingrelatedinformationabout a record. ‐Columncontainingspecific type ofinformationabout a field. (vi)Steps in creatingdatabase ‐define the structure ‐indicate field type(numeric,character, data,text, etc) ‐enter data ‐save data (vii)Basic operations onalreadycreated database. Database ‐searching ‐modifying ‐sorting ‐reporting ‐selecting ‐inserting, etc | ||
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(d) Graphics | (i)Definition of Graphics (ii)Examples of Graphicspackages ‐Paint ‐Harvard graphics ‐Photoshop ‐Coreldraw, etc (iii)Features in activatingand existingCoreldraw (iv)Simple design usingCoreldraw ‐Business card ‐School logo ‐National flag ‐Invitation card ‐Certification, etc | ||
(e) Presentation package | (i)Definition ofpresentationpackage (ii)Examples ofpresentation package‐MS PowerPoint, etc (iii)Features ofPowerPointenvironment (iv)Steps in activatingand exitingPowerPoint (v)PowerPoint operation ‐create newpresentation ‐insert pictures, text,graphs ‐animated contents ‐add new slide ‐save presentation ‐run slide show ‐print presentation ‐close presentation | ||
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MANAGING COMPUTER FILES | (a) Concept of Computer Files | (i)Definition of someterms ‐computer file ‐record ‐field ‐data item (ii)Types of data item ‐numeric ‐alphabetic ‐alphanumeric (iii)File structureorganisation (Data item—record—file—database) (iv)Types of fileorganization ‐serial ‐sequential ‐index ‐random (v) Methods of accessingfiles ‐serial ‐sequential ‐random (vi) File classification ‐master file ‐transaction file ‐reference file (vii)Criteria forclassifying files: ‐nature of content(programand data) ‐organisationmethod ‐storage medium | Differencesamong theorganizationmethods arerequired |
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(b) Handling Computer Files | (i)Basic operation oncomputer files ‐file ‐delete ‐retrieve ‐insert ‐copy ‐view ‐update ‐open ‐close (ii) Effect of fileinsecurity ‐data loss ‐data corruption ‐data becomesunreliable (iii)Causes of data loss ‐over‐writing ‐inadvertentdeletion (iv)Methods of filesecurity ‐use of backup ‐use of antivirus ‐password ‐proper labellingof storage devices, etc (v)Differences betweencomputer files andmanual files (vi)Advantages ofcomputer files ‐more secure ‐fast to access,etc (vii)Disadvantages ofcomputer files ‐expensive to set up ‐irregular supplyof electricity | File processingusing BASICprogrammingis required. | |
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BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS | (a) Booting and shuttingdown process | (i) Description and typesof booting process (ii)Types of bootingprocess ‐cold booting ‐warm booting (iii)Steps involved in: ‐booting acomputer; ‐shutting down acomputer (iv)Identification offeatures on a desktop | Differencebetween coldand warmbooting shouldbe treated |
(b) Computer DataConversion | (i)Definition of registers,address, bus (ii)Types and functionsof registers: MDR,CIR, SCR (iii)Differences betweenregister and mainmemory (iv)Steps involved inhow a computerconverts data torequired information(Input‐Process‐Output) (v)Factors affectingspeed of data transfer: ‐bus speed; ‐bus width. | Fetch‐executecycle is notrequired | |
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT) | (a) Communication Systems | (i)What‘ICT’ acronymstands for. (ii) Types of ICT ‐Broadcasting ‐Telecommunication ‐Data Network ‐InformationSystems ‐SatelliteCommunications ‐Examples ofBroadcasting ‐Radiobroadcasting ‐Televisionbroadcasting ‐Satellite system ‐Examples ofTelecommunication ‐Public SwitchedTelephone Network(PSTN)‐Landline ‐Mobile phonesystems ‐Circuit SwitchedPacketTelephoneSystem(CSPT) ‐Satellite telephonesystem ‐Fixed wirelesstelephonesystem ‐Examples of datanetworks ‐Personal AreaNetwork(PAN) ‐Local AreaNetwork(LAN) ‐Metropolitan AreaNetwork(MAN) ‐Wide AreaNetwork(WAN) ‐Internet ‐Examples ofInformation Systems ‐Data ProcessingSystem ‐Global PositioningSystem(GPS) | |
