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. The program also offers a specialized diploma for those students who may already have college degrees but are now seeking to retrain for the Information Technology workforce.
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 CISC262 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.
Career Potential: PC Technician, Network Systems Technician, Network Administrator
Courses
First Semester
CISC100 | Computer Technology I | 4 credits |
CISC231 | Data Communication & LANs CCENT1 | 4 credits |
CISC136 | PC Support and Troubleshooting | 4 credits |
CISC137 | Introduction to Networking Hardw are | 2 credits |
ENGL101 | English I | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second Semester
CISC105 | Desktop Operating Systems | 4 credits |
CISC267 | Routing & Switching Esntl CCENT2 | 4 credits |
CMTH102 | Speech Communication | 3 credits |
ENGL151T | English II | 3 credits |
CISC254 | Server I | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Third Semester
BUSA221G | Business Communications | 3 credits |
CISC265 | Windows Server Administration | 4 credits |
CISC271 | Intermediate Routing & Switching , Interconnectivity, and Troubleshooting CCNA R&S | 4 credits |
MATH | Mathematics Elective (QL)++ | 3 credits |
| General Education Elective | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Fourth Semester
CISC272 | Building Scalable Internetworks (CCNP-Route) | 3 credits |
CISC or ELEC | Elective +++ | 3/4 credits |
| General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| Elective | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Total Credit Hours: 66-67
CISC231, CISC267, CISC271, CISC272: The Cisco Networking Academy Program courses must be taken in sequential order (as indicated).
++ Mathematics Elective options: MATH140, MATH145, MATH150, MATH160, MATH165, MATH175, MATH176, MATH180, MATH181, MATH202, MATH210, MATH211
+++ 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 and Global Awareness (D).
- Completion of BUSA221G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement.