Zimbabwe O-Level Computer Science

This course covers the fundamentals of computer science, equipping learners with problem-solving skills and preparing them for further studies or specialization in computing fields. The syllabus aims to enable learners to appreciate the organization of computer systems, understand issues surrounding ICT development and use, develop programming and analysis skills, and foster innovative thinking.

The course is structured around the following key learning areas:

1. Hardware and Software:

• Form 1: Introduction to input devices, output devices, storage devices, processing devices, and software concepts. Learners gain a basic understanding of how these components function and interact.
• Form 2: Focus on application software (off-the-shelf, customized, open-source) and system software utility tools. Learners explore different types of software and their uses, and perform system optimization tasks.
• Form 3: Exploration of various hardware devices and their applications (e.g., POS terminals, ATMs, data capturing systems). Comparison of different operating systems (PC and mobile) and their functions.
• Form 4: Hardware and software maintenance, troubleshooting common errors, and building a functional PC.

2. Applications of Computer Science:

• Form 1: Introduction to computer applications in agriculture, banking systems, education, social networks, and research & development.
• Form 2: Further exploration of computer applications in agriculture, transport management, health, environmental management, and robotics.
• Form 3: Computer applications in agriculture, computer-aided manufacturing, intelligent systems, wildlife management, and mining.
• Form 4: Designing models of agricultural systems, ambient systems, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

3. Data Representation:

• Form 1: Introduction to the binary number system, its use and importance in computer systems, and data representation using binary.
• Form 2: Conversion between binary and denary number systems, addition and subtraction of binary numbers, and converting keyboard characters to ASCII code.
• Form 3: Units of storage (bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, terabyte), number bases (octal, hexadecimal), and converting denary numbers to octal and hexadecimal.
• Form 4: Logic gates, truth tables, and modeling electronic circuits using logic gates.

4. Communication Networks and Internet Technologies:

• Form 1: Networking concepts, types of networks (LAN, WAN), network topologies (star, ring, bus, mesh), and internet services (email, e-commerce, e-learning, social media).
• Form 2: Data transmission modes (duplex, half-duplex, simplex), data transmission media (twisted pair, coaxial, optic fibre, wireless), types of networks (LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN), and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
• Form 3: Mobile technology (mobile phones, satellite, PDAs, tablets), wireless technologies (WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, Infrared, Microwave, Radio waves), and cloud services.
• Form 4: Network protocols (TCP/IP, OSI), networking devices (hub, router, switch, bridge, modem), designing and configuring network models.

5. Security and Ethics:

• Form 1: Cyber wellness, cyber use and culture, handling online content and behavior, online relationships, copyright issues, plagiarism, and piracy.
• Form 2: Computer crime, data protection measures (passwords, file permissions), and computer ethics.
• Form 3: Data privacy, data integrity (verification and validation), system security, cybercrime (spoofing, sniffing, fraud, hacking), setting up firewalls, and network security measures.
• Form 4: Data backup, disaster recovery planning, and using data recovery tools.

6. Systems Analysis and Design:

• Form 1: Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) overview, problem identification, and data collection techniques.
• Form 2: Feasibility study (technical, economic, legal, operational, social).
• Form 3: Systems analysis (alternative solutions, DFDs, activity diagrams), systems design (input/output design, user interface design, database/file design, system flowcharts, algorithm design), development and testing (coding, testing).
• Form 4: Documentation, user training, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance.

7. Algorithm Design and Problem Solving:

• Form 1: Introduction to algorithm tools and the sequence construct.
• Form 2: Algorithm tools (pseudocode structures, selection and repetition constructs), applying selection and repetition algorithm structures in problem-solving.
• Form 3: Algorithm tools (flowcharts, pseudocode, top-down and bottom-up design), interpreting and testing algorithms, correcting errors in algorithms.
• Form 4: Algorithm design.

8. Programming:

• Form 1: Programming concepts (program structure, variables, constants, data types, operators).
• Form 2: Programming concepts (control structures - repetition and selection), functions, testing, and debugging.
• Form 3: Interface design, visual programming (functions, objects), testing and debugging, error handling techniques.
• Form 4: Coding programs, testing, and debugging.

9. Databases:

• Form 1: Database creation, file structure elements (fields, data types, field size, data formats, validation rules, input masks), database objects (queries, forms, reports).
• Form 2: Database objects and views, data manipulation methods, database security.
• Form 3: Database objects and views, external data sources, database security.
• Form 4: Advanced queries, database connection, database security.

10. Web Design:

• Form 1: Web page templates and web content development.
• Form 2: Content Management Systems (CMS), web content development, testing, debugging, plugins, and extensions.
• Form 3: Content management systems (web feeds, ads), graphic design (animations, videos), web security (cookies, developer tools, plugins/extensions), testing and debugging.
• Form 4: Web development, web security, testing, and debugging.

11. Technopreneurship:

• Form 1: Elements of intellectual capital (human, organization, social), business ethics, marketing, and business strategies (e-commerce).
• Form 2: Environmental technopreneurship components (science parks, incubation centers, academic institutions, R&D centers).
• Form 3: Laws and policies on technopreneurship, intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights).
• Form 4: Finance and funding, market research.

This comprehensive syllabus provides a strong foundation in computer science for O-Level students in Zimbabwe.