AMELIBRARY

Mastering IT Systems: Cambridge International AS & A Level (9626)

Academea Specialist By Academea Specialist

This comprehensive course is designed to guide students through the Cambridge International AS & A Level Information Technology syllabus (9626) for the 2025–2027 exam series. The curriculum moves beyond basic computer literacy to deep technical understanding, covering everything from the data processing cycle to advanced web programming and multimedia production.

Students will master the syllabus’s “Key Concepts”: Hardware and Software, Networks, The Internet, System Life Cycle, and New Technologies . The course balances theoretical knowledge with rigorous practical application, preparing learners to solve complex real-world problems using IT solutions.

Who This Course Is For

  • AS Level Candidates: Students taking Paper 1 (Theory) and Paper 2 (Practical) (Topics 1–11).
  • A Level Candidates: Students taking Paper 3 (Advanced Theory) and Paper 4 (Advanced Practical) (Topics 12–21) or the full A Level route.
  • Future Tech Professionals: Individuals aiming for careers in systems analysis, software development, network administration, or multimedia design.

Prerequisites

  • Learners should have completed a course equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417/0983) .

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Develop robust IT systems using spreadsheets, databases, and sound/video editing software.
  2. Analyze the impact of IT on society, including the digital divide, eSecurity, and digital currencies.
  3. Apply the System Life Cycle (SLC) to manage projects from analysis to evaluation.
  4. Create advanced web solutions using HTML and JavaScript.
  5. Evaluate emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and virtual reality.

Course Blueprint: Curriculum Structure

This course is divided into two major sections: Part 1 (AS Level) and Part 2 (A Level).

PART 1: Core Fundamentals (AS Level Content)

Focus: Data handling, system basics, and practical multimedia skills.

Module 1: Data, Information, and Processing

Goal: Understand how raw data becomes useful information and how it is processed.

  • Lesson 1.1: Data vs. Information: Direct vs. indirect data sources (e.g., questionnaires vs. census data) and quality factors like accuracy and relevance .
  • Lesson 1.2: Encryption: Symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption, SSL/TLS protocols, and their role in data protection .
  • Lesson 1.3: Data Integrity: Validation (range, format, check digits) vs. Verification (double entry, visual check) .
  • Lesson 1.4: Processing Methods: Batch, online, and real-time processing (e.g., control systems in greenhouses or autonomous vehicles) .

Module 2: Hardware and Software

Goal: Explore the infrastructure of IT systems.

  • Lesson 2.1: Computing Power: Mainframes vs. Supercomputers (uses in weather forecasting, census data) .
  • Lesson 2.2: System Software: Compilers, interpreters, and operating systems .
  • Lesson 2.3: Utility Software: Disk defragmentation, anti-virus, and data compression .
  • Lesson 2.4: Software Types: Custom vs. off-the-shelf, proprietary vs. open-source .

Module 3: Monitoring and Control

Goal: Understand how computers sense and interact with the physical world.

  • Lesson 3.1: Sensors: Temperature, pressure, humidity, and calibration methods (one-point, two-point) .
  • Lesson 3.2: Control Loops: Actuators, feedback loops, and creating algorithms for control systems (e.g., smart homes) .

Module 4: Algorithms and Logic

Goal: Develop computational thinking.

  • Lesson 4.1: Flowcharts: Using standard symbols to map decision-making processes .
      • Lesson 4.2: Pseudocode: Writing algorithms using constructs like IF…ELSE, WHILE, and FOR loops .

Module 5: eSecurity and The Digital Divide

Goal: Analyze the social and security implications of IT.

  • Lesson 5.1: Personal Data: Phishing, pharming, and keeping data confidential .
  • Lesson 5.2: Malware: Trojans, worms, ransomware, and prevention strategies .
  • Lesson 5.3: The Digital Divide: Causes (infrastructure, education) and impacts on different demographics .

Module 6: Practical Skills – Spreadsheets

Goal: Master advanced data handling in Excel.

  • Lesson 6.1: Structure & Validation: Freezing panes, protecting cells, and drop-down menus .
  • Lesson 6.2: Advanced Functions: LOOKUP (V/H/X), COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS, and error trapping (IFERROR) .
  • Lesson 6.3: Testing: Creating test plans with normal, abnormal, and extreme data .
  • Lesson 6.4: Modelling: Using Goal Seek and What-If analysis for financial or scientific scenarios .