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(b) Application areas of ICT | (i)Application Areas of ICTincludethe following: ‐Teleconferencing ‐Video conferencing ‐Telecommuting ‐Telecomputing ‐Messaging ‐Information search,retrievaland archival. (ii)ICT based gadgetsand theiroperations ‐Mobile phones ‐Computers ‐Fax machines ‐Automated TellerMachines(ATM) ‐Dispensingmachines ‐Point of SaleMachines ‐ Automated CashRegister(ACR) ‐Radio sets ‐Television sets, etc | Knowledge onthe operationson these ICT basedgadgetsis required. | |
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(c)Internet | (i)Definition of Internetand someInternet terms: ‐Homepage ‐Browse ‐Browser ‐Chatroom ‐Cybercafe ‐HTTP ‐HTML ‐ISP ‐Webpage ‐Website,etc (ii)Types of internetbrowsers ‐Internet explorer ‐Netscape navigator ‐Opera ‐Firefox ‐Cometbird ,etc (iii)Features of Internetbrowsers: ‐Title bar ‐Menu bar ‐Tool bar ‐Address bar,etc (iv)Types of Internetservices ‐Electronic mail (email) ‐e‐mail discussiongroup ‐Instant messaging ‐Telnet ‐Usenet ‐File TransferProtocol(FTP) ‐World wideweb(www) ‐Chatting, etc | Demonstration of theseterms throughInternetaccess isrequiredAccess Internetthrough thesebrowsers. Application ofthe features ofInternetbrowserwindow isrequired Benefits ofInternet to oursociety shouldbe stressed | |
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(d) Electronic Mail(email) Services | (i)Definition of electronicmail (ii)E‐mail Services: ‐sending/receiving email ‐chatting, etc (iii)Steps involved increating e‐mailaccount (iv)Steps involved inopening mail box (v)Features in an e‐mailaddress e.g. contact@aseiclass.com (vi)Definition and stepsinvolved in chatting | Procedure forsending andreceiving emailisrequired | |
(e)Networking | (i)Definition of aComputer Network (ii)Types of Network ‐PAN ‐LAN ‐WAN ‐MAN ‐Internet (iii) Network topology ‐Star ‐Bus ‐Ring (iv)Network devices ‐Hub ‐Modems ‐Switches ‐Routers ‐Network Interface Card(NIC) (v)Advantages ofNetworking | Differences inthe varioustopologiesshould betreated. Knowledge of“Bridge” as anetworkingdevice isrequired. | |
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(f) Introduction to World wide web (W.W.W.) | (i)What is the ‘W.W.W.’acronym stands for (ii)Brief history of W.W.W. (iii)Basic terminologies: ‐W.W.W. ‐website ‐webpage ‐homepage ‐protocol, etc (iv)Protocol ‐HTTP ‐HTML (v)Uses/benefits of www (vi)Navigating throughwebsites www.waeconline.org ‐www.itbeginswithu.org ‐www.servenigeria.com ‐www.phillipemeagwali.com ‐www.jambonline.org (vii)Difference betweene‐mail and websiteaddress features: e.g.www.waeconline.org and waec@yahoo.com (viii)Software for webdevelopment ‐Frontpage ‐ etc | Nigeria’scontributionto www should bementioned Use of HTTPand HTMLshould bementioned Visits to thesewebsites areessential | |
(g) Cables and Connectors | (i)Types of Network Cables andConnectors ‐Cables: Twisted pair,coaxial, fibre optic,telephone ‐Connectors: RJ45, RJ11, Tconnectors (ii)Types of Computer Cablesand Connector ‐Cables:Power cablesData cables – PrinterCable,universal serialbus(USB), monitorcable, serial cable‐Connectors: Male andfemale | Identificationof differentNetworkCablesConnectorsshould betreated | |
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DEVELOPING PROBLEM‐SOLVING SKILLS | (a) ProgrammingLanguage(PL) | (i) Programming Language:Definition, examples, levelsand features: (ii)Levels and examples ofprogramming language ‐MachineLanguage(ML), e.g.100011001 ‐Low LevelLanguage(LLL), e.g. AssemblyLanguage ‐High LevelLanguage(HLL) e.g. BASIC,C++, FORTRAN,etc. (iii)Comparison of ML,LLL, HLL. (iv)Advantages anddisadvantages of ML, LLL and HLL. | |
(b)High LevelLanguages | (i) Definition andexamples (ii)Classification of HLLas ‐Scientific ‐Gen‐purpose ‐Business ‐AI ‐String processinglanguage(SPL) (iii)Features of BASIC,C, PASCAL, COBOL – Comparative study Differencesbetween GUIand Commandline OperatingSystems arerequired. Otherprogramminglanguagessuch as Java,Python, etc.should bementioned. | ||
