Overview
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.
The associate's degree in Computer Information Technology may be completed 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 example a student can complete both the networking and security options. Doing so will add an additional one year of full time study. In this example, a student will finish with two associate's degrees.
Narrative
As with the other Computer Information Technology programs at Northampton, the first year of the program is designed to provide a strong foundation of basic PC applications, client operating systems, and the basics of computer networking. In the second year you will focus on the core of computer and network security. Topics include the Security+ and Server+ curriculum, Law and Ethics, and a course in which you will build a number of secure systems and have them tested by your peers.
Completion of the Computer Information Technology program - Security Option, prepares you for an entry-level position as an Information Assurance Specialist, Security Administrator, Security Technologist, or similar.
Career Potential: Information Assurance Specialist, Security Administrator, Security Technologist, or similar.
Courses
First Semester
CISC100 | Computer Technology I | 4 credits |
CISC231 | Data Communication & LANs CCENT1 | 4 credits |
CMTH102 | Speech Communication | 3 credits |
ENGL101 | English I | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Second Semester
CISC105 | Desktop Operating Systems | 4 credits |
CISC186 | Linux Administration | 3 credits |
ENGL151T | English II | 3 credits |
MATH | Mathematics Elective (QL) + | 3 credits |
| Social Science: Society and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT) ++ | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Semester
BUSA221G | Business Communications | 3 credits |
CISC180 | Intro to Network Security | 4 credits |
CISC205 | Introduction to Server Operating Systems | 4 credits |
| Technical Elective +++ | 3/4 credits |
| Elective +++ | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 17-18 |
Fourth Semester
CISC280 | Law & Ethics-Computer Security | 3 credits |
CISC282 | Measure/Counter-Measure | 4 credits |
CISC284 | Ethical Hacking | 3 credits |
| Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB) ++ | 3 credits |
| Arts and Humanities Elective (AH) ++ | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Total Credit Hours: 63-64
+ Mathematics Elective options: MATH140, MATH145, MATH150, MATH160, MATH165, MATH175, MATH176, MATH180, MATH181, MATH202, MATH210, MATH211
++ One of the Arts and Humanities (AH) or Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB) or Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT) Electives must also be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
+++ Technical Elective Options: recommend CISC267, but CISC115, CISC128, CISC136 or CISC254 can be selected.
- Completion of BUSA221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.