IBCS Course Overview

SL and HL Core Topics

     Topic 1: Systems Fundamentals

     Topic 2: Computer Organization

     Topic 3: Network Fundamentals

     Topic 4: Computational thinking, problem-solving and programming

     * Option D: Object-Oriented Programming

HL Only Topics

     Topic 4: Advanced Program Development

     Topic 5: Abstract Data Structures

     Topic 6: Resource Management

     Topic 7: Control Systems (Embedded Systems)

     * Option D: Object-Oriented Programming

7 

• • • Displays comprehensive knowledge of computer science factual information and a thorough command and understanding of concepts and principles. 

    • Selects, applies and analyses relevant information, concepts and principles in a wide variety of contexts to solve most problems proficiently. 

    • Interprets and constructs fairly complex algorithms and produce workable and mostly efficient solutions. 

    • Communicates logically and concisely using appropriate terminology. 

    • Shows insight and initiative in extended responses. 

    • IA - Produces a complete plan and provides a fully consistent design overview. The product developed completely matches the plan and works. The documentation is complete and the product is fully tested and evaluated. The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates high levels of complexity and ingenuity. 

6 

• • • Displays very broad knowledge of computer science factual information and an understanding of concepts and principles. 

    • Selects and applies relevant information, concepts and principles in most contexts, to solve basic or familiar problems and most new or difficult problems. 

    • Interprets and constructs fairly complex algorithms with few errors to produce workable solutions. 

    • Communicates effectively using appropriate terminology. 

    • Shows occasional insight or initiative in extended responses. 

    • IA - Produces a plan and design overview.  The product matches the plan and works.  The documentation is complete and the product has been tested and evaluated.  The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates a very good level of complexity and ingenuity. 

5 

• • • Displays broad knowledge of computer science factual information. 

    • Shows sound understanding of most concepts and principles and applies them in some contexts, to solve most basic or familiar problems and some new or difficult problems. 

    • Interprets and constructs fairly complex algorithms and produce a partially workable or inefficient solution. 

    • Communicates clearly, using appropriate terminology, with little or no irrelevant material. 

    • IA - Produces a partial plan and a design overview that meets plan requirements. The product works but does not fully match the plan. The testing and documentation is complete, but evaluation is incomplete. The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates a good level of complexity and ingenuity. 

4 

• • • Displays reasonable knowledge of computer science factual information, though with some gaps. 

    • Shows adequate comprehension of most basic concepts and principles but with limited ability to apply them. 

    • Solves some basic or routine problems but shows limited ability to deal with new or difficult situations. 

    • Interprets and constructs simple algorithms. 

    • Communicates adequately, using mostly correct terminology, although responses lack clarity and include some repetitive or irrelevant material. 

    • Produces a basic plan and a design overview. 

    • IA - The product mostly works but does not match all aspects of the plan. The documentation is complete and there is evidence of testing but the evaluation is incomplete. The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates an adequate level of complexity and ingenuity. 

3 

• • • Displays limited knowledge of computer science factual information. 

    • Shows a partial comprehension of basic concepts and principles and limited ability to apply them. 

    • Interprets or constructs simple algorithms. 

    • Communicates, using basic terminology, with a lack of clarity and some repetitive or irrelevant material. 

    • IA - Produces an incomplete plan and design overview. The product matches some aspects of the plan and there is some evidence of testing or evaluation in the documentation. The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates a limited level of complexity and ingenuity. 

2 

• • • Displays little recall of computer science factual information. 

    • Shows limited comprehension of basic concepts and principles and little evidence of application. 

    • Some evidence of being able to interpret or construct simple algorithms. 

    • Offers responses which are often incomplete or irrelevant. 

    • IA - Produces a weak and incomplete plan. The design overview is poor and does not match the plan. The product is poor and does not work. There is limited evidence of testing, poor documentation, and limited or no evaluation. The use of techniques in solving problems demonstrates a low level of complexity and ingenuity.

1 

• • • Recalls fragments of computer science factual information and shows very little understanding of any concepts or principles. 

    • Displays little or no ability at algorithm construction and interpretation. 

    • Their design overview and plan are not attempted. 

    • There is little or no evidence of a working product and little or no evidence of testing, documentation or evaluation. The use of techniques in solving problems fails to demonstrate any level of complexity or ingenuity.