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(c)Algorithm andFlowchart | (i)Definition of:Algorithhm andFlowchart (ii)Functions ofAlgorithm (iii)Characteristics ofAlgorithm: ‐Finite ‐Effective ‐Unambiguous (iv)Writing algorithmfor: ‐Computing averageof a givenset of numbers ‐Evaluation ofequation: y=a(b‐c)2/(d+2)‐Computing out thefirst ten oddnumbers, etc (v)Flowchart symbols:‐ I/O, Process,decisions, etc (vi)Use of each flowchartsymbol (vii)Flowchart diagrams forgiven programmingproblem | Otherprogramminglanguagessuch as Java,Python, etc.should bementioned. | |
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(d)BASIC Programming | (i)What BASIC acronymstands for(ii)BASIC characteristics (iii)Types of data ‐variable ‐constant/literal ‐numeric ‐string/alphanumeric (iv)BASIC Statements INPUT PRINT, LPRINT LET END REM READ DATA (v)Arithmetic operators(‐,+,*,/) (vi)ArithmeticExpressions (vii)Evaluation ofArithmeticexpressions (viii)Simple BASICPrograms (ix)Running SimplePrograms (i)Built‐in functions in BASIC ‐SQR(X) ‐INT(X) ‐SIN(X) ‐ABS(X) ‐RND(X) ‐COS(X) ‐TAN(X) ‐LOG(X) ‐EXP(X) (ii)BASIC Notation of ‐(a+b) +c/sind ‐ex+y – sin(x+ny), etc (iii)BASIC program to ‐find the square rootof numbers ‐find square root of S,round up to aninteger ‐find the cosine ofknown values ‐find the tangent ofgiven angles. ‐plot sine wave curve (iv)Additional BASICStatements ‐DIM Statement ‐FOR – NEXTstatement ‐WHILE ‐ENDstatement (v)Defining onedimensionalarray , using DIM statement. (vi)Operating on Array elements ‐Input of array ‐Output of array ‐Arithmeticoperations on array (vii)Write BASICprogram to : ‐store a vector of 10numbers ‐calculate the meanof 100 numericvalues ‐calculate area of 10differentrectangles ‐Compute the sum ofthe first 100 integers | Types of datashould betreatedProgram tocalculate ‐Area oftriangle ‐Area of arectangle ‐Average of 3numbers,etcThe simpleBASIC programdevelopedshould beexecutable onthe computer. Numbers ofiterationsshould notexceed eight(8). | |
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(f) Systems Development Cycle | (i)Definition of systemdevelopment cycle (ii)Description of systemdevelopment cycle (iii)Stages in systemdevelopmentCycle ‐Preliminary study ‐Feasibility ‐Investigate study ‐Analysis ‐Design ‐Implementation ‐Maintenance ‐Study review (iv)Description of eachstage ofsystem developmentcycle (v)Diagram of system developmentcycle | ||
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(e)Program Development Cycle | (i)Definition of program (ii)Characteristics of agoodProgram ‐Accuracy ‐Readability ‐Maintainability ‐Efficiency ‐Generality ‐Clarity (iii)Precautions indeveloping aprogram ‐Be stable, steadyand patient ‐No step skipping ‐Follow order ofexecution (iv)Steps involved inprogramdevelopment ‐Problem definition ‐Problem analysis ‐Flow chatting ‐Desk checking ‐Program coding ‐Programcompilation ‐Programtesting/debugging ‐Programdocumentation (v)Description of each ofstages in programdevelopment (vi)Examples of : ‐Interpretedprogram(BASIC) ‐Compiled program(COBOL, FORTRAN) | Flow diagramon how acompiler andinterpreterworks isrequired | |
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LIST OF FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED:
(1) Computer set(2) Laptops
(3) Scanners
(4) Printers
(5) Fax Machine
(6) GSM Phone
(7) Memory chips
We provide educational resources/materials, curriculum guide, syllabus, scheme of work, lesson note & plan, waec, jamb, O-level & advance level GCE lessons/tutorial classes, on various topics, subjects, career, disciplines & department etc. for all the Class of Learners
(9) Flash drives
(10) Internet connectivity
(11) DVD
(12) Compact disks
(13) Cables (power and data)
(14) Word processing packages, database package, BASIC program andCorelDraw