OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277)

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OCR GCSE Computer Science topic introductions are not endorsed by OCR. Please refer to the exam board specification to ensure that the full range of topics has been covered.

To access the course material, please click on the link to each section.

This course is supported by the paperback revision guide, GCSE Computer Science 9-1 Complete Visual Notes for OCR, available on Amazon to help students create a full set of revision notes in both visual and written form.

​Paper 1 – Computer Systems

The Computer systems exam covers the non-programming theory topics. This is a 1.5 hour written paper that includes multiple choice, short answer, and longer answer questions.

1.1 Systems Architecture

1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU

1.1.2  CPU performance

1.1.3 Embedded systems

1.2 Memory and storage

1.2.1 Primary storage (Memory)

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1.2.2 Secondary storage 

1.2.3 Units

1.2.4 Data storage

1.2.5 Compression

1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols

1.3.1 Networks and topologies

1.3.2 Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers

1.4 Wired & Wireless Networks

1.4.1 Threats to computer systems and networks

1.4.2 Identifiying and preventing vulnerabilities

1.5 Network Topologies & Protocols

 

1.5.1  Operating systems

1.5.2 Utility software

1.6 System Security

  • Forms of Attack
  • Threats Posed to Networks
  • Identifying & Preventing Vulnerabilities
  •  

1.6.1 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

[this section is not in j277]

1.7 System Software

1.8 Legal, Ethical, Moral, & Environmental Concerns

Paper 2 - Computational Thinking, Algorithms, & Programming

The Computational Thinking exam covers the programming theory topics. The NEA aspect of the course covers much of this, but you will be required to describe the design and development of programs in writing.

This is a 1.5 hour written paper that includes multiple choice, short answer, and longer answer questions.

2.1 Algorithms

2.1.1 Computational thinking

2.1.2 Designing, creating and refining algorithms

2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms

 

2.2 Programming Techniques

2.2.1 Programming fundamentals

2.2.2 Data types

2.2.3 Additional programming techniques

2.3 Producing Robust Programs

2.3.1 Defensive design

2.3.2 Testing

 

2.4 Computational Logic

2.4.1 Boolean logic

2.5 Translators & Facilities of Languages

2.5.1 Languages

2.5.2 The Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

 

[not a topic in j277]

2.6 Data Representation