Computer Information Technology: Networking
Business & Technology
Degree awarded: Associate in Applied Science
Northampton's Computer Information Technology program prepares you for employment upon graduation. The first year of the program is designed to provide a strong foundation in basic PC applications, operating systems and client-side scripting. You can then choose from several options for specialization, depending upon your area of interest.
You can complete an associate's degree in Computer Information Technology in two years of full-time study with day and evening classes, or in three or four years of part-time study. If you wish, you can also complete multiple specializations. For instance, a student can complete both the networking and security options. Doing so will add only one year of additional full time study, however you will finish with two associate's degrees, making you an even more competitive candidate in the job market.
The program also offers two specialized diplomas for those students who may already have college degrees but are now seeking to retrain for the Information Technology workforce.
Program Narrative
As with the other Computer Information Technology degrees at Northampton, the first year of this program is designed to provide a strong foundation in basic PC applications, operating systems, and considerable microcomputer experience. In the second year of the program, you will focus on networking courses that teach you to repair, maintain, and administer state-of-the-art network hardware and operating systems along with the applications utilized by these systems.
Upon completion of the Computer Information Technology Program-Networking Option, you will be prepared to gain employment as a PC and network systems technician, network technician, or network administrator. Graduates of the program will be prepared to pass the tests required to obtain the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), Net+ Certification, NOVELL Certified Netware Administrator (CNA) (if CISC 262 is taken), the A+ PC Support Certification, Microsoft MCP and/or MCSA certification, and the security and certification.
Depending on your plans and available time, you can complete this program in two years of full-time study with day and evening classes, or in three years of part-time evening study.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
- Gain fundamental and comprehensive understanding of the current field of computing upon which future growth within the field can be realized.
- Gain computer competencies necessary to compete in the business world.
- Use critical thinking to evaluate computing problems and explore options for their solutions.
- Use effective approaches for problem solving and data modeling.
- Gain experience in solving problems related to business computing and implementing these solutions.
- Develop awareness of the ethical concerns of computing professionals.
Computer Information Technology: Networking Option
Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| First Semester | ||
| CISC 100 | Computer Technology I |
4
|
| CISC 231 | Data Communication and LANs (CCNA I) + |
4
|
| ELEC 130 | Computer Systems & Applications I |
4
|
| ELEC 131 | Introduction to Networking Hardware |
2
|
| ENGL 101C | English I |
3
|
|
17
|
||
| Second Semester | ||
| CISC 105 | Microcomputer Operating Systems |
4
|
| CISC 267 | Internetworking and Routing (CCNA II) + |
4
|
| CMTH 102 | Speech Communication |
3
|
| ENGL 151 | English II |
3
|
| MATH___ | Mathematics Elective (QL) ++ |
3
|
|
17
|
||
| Third Semester | ||
| BUSA 221G | Business Communications |
3
|
| CISC 265 | Networking Architectures |
4
|
| CISC 271 | Intermediate Routing, LAN Switching and WANs (CCNA III & IV)+ |
4
|
| ELEC 254 | Computer Systems and Applications II |
3
|
| ---------- | General Education Elective |
3
|
|
17
|
||
| Fourth Semester | ||
| CISC 272 | Building Scalable Internetworks (CCNP I) |
3
|
| ---------- | CISC or ELEC Elective +++ |
3/4
|
| ---------- | General Education Elective |
3
|
| ---------- | General Education Elective |
3
|
| ---------- | Elective |
3
|
|
15/16
|
||
| Total Credits: |
66/67
|
+ The Cisco Networking Academy Program courses must be taken in sequential order (as indicated).
++ Mathematics Elective options: MATH 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 175, 176, 180, 181, 202, 210, 211
+++ Any CISC or ELEC elective may be taken, but see an adviser for specific certification goals.
- For the General Education Electives, students must take three courses from at least two of the following areas: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Society and Institutions over Time (SIT) or Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).
- One course should be designated as Diversity (D).
- Completion of BUSA 221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.
Career Potential: PC Technician, Network Systems Technician, Network Administrator