Cloud Computing

The Cloud Computing program prepares students to design solutions for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) architectures by provisioning computing instances, establishing virtual private networks, managing databases and storage within a secure online environment. Students produce dynamic solutions responsive to information and computing technology workloads with on-demand pay-as-you-go pricing allowing flexibility for small business, entrepreneurship and enterprise adoption. Industry certifications are embedded to prepare for occupations in Cloud Architect, Cloud Support Associate, Cloud Engineer or Cloud Technicians. Some preparation in information technology or computer programming is recommended. 

Student Learning Outcomes 

● Design Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions by provisioning computing instances, establishing virtual private networks, managing databases and storage within a secure online environment. 

● Analyze performance metrics of a cloud architecture to respond dynamically to information and computing technology workloads and optimize service costs. 

● Collaborate in a team designing business solutions in an industry aligned project. 

As of this submission, there are 12 Los Angeles County Community Colleges (El Camino, ELAC, Glendale, Harbor, Mission, Pierce, LATTC, LA Valley, Mt SAC, Rio Hondo, SMC, WLAC) pursuing the program with a projected enrollment of 1500-1800 and a completion rate of 75% or approximately 1,238 on a yearly basis. This value is tabulated by the approximation of the courses below with current enrollment levels in Fall 2018 (510) and the potential enrollment of upcoming colleges. With the inclusion of Orange County which is approximately ½ of Los Angeles in enrollment, an additional 619 completers are expected for a total of 1,857 yearly completers which would be an 91% increase in completion numbers for this general field of study. The completers would represent 38% of the annual job openings specific to AWS cloud technology and only 18% of the total openings in the field of information and computing technology within the Los Angeles/Orange County regions.

The Cloud Computing program develops skills for the occupations of cloud architect and cloud technician using Amazon Web Services (AWS), the leading cloud computing provider. The program bridges traditional on-premises data center skills of server installation, database management, and networking set-up and cabling into virtualizations of these information and computing technologies over online services. Job preparation will include industry certifications of AWS Cloud Practitioner and AWS Solutions Architect Associate mapped to course work.

The Cloud Computing program consists of four (4) core courses with a minimum of two (2) elective courses to accumulate the total certificate units. The core courses layout the foundational cloud technology knowledge with the initial course (Introduction to Cloud Computing) being a prerequisite for the other three. Colleges offering the program would select the elective emphasis with a minimum additional two courses.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
CIS 192	Introduction to Cloud Computing	3	1
CIS 193	Database Essentials of Amazon Web Services	3	1
CIS 194	Compute Engines in Amazon Services	3	2
CIS 195	Security in Amazon Web Services	3	2

Electives

Total 6 units from one or 2 of the following courses:

CO SCI 801      Introduction to Computer Science -  6 units, S1             

CO SCI 816      Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization-  3 units,  S2                     

CO SCI 832      Advanced Data Structure and Introduction to Databases - 3  units,  S1                    

CO SCI 840      Object Oriented Programming in C++  -  3 units, S 2

The Cloud Computing program is complementary to existing Computer Science and Information Systems Pathways where skill sets and background translate to cloud centers transition to the cloud. Although complementary, many companies are cloud native especially in the start-up and small business utilizing web services. In addition, the Cloud Computing program assist the practical implementation of computer science students’ skills set to provide tangible coding packaged within a cloud infrastructure. Although students in computer science programs may transfer, leveraging a certificate to a part-time job to enter a position as a software developer with cloud implementation skills will increase job prospects.

Similar programs at other colleges in the Los Angeles and Orange County Region. This program submission is on behalf of the participating colleges of the California Cloud Workforce, a Strong Workforce project in Los Angeles County. Santa Monica College is the lead college on the project and curriculum development in coordination with the members of the project. This submission is to support a collaborative certificate program across the partner colleges

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