Computer Information Technology

The Cyber Defense concentration focuses on topics in cyber security and digital forensics. You’ll learn how to fortify computer networks in order to prevent security breaches from cyber terrorists or other intruders. In addition, you’ll learn how to recover data using digital forensic techniques. Develop critical thinking skills and learn by doing within a hands-on lab environment along with real-world internship experiences. Using these skill standards ensures that you’ll have the basic skills that employees need, within a framework that emphasizes the development of teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.

The Data Analytics concentration prepares you for entry-level data analytics positions requiring knowledge, setup, and usage of business intelligence, and data analysis techniques. You’ll have the ability to extract, manipulate, and visualize data in support of organizational decision-making. The Data Analytics concentration combines skills from computer information technology, statistics, and analytics. Course work will include instructional information regarding databases, SQL, analysis of big data, data visualization, programming, mathematical and statistical techniques, and project management. Emphasis is placed on the strong communication skills necessary to interact with key stakeholders to achieve their desired objectives.

The Networking concentration prepares you for employment in the area of network infrastructure. You will complete coursework and hands-on experiences in planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of networks of different sizes. Graduates of the program will be able to design and implement an infrastructure consisting of various networking devices and components such as clients, servers, routers, switches, and cabling systems. You will also be capable of working in entry-level positions of user support, server monitoring, directory services basic administration, basic router and switch configurations, subnetting, and network communications protocols, along with network media installation and testing. Certifications applicable to the concentration may include CompTIA Network+, A+, Security+, CISCO CCNA, Microsoft Desktop OS and Server, among others.

The Programming concentration prepares you for a career as a programmer or software engineer. Emphasis is placed on issues related to knowing how to use the features of object-oriented programming languages like Java, the design and implementation of classes and objects, and the process of developing and maintaining software. Graduates have designed, written, tested, and debugged programs in several major programming languages in both individual and team-oriented settings. The Programming concentration prepares you for entry-level employment in the areas of business software application development and web development in creating dynamic web content and transaction-based web systems. This concentration may include preparation for the Oracle Certified Associate (Java Programmer Certification). 

The Systems Administration and Management concentration focuses on the design, implementation, management, and troubleshooting of computer systems. Required courses prepare students to acquire, install, configure, upgrade, and secure standalone, networked, and mobile systems. You will also develop your teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. 

The Systems Analyst concentration prepares you to solve computer problems and apply computer technology to meet the needs of your organization. The concentration includes diverse courses to enhance communication, research, business, technology, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.