Module 7: Practical Skills – Databases

Goal: Build relational databases and manage data efficiently.

  • Lesson 7.1: Database Theory: Flat file vs. relational, primary/foreign keys, and Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) .
      • Lesson 7.2: Normalization: Converting data from Unnormalized Form (UNF) to Third Normal Form (3NF) .
  • Lesson 7.3: Practical Implementation: Creating queries (nested, dynamic parameters), forms, and reports .

Module 8: Practical Skills – Sound & Video Editing

Goal: Create professional multimedia assets.

  • Lesson 8.1: Video Editing: Trimming, transitions, captions, pan/zoom, and compression (aspect ratios, formats) .
  • Lesson 8.2: Audio Editing: Noise reduction, normalization, fading, and exporting (MP3, WAV) .

Module 9: AS Level Assessment Prep

Goal: Prepare for Papers 1 and 2.

  • Paper 1 (Theory): Reviewing 70-mark theory questions and command words .
  • Paper 2 (Practical): Managing the 2.5-hour exam, saving files correctly, and handling the “internet ban” during the exam .

PART 2: Advanced Systems (A Level Content)

Focus: IT in society, project management, and advanced programming.

Module 10: IT in Society

Goal: Evaluate the macro impact of technology.

  • Lesson 10.1: Digital Currencies: Blockchain, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), and impacts on global economies .
  • Lesson 10.2: Data Mining: The 6 stages of mining (from business understanding to deployment) and privacy concerns .
  • Lesson 10.3: Social Networking: Impacts on health, polarization, and government censorship .

Module 11: Emerging Technologies

Goal: Investigate the cutting edge of tech.

  • Lesson 11.1: Future Tech: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Holography, and 4th Gen optical storage .
  • Lesson 11.2: Impact Analysis: How these technologies affect medicine, environment, and personal lives .

Module 12: Communications Technology

Goal: Understand network architecture and protocols.

  • Lesson 12.1: Networks: LAN, WAN, VPN, and topologies .
  • Lesson 12.2: Components & Servers: Routers, switches, bridges, and server types (Web, Mail, Proxy) .
  • Lesson 12.3: Protocols: TCP/IP stack, OSI model, packet switching, and IP addressing (IPv4/IPv6) .
      • Lesson 12.4: Mobile & Wireless: 4G/5G, Satellite communication, and GPS .

Module 13: Project Management & System Life Cycle

Goal: Manage IT projects professionally.

  • Lesson 13.1: Project Management: PERT charts, Critical Path Analysis (CPA), and Gantt charts .
      • Lesson 13.2: System Life Cycle (SLC): Analysis methods, Design (DFDs), Development (Agile, Waterfall), and Implementation strategies (Phased, Pilot, Direct) .

Module 14: Advanced Practical – Graphics & Animation

Goal: Create complex visual assets.

  • Lesson 14.1: Vector Graphics: Bezier curves, node editing, and tracing bitmaps .
  • Lesson 14.2: Bitmap Graphics: Layer masks, cloning, and image distortion tools .
  • Lesson 14.3: Animation: Keyframes, tweening (motion/shape), and adjusting frame rates .

Module 15: Advanced Practical – Web Programming

Goal: Build interactive web applications.

  • Lesson 15.1: JavaScript Basics: Variables, loops (for, while), and arrays .
  • Lesson 15.2: DOM Manipulation: getElementById, changing styles/visibility, and innerHTML .
  • Lesson 15.3: Events: Handling onclick, onmouseover, onload, and timing events (setTimeout) .

Module 16: Advanced Practical – Data Analysis

Goal: sophisticated data visualization.

  • Lesson 16.1: Advanced Data: Merging data sources and creating Pivot Charts for visualization .
  • Lesson 16.2: Mail Merge: Conditional fields (If…Then…Else), skipping records, and connecting to data sources .

Module 17: A Level Assessment Prep

Goal: Prepare for Papers 3 and 4.

  • Paper 3 (Advanced Theory): Mastering 70-mark theory questions on new tech and networks .
  • Paper 4 (Advanced Practical): Strategies for the 2.5-hour advanced tasks (Graphics, Animation, Web Programming)