Information Technology

The Certificate in Information Technology prepares students to either enter the workforce as an entry-level computer or network support technician or pursue a bachelor's degree in information systems. Computer support technicians provide technical assistance to computer users. They may answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, or via telephone or electronically. They may provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. Computer network technicians analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. They perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption. Graduates of the CoA Information Technology will be prepared and eligible to sit for CompTIA's A+ and Network+ certification exams. Optional elective courses prep students for CompTIA's Server+ and Security+ exams

Industry Staffing: Labor Market Information SOC Description Employment 2016 Employment 2021 5 Year Change 5 Year % Change 15-1151 Computer User Support Specialists 317 345 28 9% 15-1152 Computer Network Support Specialist 119 139 20 17% 15-1142 Network and Computer System Administrators 176 193 17 10% Over the past year all Information Technology and Computer Science courses have gone through major revisions and have been, or will be, approved for offering during the spring and fall 2014 semesters. New courses are being created to address the new ICT technologies (cyber security and digital forensics) and prepare students for the required skills to work with these new technologies. Several outdated courses have been deactivated. The CoA in Information Technology is one of the “new” degree programs the College is hoping to offer. The addition of the Information Technology CoA program to the related CompTIA program, will strengthen the department’s breath of offerings in the ICT sector.

Employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow over 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software. According to EDD (Employment Development Department) and EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialist International) projection numbers for California-wide employment as “Computer Support Specialists” and “Computer Specialist” in general is expected to grow at double-digit rates through 2026. Employment for “Computer and Information Systems Managers” will increase by nearly 20% during the same time period. Program Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the program, students will: Apply fundamental knowledge of computing and the current use of technology techniques, skills, and tools necessary for the computing practice. Demonstrate the ability to locate, critically evaluate and solve business problems with technology solutions using qualitative and quantitative information. Demonstrate a fundamental ability to identify and analyze user needs in the selection, creation, evaluation and administration of computer-based systems. Provide information technology technical assistance to computer and network users. Demonstrate appreciation of the IT career field and the need to be lifelong learners.

Students must complete the core courses listed below for the Certificate of Achievement in Information Technology. Students must also obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 with a grade of C or higher in all courses required for the major. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in this major. REQUIRED CORE COURSES 13 UNITS Introduction to Programming Methodologies using Python COMP B10 3 Introduction to Computer Information Systems COMP B2 3 CompTIA A+ COMP B34 4 CompTIA Networking Technologies - Network+ COMP B33 3 ELECTIVES: SELECT 2 COURSE (6 UNITS) Intro to Systems Analysis & Design COMP B22 3 CompTIA Network Security - Security+ COMP B31 3 Introduction to Cyber Security: Ethical Hacking COMP B36 3 Digital Forensics COMP B35 3 SELECT 1 COURSE (3-4 UNITS) Elementary Probability and Statistics Math B22 4 Finite Mathematics Math B23 3 Basic Functions and Calculus for Business Math B2 4 Analytic Geometry/Calculus I Math B6A 4 Total 22 - 23 UNITS