Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

56 free lessons that follow the GCSE specification topic by topic. Each lesson has short notes, a worked example and a quick check with instant marking.

Start learning Computer Science Topic list and checklist

GCSE · Pearson Edexcel 1CP2

Getting started

4 lessons · about 53 minutes

What is an algorithm? 12 min
Sequence, selection and iteration 15 min
Binary basics: bits and place value 14 min
Inside a computer: input, process, output and storage 12 min

Topic 1: Computational thinking

10 lessons · about 2 h 40 min

Decomposition and abstraction 13 min
Algorithms and flowcharts 16 min
Variables, constants and operators 15 min
Trace tables and types of error 16 min
Searching and sorting 18 min
Bubble sort and merge sort step by step 18 min
Linear and binary search in code 18 min
Evaluating algorithms and test data 15 min
Logic gates and truth tables 16 min
Truth tables with three inputs 15 min

Topic 2: Data

9 lessons · about 2 h 25 min

Binary numbers 17 min
Two's complement signed integers 16 min
Binary addition, overflow and shifts 17 min
Hexadecimal 15 min
Representing characters: ASCII 13 min
Images, sound and the limits of bits 16 min
Data units, images and sound 18 min
File size and capacity calculations 18 min
Data compression 13 min

Topic 3: Computers

7 lessons · about 1 h 40 min

The CPU and the fetch-decode-execute cycle 16 min
Buses and the stored program concept 15 min
Memory and storage 14 min
How secondary storage works 15 min
Embedded systems 12 min
Operating systems and utility software 15 min
Programming languages and translators 15 min

Topic 4: Networks

6 lessons · about 88 minutes

Networks, LANs, WANs and the internet 15 min
Wired, wireless and network speed 16 min
Network and email protocols 14 min
The TCP/IP model 14 min
Network topologies 14 min
Network security and robust software 15 min

Topic 5: Issues and impact

6 lessons · about 85 minutes

Environmental impact of digital devices 13 min
Personal data: ethics and law 15 min
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics 14 min
Intellectual property and licensing 14 min
Malware and cyberattacks 15 min
Protecting systems and data 14 min

Topic 6: Problem solving with programming

14 lessons · about 3 h 45 min

Python basics: data types, input and output 16 min
Writing readable code and from algorithms to programs 14 min
Selection: if, elif and else 15 min
Repetition and iteration: for and while 16 min
Manipulating strings 15 min
Formatting output and string methods 16 min
Arrays, 2D arrays and records 16 min
Processing 2D lists and records with loops 18 min
Reading and writing CSV text files 16 min
Validation and authentication 16 min
Subprograms: functions and procedures 17 min
Turtle graphics 16 min
Finding and fixing errors in Python 18 min
Testing programs: test plans and test data 16 min