Computer Studies Syllabus

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓identify the various computing devices since the early beginning of counting/computing
• ✓discuss the contributions and uses of each of the founders of these devices

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓relate each generation with its characteristic feature (first, second, third, fourth to current generation)
• ✓describe each generation under year of development, basic components/type of technology, speed of operation and storage capacity/component
• ✓explain the differences in the classification of computing systems by size (micro, mini, mainframe, and super)
• ✓differentiate among the various types of modern computer systems in respect of sizes and basic components, data and usage
• ✓state the importance and use of these computing systems

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define computer system in relation to its nature and programmability
• ✓list functional parts of computer systems
• ✓explain the characteristics of computers (electronic, accuracy, speed, interactive, reliability, consistency, large storage)
• ✓identify the differences between hardware and software
• ✓define and give examples of hardware devices
• ✓list components of computer hardware and their functions
• ✓explain the differences between input and output devices
• ✓explain the functions of major input devices and give examples
• ✓explain the classification of keys on the keyboard
• ✓explain the features, functions and operations of the mouse
• ✓define and give examples of output devices
• ✓list the different types, features and uses of each output device
• ✓explain the similarities and differences among inkjet, laser and line printers
• ✓list the components of the CPU — ALU, Control Unit and Registers
• ✓distinguish between primary and secondary memory (storage) units
• ✓list the components of primary memory unit (RAM, ROM)
• ✓explain the uses and differences between RAM and ROM
• ✓explain the functions of secondary (auxiliary) storages
• ✓give examples of secondary storages
• ✓carry out comparative analysis of auxiliary storage devices in respect of size, speed, cost and technology
• ✓list different units by which storage are measured and their relationships (bits, bytes, nibbles, words, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes)
• ✓define registers, bus and address
• ✓explain the functions of registers (MDR, MAR, MBR, AC, PC, CIR)
• ✓explain the differences between register and main memory
• ✓state the major steps involved in how a computer converts data to required information (input – process – output)
• ✓enumerate factors affecting speed of data transfer (bus speed and bus width)
• ✓define different types and uses of gates: AND, NOT, OR, NOR, NAND
• ✓interpret logic equations for AND, NOT and OR gates
• ✓construct truth table for standard logic gates
• ✓define comparator
• ✓construct a simple comparator with XOR and NOR gate
• ✓differentiate between system and application software
• ✓list different types of system software
• ✓define operating system (OS)
• ✓list functions of OS
• ✓list different types of OS user interfaces
• ✓give examples of operating systems
• ✓define utility software
• ✓list functions of utility software
• ✓define translators
• ✓explain the functions of translator software
• ✓list the different categories of translators (interpreter, assembler and compiler)
• ✓explain the differences among the categories of translators
• ✓list examples of application software and their usage
• ✓differentiate between open source and proprietary software
• ✓differentiate methods of acquiring application software
• ✓explain the differences between user application program and general-purpose application packages
• ✓give examples of common off-the-shelf application packages

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define data and information
• ✓list properties of information
• ✓list different types of data types (integers, real numbers, strings, multimedia)
• ✓identify ways of representing and handling data with special reference to binary, decimal, hexadecimal
• ✓define digitization
• ✓explain the process of digitization (manual, heads-up, interactive tracing, automatic)
• ✓list different formats of digitized data (image, audio, video, motion, text, multimedia)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define word processing, and give examples of word processing packages
• ✓identify features of word processing packages in general (create, save, edit, insert, print, share)
• ✓list the application areas of word processing packages
• ✓launch MS Word effectively
• ✓perform MS Word basic operations (create, edit, save, retrieve, print, copy and move)
• ✓use different types and sizes of fonts
• ✓perform MS Word operations of format, justify, search/explore, spell checking and file merging
• ✓close MS Word

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define spreadsheet and give examples of spreadsheet packages
• ✓identify features of spreadsheet packages in general (environment, status bar, menu bar, formula bar)
• ✓list the application areas of spreadsheet packages
• ✓launch MS Excel effectively
• ✓define basic terms in MS Excel (worksheet, workbook, cells, cell ranges)
• ✓use MS Excel to create, edit, save, retrieve, and print spreadsheet documents
• ✓use data types in MS Excel (number, labels, formula)
• ✓perform basic operations in MS Excel
• ✓perform arithmetic calculations using formula and inbuilt functions
• ✓close MS Excel

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define database and give examples of database packages
• ✓define basic database terms (file, record, field, key, form, table)
• ✓list and explain different types of database organisation (hierarchical, network and relational)
• ✓list the application areas of database in different organizations
• ✓explain different features of database format in MS Access
• ✓carry out steps to create a database in MS Access
• ✓carry out basic operations on an already created MS Access database (searching, modifying, sorting, reporting, selecting, inserting)
• ✓close the MS Access database

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define graphics and give examples of graphic packages
• ✓explain features of CorelDraw
• ✓use features of CorelDraw to activate an existing CorelDraw file
• ✓use CorelDraw to design a business card, school logo, national flag, invitation card, certificates

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define presentation and give examples of presentation packages
• ✓explain features of PowerPoint environment
• ✓explain steps in activating a PowerPoint presentation
• ✓perform PowerPoint operations to create a new presentation, insert pictures/text/graphs, save, run slide show and print

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define and give examples of web design packages
• ✓list elements of web design (navigation, visual design, content, web friendly, interaction, information accessibility, intuitiveness, branding, turnaround time, conversion)
• ✓use Dreamweaver for social media management, marketing, website design & web development, PPC management and advert consulting

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define some basic terms (file, record, field, data item)
• ✓identify and use of basic data types (numeric, alphabetic, and alphanumeric)
• ✓explain the relationship among file structure items (data item – field – record – file – database)
• ✓classify files according to how they are organised (serial, sequential, index and random)
• ✓access files as appropriate (serial, sequential and random)
• ✓classify files into master, transaction and reference
• ✓explain the criteria used in classifying files (nature of content, organization method, storage medium, date, size)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓perform basic file operations
• ✓identify causes of data loss
• ✓use different methods of securing data and maintaining its integrity
• ✓compare the advantages and disadvantages of computer and manual file (security, speed of access and creation, cost of setup and maintenance, electricity supply)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define booting
• ✓list the two types of booting process (cold and warm booting)
• ✓explain the difference between cold and warm booting
• ✓explain the steps involved in booting and shutting down a computer system

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓perform general cleaning of the computer system
• ✓charge and replace battery for portable systems and UPS
• ✓clean drive lens
• ✓perform simple hardware and software maintenance
• ✓recover data from a crashed system

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define proper sitting arrangement
• ✓position the monitor, keyboard, CPU, mouse and other peripherals appropriately
• ✓ensure proper illumination of the computer room
• ✓maintain a dust free environment
• ✓keep liquid away from computer room
• ✓keep strictly to laboratory rules and regulations

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓state the full meaning of the acronym ICT
• ✓define ICT
• ✓list types of ICT
• ✓give examples of broadcasting
• ✓list types of telecommunications (PSTN land line, mobile phone system, CSPT, satellite telephone system, fixed wireless telephone system)
• ✓list types of data network (PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN, intranet, internet)
• ✓list types of information system (data processing system, GPS)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define application areas of ICT
• ✓list types of ICT devices

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define internet
• ✓define and illustrate use of home page, browse, browser, chatroom, cybercafe, http, html, ISP, webpage, website
• ✓access the internet through any of the browsers
• ✓explain features of the internet browsers (title bar, menu bar, tool bar, address bar, icons, search bar, URL)
• ✓describe the use of different types of internet services (e-mail, e-mail discussion group, instant messaging/chats, virtual meeting platforms, FTP, WWW, search engines, chatting)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define electronic mail and chatting
• ✓list e-mail services
• ✓explain the features in an e-mail address e.g. xyz@jamb.org.ng (user@domainname) and the components of domain name

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define computer network
• ✓list and define various types of networks
• ✓explain the differences in basic network topologies
• ✓define and explain the use of network devices

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓give full meanings of www, HTTP, HTTPS, HTML, XML
• ✓explain the history behind www
• ✓explain basic terminologies
• ✓define protocol and list different types of protocols
• ✓list uses and benefits of www
• ✓list disadvantages of www
• ✓navigate through websites
• ✓use software for web development (Frontpage, WordPress, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Google Web Designer)
• ✓differentiate between email and website

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓identify different network cables and connectors
• ✓identify different types of computer cables and connectors

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define programming language (PL)
• ✓identify different classifications of PL
• ✓give advantages and disadvantages of machine language, assembly language and high-level programming language

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓classify high-level programming languages
• ✓explain the characteristics of high-level programming languages
• ✓define translators and its two basic types (interpreters, compilers)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define algorithm and flowchart
• ✓state functions of algorithms
• ✓state and explain the properties of algorithm
• ✓identify flowchart symbols
• ✓draw flowchart of a given programming problem

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓identify features/syntax of a programming language
• ✓identify basic statements of a high-level programming language (input, output, processing, comments, subunits, statements)
• ✓identify arithmetic operators and expressions
• ✓identify string operators and expressions
• ✓identify built-in functions
• ✓identify primitive data types
• ✓identify non-primitive data types and complex data structures

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define a program
• ✓list characteristics of a good program
• ✓state the precautions required in the development of a program
• ✓list the steps involved in program development
• ✓give examples of interpreted programs (BASIC, Java, Python) and compiled programs (COBOL, FORTRAN, C, C++, Java)

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define SDLC
• ✓describe SDLC
• ✓explain stages in SDLC
• ✓draw a diagram of SDLC

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define AI

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓identify branches of AI
• ✓list application areas of AI

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define robotics and robots
• ✓identify main components of robots
• ✓mention types of robots
• ✓itemise application areas of robots
• ✓state advantages and disadvantages of using robots

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define computer-related crime
• ✓state examples of computer-related crime
• ✓list methods to prevent unauthorised use of computer systems (user identification, passwords)
• ✓list methods to protect computer resources using both electronic and manual methods
• ✓list methods to protect privacy of individuals by law and electronically

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓define computer security
• ✓identify different types of computer security and their characteristics
• ✓identify appropriate security tool to use for the different types of computer security
• ✓identify categories of application threats and their characteristics
• ✓identify basic dimensions of information security (confidentiality, integrity, availability — CIA)
• ✓mention network security issues
• ✓mention network security methods
• ✓list types of cyber security threats
• ✓list cyber security safety tips

Objectives — candidates should be able to:

• ✓list possible career paths in computing